The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Liberty Elementary School
Liberty Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in south Salem, part of the Salem-Keizer School District 24J. It is a regular public school, neither a charter nor a magnet. The school sits in a residential area of the city, which itself blends state government, agricultural food processing, and residential neighborhoods. Salem is Oregon’s second-largest city and its capital, with a historic downtown near the State Capitol and Willamette River, but the broader city is car-dependent and suburban in character outside the core. Families considering Liberty should know that the district has been through recent changes: voters approved a large construction bond in 2022 for safety and classroom upgrades across all schools, and the school board has closed several elementary schools since 2023 to address budget shortfalls. A new three-year strategic plan was approved in 2025, focusing on academic excellence, belonging, and workforce readiness.
The student body at Liberty is mid-sized for an elementary school and ethnically diverse. The largest group of students is white, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, with smaller numbers of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, two or more races, Asian, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a significant portion of families have lower household incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available from the source, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the support systems in place for those groups.
State testing results from the most recent year show that overall performance across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint among the districts in Marion County. In English language arts, about a third of students met the state proficiency standard across grades three through five, with third graders performing somewhat higher than fourth graders. In math, roughly a quarter of students met the standard, with grades three and four at a similar level and grade five slightly lower. In science, which is tested only in fifth grade, about a quarter of students were proficient. These figures represent a single year of data, so no trend is available. A parent may want to follow up with the school about how they address the learning gaps these numbers suggest.
The school does not offer programs like AP or dual-credit, as it serves only elementary grades. Likewise, there is no graduation rate to report, since Liberty sends its students on to middle school and high school elsewhere. The school environment data, including discipline, course access, staffing ratios, and chronic absenteeism, was not available, making it harder to assess the day-to-day climate directly. A parent considering Liberty may want to schedule a visit or speak with current families to learn about class sizes, enrichment offerings, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level.
Housing in the area around the school reflects a market where home values are near the state benchmark, and rents have been rising moderately. The broader economic context shows that the national median household income is moderately above the national level, and unemployment and mortgage rates are at typical levels.
For a family looking at south Salem, Liberty Elementary is a neighborhood school with a diverse student body and a student population where many families qualify for income-based meal support. The academic proficiency numbers suggest that a majority of students are not meeting state standards in reading, math, and science, and the school’s district has been navigating budget constraints and school closures. A parent whose priority is strong test scores or a range of program options may want to explore the school further to understand its instructional strategies and how it serves students who need more support. For families who value a regular public school with a mix of backgrounds in a growing city, Liberty offers a straightforward elementary experience, with the understanding that the academic results are an area to watch closely.
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