Salem Public Schools, Salem Academy Make Strong Strides In MCAS Results

SALEM, MA —As Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test scores from last spring largely stagnated across the state — and remained well behind pre-COVID learning levels — Salem Public Schools officials and Salem Academy celebrated strides in the results released this week.

This is the first year that MCAS proficiency will not be a graduation requirement for high school seniors, but students continue to take the test that is used to help determine successes and areas of improvement for districts across the state.

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Salem Public Schools middle school students made what officials called "outstanding gains" with middle school grades 3-8 English Language Arts scores improving "significantly."

"These results serve as evidence that our efforts to provide middle-level learners with more meaningful, project-based, deeper learning experiences are taking hold," Superintendent Steve Zrike said. "These results also speak to the talents, efforts and commitment of our educators who know how to best to support the individualized needs of our students."

The proficiency rate for ELA in grades 6-8 improved from 20 percent in 2024 to 33 percent in 2025 while its student growth percentile jumped from 47 to 59. Middle school science saw a 6 percent growth from 23 percent in 2024 to 29 percent last year, while math proficiency improved from 16 percent to 19 percent.

Proficiency rates at Salem High School saw declines — with ELA scores down from 50 percent to 43 percent, math from 42 percent to 41 percent and science from 44 percent to 41 percent. Officials note that "student growth percentiles" improved in ELA from 57 to 66 percent and in math from 65 to 67 percent.

"These record and historic high growth results reflect that our high school students are making more progress than high schoolers statewide who started at a similar performance level on their previous MCAS test in 8th grade," Zrike said.

Salem Academy was named a School of Recognition by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The honor, school officials said, highlights a "small number of schools that are making strong progress toward state targets, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) and math
achievement on MCAS."

"This recognition reflects the collective effort of our students, families, and staff," said Stephanie Callahan, Executive Director. "From strengthening academics to reducing absenteeism and building a safe, supportive school culture, we are focused on ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

"We are proud of the progress we've made and look forward to continuing this important work.

Callahan said Salem Academy students achieved "impressive growth" across multiple grade levels.

In middle school, sixth grade experienced a 20 percent increase in the number meeting or exceeding expectations in math, while eighth grade saw gains of over 10 percent in ELA, math, and science proficiency.

High school students also made progress, with 10th grade showing more than a 10 percent increase in the number of students demonstrating math proficiency.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)