Best Public Schools in Salem, OR

The city of Salem, Oregon is home to a diverse array of 58 schools, including 38 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Salem-Keizer School District 24J. The district serves a student population with a high rate of economic disadvantage, as indicated by the 67% free/reduced lunch rate across the schools.

Several schools stand out for their exceptional academic performance, including Early College High School, which ranks 2nd out of 270 Oregon high schools, and Howard Street Charter and Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School, which rank 15th and 34th out of 380 and 371 Oregon middle schools, respectively. These charter schools demonstrate strong student achievement, with proficiency rates well above the district and state averages. In contrast, many of the district's elementary and middle schools with high poverty rates struggle with low academic performance, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.

The district as a whole faces several persistent challenges, including a 34.3% chronic absenteeism rate and below-average 11th-grade proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. While some middle schools, such as Judson Middle School and Straub Middle School, demonstrate strong academic results, others, like Stephens Middle School and Waldo Middle School, lag behind, suggesting the need for a closer examination of middle school practices and interventions across the district.