The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hammond Elementary School
Hammond Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in the Salem-Keizer School District 24J, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits in a neighborhood on the northeast side of Salem, Oregon’s state capital, a city that blends state government, a public university campus, and agricultural food-processing industries. The broader Salem area has grown steadily, and the district itself has been navigating significant changes: voters approved a major construction bond in 2022 for safety upgrades and classroom improvements across all schools, while the district has also closed several elementary schools in recent years to address budget shortfalls. A new three-year strategic plan approved in 2025 focuses on academic excellence, belonging, and workforce readiness. These district-level shifts may affect school assignment boundaries and resource allocation for Hammond families.
Hammond’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with white students forming the second-largest group, followed by smaller shares of Asian students and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This demographic profile is common in Salem-Keizer elementary schools, and it shapes the peer environment a student experiences day to day.
State assessment results provide the clearest academic picture. On Oregon’s statewide tests, Hammond’s proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science are notably lower than the median for districts in Marion County. In math, proficiency rates decline from third through fifth grade, with the fifth-grade rate especially low. In English language arts, the fifth-grade rate is higher than the third-grade and fourth-grade rates, but still below what many parents would hope to see. Science results for fifth graders are also low. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among elementary schools in Marion County districts. A parent exploring this school would want to look into what supports are in place for students who need extra help and how the school is working to raise achievement. The data covers only one year, so trends over time are not yet available. Because Hammond is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report.
Housing in the area reflects typical conditions for Salem. Home values and rents are moderately priced relative to the national market, and the cost of buying is higher than renting at current mortgage rates. Salem’s economy is anchored by state government, Salem Health, and food-processing employers, with a national unemployment rate in the moderate range.
For a family considering Hammond, the academic picture is the central fact. Proficiency rates are well below county averages, and the school serves a population with high economic need. These are not signals of a struggling staff or community, but they do mean a parent should ask questions about intervention programs, class size, specialist support, and the school’s approach to raising outcomes. The Salem-Keizer district’s recent strategic plan suggests a district-level focus that could eventually reach Hammond, but the school’s current state assessment results are what they are. A family that values a diverse, economically mixed student body and a neighborhood school setting may still find Hammond a good fit, especially if they are prepared to be active partners in their child’s academic growth.
See more original research from School Decision →