Summary:
ZIP code 97304 has two middle schools — Walker Middle School and Straub Middle School — both in Salem-Keizer School District 24J in Salem, Oregon, and both serving grades 6–8. They are nearly identical in size (571 and 568 students) and serve very high-need populations, with free or reduced lunch around 88.6% at each. The district itself ranks 105th of 141 in Oregon with a 1-star rating, but both schools earn 3 stars and rank around the 63rd–69th percentile statewide.
Straub is the more consistent performer. It ranked higher than Walker in each of the last three years, has lower chronic absenteeism (31.1% vs. 35.7%, and below the state's 33.5%), and higher all-grade math (36.8% vs. 35.0%) and science (27.3% vs. 23.8%). Its 8th graders scored 46.3% proficient in ELA, 41.1% in math (11.1 points above the state), and 27.3% in science. Walker's standout is 7th grade: 58.3% proficient in ELA and 44.8% in math, the highest grade-subject results of the two schools and well above state averages. Walker also has a slightly higher all-grade ELA rate (46.0% vs. 45.0%), a smaller student-teacher ratio (20.8 vs. 22.1), and lower per-student spending ($19,437 vs. $20,212).
Both schools beat the district in every reported subject and grade level — a notable result given the high poverty rates and the low-ranked district. Science is the shared weak spot: both trail the state's 30.6%, with Straub close at 27.3% and Walker further back at 23.8%. Overall, Straub is the stronger all-around school on math, science, attendance, and 8th-grade outcomes, while Walker offers an exceptionally strong 7th-grade cohort.
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