Best Public Schools in Zip Code 97301

The 97301 zip code area of Salem, Oregon is home to 17 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Salem-Keizer School District 24J. While the district as a whole is ranked 106 out of 140 school districts in Oregon and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, two charter schools in the area stand out as high-performing: Howard Street Charter and Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School.

These two charter schools consistently rank among the top middle schools in Oregon, with 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger. Their students significantly outperform the district and state averages on standardized tests, with over 60% proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In contrast, the majority of schools in the 97301 zip code area perform significantly below the state averages, with most schools having less than 50% proficiency rates. The high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from around 50% to over 70%, indicate a high level of economic disadvantage among the student populations.

The data suggests that the charter school model may be more effective in this area, potentially due to factors like smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, or increased autonomy. However, the consistently low test scores across the majority of schools, coupled with the high rates of economic disadvantage, indicate that the 97301 zip code area faces significant educational challenges. Addressing the needs of these underperforming, high-poverty schools should be a priority for the district and local policymakers.