Graduation Rates Higher, Dropouts Lower for Second Straight Year at Salem Public Schools
SALEM (May 2, 2025) – Salem Public Schools saw its four-year graduation rate increase to 81.6 percent, its highest rate since 2017-18 and up by a full percentage point, while its drop-out rate decreased for the second straight year, to 1.8 percent. Both metrics now are better than they were pre-pandemic, when the graduation rate was 80.5 percent and the drop-out rate was 4.5%.
This data was shared Thursday night by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which released graduation and dropout rates statewide.
Salem’s drop-out rate declined from 2.8 percent in 2024 to 1.8 percent – its lowest rate in a decade. It has already exceeded the goal of 2.0 percent called for in the District’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan.
With Salem High School’s graduation rate increasing for the second consecutive year, the District is moving closer to its goal of 88 percent in the Strategic Plan.
“This is very much a collaborative effort between our staff, students and families, each of whom are integral in students staying in school and earning a diploma,” said Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike. “While we still have ground to make regarding our graduation rate, we are certainly headed in the right direction and will continue to prioritize the value of graduating.”
“I hope everyone in Salem takes pride in this accomplishment by our students,” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo, who chairs the Salem School Committee. “These data points reflect improving levels of student engagement and enthusiasm for being in school, and are a strong validation of the work underway by our educators, staff, and community partners to strengthen Salem Public Schools. As a Salem Public School parent myself, I couldn’t be more excited about the positive trajectory of our schools.”
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
