2024 Best Schools in the Salem Area

• Salem, OR•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  72 reviews

Alum: Blanchet Catholic was a unique experience. My class personally was great--small and tight-knit with friendly people. However, the classes below my senior class did have friendly people but some unbearably racist and rude individuals as well. Just stay away from these people and surround yourself with those who are respectful. As far as education goes here, the teachers are a hit or miss. The English department had one good teacher who left recently, the other is good at times but is unfortunately lazy most of the time. The science department is solid with experienced teachers. The math department is mostly solid, however, the Pre-Algebra/Algebra 1 teacher (not sure what she teaches now) is a little on the iffy side... picking obvious favorites and disrespecting students who learn math at a slower pace. Overall, BCS is a fine school but I feel like it's not much different from a public school experience. They claim to be "college prep" but offer little and unpopular AP courses.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A

• Students 320

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  57 reviews

Junior: My experience at Early College High School has been overall very good. I am currently a junior at this school and I have been here since freshman year. The academics here are great and they are a little more rigorous than most other high schools, to prepare you for going to college by junior year. I definitely appreciate and love the fact that this school can give you a total of two free years of college starting your junior year. I appreciate the required AVID class as our home room class because it gives us time to do college prep with a teacher in the room who can help us at any time. We take time to research colleges, write college essays, submit applications, and any other prep to do before college starts the next year. Over all this school is very much worth it and fun, but the only down side is the minimal amount of clubs and electives since it is a small school. It also does not have any sports teams.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A

• Students 208

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  399 reviews

Junior: The management at this school is excellent. The organizational structure is very good and the teachers work together a lot. The environment is very fun. The teachers and staff are very supportive of students and especially within the IB program, it's easy to make strong relationships with fun teachers that really care about their students. The quality of education is very good, aside from the lag that came with coming back from online school, but that goes for any school. Overall, South is an excellent high school!... Read 399 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,204

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

High School Sophomore: I loved attending Duniway. I would always wake up excited to go to school!! I would definitely go there again if I could.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 809

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Salem, OR•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  9 reviews

Alum: Over my fours years at Livingstone Adventist Academy, I couldn't have asked for anything more in a private high school. The feel was not that of a large school, but of an interconnected family who knew everyone. The teachers there genuinely care about your success and are there for you at all times. If you ever have a question, they are there for you to come to them. The other fellow students there are also very accepting and understanding to all of those that come in regardless of their previous background. I wouldn't trade my relationships and experiences I made there for anything!... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 144

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Silver Falls School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

High School Senior: I personally love Silverton High. Our school is full of spirit, great athletic programs, and supportive teachers. One downfall is that, being in such a small community, there are a lot of favoritism and cliques -- students that aren't part of a popular family, extremely outgoing, or best friends with the star of the football team often complain about this. However, I've never been to a school other than Silverton, so maybe that's just something that happens at all high schools. The classes here are good as long as you personally challenge yourself and take the harder ones. 90% of the teachers are kind, supportive, and challenging. I have found that the more advanced classes I take, the better the teachers are, and not just academically. As far as course types go, there are a lot of choices in the science department and more options are added almost every year, but some are taken out as well. One major disappointment for me this year was when the AP Psychology teacher moved, so I won't be able to take AP Psych next year. Like I said before, school spirit is definitely not lacking. Our student section is always huge at sport events, and assemblies are always a blast. We have fun dress up days on Homecoming week, which is something I always look forward to. The campus is beautiful and new. I would highly recommend Silverton to anyone who loves to be social and get involved with the community, but not as much to a quiet person who is looking for a solely academic experience.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 77

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Silver Falls School District, OR•

• 1-8

• grade A minus

• Students 65

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 186

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  404 reviews

Alum: I loved it, I was super involved in the music program and made lots of friends and connections there. I made so many memories with so many wonderful people and teachers and I couldn't have asked for a more amazing experience. All the teachers I had were amazing and friendly and it was easy to make friends with other kids! I wish though that the administration would be better about informing students and parents about things, I felt they lacked in communication.... Read 404 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,681

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 553

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Silver Falls School District, OR•

• K-8

• grade A minus

• Students 201

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 330

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 504

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 348

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I love all the faculty members of Columbus. They are on top of bullying! The principle is outside everyday doing crosswalk duty. They have many assemblies and always encourage parent involvement. The students and teachers love my daughter and always comment how they love her outfits and she is quite special. I have had to address issues with the teachers and they are very open and on top of problem solving.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 435

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 502

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 95

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 559

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 408

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• McMinnville School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  289 reviews

Senior: Attending McMinnville High School has been an amazing experience. I can confidently say all staff are there to support the students. I have amazing relationships with multiple different teachers and advisors. The staff is dedicated to making high school a great experience for all students by planning inclusive activities, creative projects, events to acknowledge the mental health of each student, and much more. Three years ago they sent out a survey to students allowing them to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the dress code. Because they allowed us to use our voices, students were able to change the dress code regulations and create a more comfortable learning environment where students are able to express themselves better. McMinnville High School is all about the students, and I'm proud to be a grizzly!... Read 289 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 2,226

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Silver Falls School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: It is my son's first year here and we were so excited for him to be accepted. The school staff takes a personal interest in each child and the family. They are the most caring staff I have ever come across in a school. They still take part in music/arts/PE on a regular basis.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 122

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Salem-Keizer School District, OR•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Great school. Teachers are excellent; involved, motivated and care about the kids. My son has really done well at this school and loves attending. Good parental involvement.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Cascade School District, OR•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: great school loved it here. teachers really care about the kids, work gets you ready for life, and the staff is amazing. if i had to do school all over i would never go anywhere else.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 636

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• North Santiam School District, OR•

• K-8

• grade B+

• Students 336

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Silver Falls School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  172 reviews

Alum: I had a great experience at silverton high school. Teachers and staff were great, they really helped prepare me for college. I played a lot of sports and had so much fun competing. The school itself and the facilities that we had available to us were some of the best in our league. Overall, our sports teams compete very well, especially our basketball and football teams. I have been back to watch some of my former classmate compete, and it makes me miss being out there with them. The community and people in this small town had made my time at silverton high school a time that I will never forget.... Read 172 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1