The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Houck Middle School
Houck Middle School serves grades six through eight in Salem, part of the Salem-Keizer School District, Oregon’s second-largest school system. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school enrolls a large student body for a middle school, drawing from residential neighborhoods in the city. Salem itself is the state capital, a mix of government offices, food-processing industries, Willamette University, and residential areas spread across the Willamette Valley. The city is car-dependent outside the downtown core.
The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of white students and smaller numbers of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, two or more races, Asian, Black, or American Indian or Alaska Native. A considerable majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a level that places the school in a higher-poverty context relative to many in the area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports and services.
State testing results for the school year ending in 2025 are the most recent available. In English language arts, rates of proficiency were below the state midpoint across all three grade levels. In math, proficiency rates were also below the state midpoint for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Science results for eighth graders followed a similar pattern. Compared to other schools in districts across Marion County, Houck Middle School’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile. Because only one year of data is available, it is not possible to assess a trend; a parent may want to ask the school how it is working to improve these outcomes.
As a middle school that stops at grade eight, Houck does not report a graduation rate. The school’s grade band means that measure does not apply to it.
The district has been under financial pressure in recent years. Publicly reported accounts say the Salem-Keizer school board voted to close four elementary schools between 2023 and 2024 to address budget shortfalls. Those closures have shifted attendance boundaries and commute patterns for families in affected neighborhoods. In May 2022, voters approved a construction bond that funds safety upgrades, classroom improvements, and projects across all district schools, though it also raised property taxes. In June 2025, the board approved a new three-year strategic plan emphasizing academic excellence, belonging, and workforce readiness. These district-level developments matter for Houck families, as they shape resources, school assignments, and the broader educational environment.
Housing in the area around the school carries a cost that is modestly below the state average for homes, while rents are roughly in line with national norms. The area’s unemployment rate has been stable near the national figure. These conditions suggest a relatively attainable market for entry-level buyers and renters, though the district’s bond-related tax increase is an added carrying cost for homeowners.
Houck Middle School sits in a setting where academic proficiency rates are lower than those of many neighboring districts, and the student body comes from a community with above-average economic need. For a family, the key question is what kind of instructional support and enrichment the school provides to move students toward grade-level standards. The absence of data on special education and English learner populations means a parent should investigate those services directly. The school’s size and diversity can offer a rich peer environment, but the test scores indicate that many students are not yet meeting academic benchmarks. A family considering Houck would want to understand the school’s specific strategies for literacy and math intervention, enrichment programming, and how it supports students who are behind.
See more original research from School Decision →