Public schools in Salem, MA
12 open public schools with an address in Salem, operated by 2 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
4,311
12 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
11.9:1
Massachusetts median 11.8:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Salem public schools
The federal directory lists 12 public schools in Salem, MA: 6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 1 combined or other. The 12 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 4,311 students, an average of 359 per school. The largest campus is Salem High (952 students), and the largest elementary school is Witchcraft Heights (455).
Salem operates the most schools here (11), plus 1 charter, service, or other agency. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 11.9:1, similar to the statewide school median of 11.8:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 4 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 2 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 4 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
School districts and agencies serving Salem
Elementary schools in Salem
6| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Salem | PK–05 | 410 | 12.5:1 | |
| Bentley Academy Innovation School Salem | PK–05 | 286 | 14.3:1 | |
| Carlton Salem | KG–05 | 247 | 10.4:1 | |
| Horace Mann Laboratory Salem | PK–05 | 293 | 11.9:1 | |
| Saltonstall School Salem | KG–05 | 412 | 13.2:1 | |
| Witchcraft Heights Salem | KG–05 | 455 | 13.7:1 |
Middle schools in Salem
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collins Middle Salem | 06–08 | 611 | 12.6:1 |
High schools in Salem
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Liberty Innovation School Salem | 09–12 | 36 | 8.1:1 | |
| Salem Academy Charter School Salem Academy Charter (District) · Charter | 06–12 | 480 | 11:1 | |
| Salem High Salem | 09–12 | 952 | 9.8:1 | |
| Salem Prep High School Salem | 08–12 | 23 | 11.8:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Salem
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Early Childhood Salem | PK–PK | 106 | 9.2:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White36.5%
- Hispanic48.7%
- Black7.4%
- Asian2.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial4.1%
Enrollment-weighted across 12 Salem schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (4,311 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Salem
How many public schools are in Salem, MA?
The current NCES directory lists 12 open public schools with a location address in Salem: 6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 1 combined or other. Together they reported 4,311 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Salem?
Schools with an address in Salem belong to 2 education agencies, led by Salem (11 schools), Salem Academy Charter (District) (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Salem?
Salem High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Salem, with 952 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Salem?
Yes. 1 of the 12 public schools in Salem are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Salem Academy Charter School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Salem schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Salem public schools is 11.9:1, similar to the Massachusetts school median of 11.8:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Salem guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Massachusetts cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Massachusetts cities