The top reported proficiency rate is 11% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hallman Elementary School
Hallman Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Salem, Oregon, as part of the Salem-Keizer School District, a large district that is itself one of the city’s major employers. The school sits in a residential area of the state capital, a city built around state government, food processing, and a public university campus. Salem grew steadily over recent years and continues to develop along the Interstate 5 corridor, with an Amazon fulfillment center among newer employers. The district, meanwhile, has faced financial pressures: voters approved a construction bond in 2022 for safety and classroom upgrades across all schools, but the board has also closed several elementary schools in consecutive years to address budget shortfalls. A new three-year strategic plan approved in 2025 prioritizes academic excellence, belonging, and workforce readiness. These shifts in boundaries and resources are directly relevant to families considering a neighborhood school like Hallman.
Hallman is a regular public school. Its enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, followed by smaller shares of white students, students of two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans or English learner status was not available in the source material; a parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
State assessment results for the 2024-2025 school year, the only year available in the source data, show that proficiency rates across reading, math, and science were low. In third-grade reading, about seven percent of students met the state standard; in fourth-grade reading, about eleven percent; and in fifth-grade reading, about sixteen percent. Math proficiency was approximately ten percent in third grade, nine percent in fourth grade, and less than five percent in fifth grade where the data was reported as a suppressed range. Science proficiency in fifth grade was about five percent. When compared to other districts in Marion County, Hallman’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school environment data, including discipline rates, course access, staffing, and attendance figures, was not present in the source material. Likewise, no program offerings were listed. A family assessing fit will find Hallman to be a neighborhood school in a district undergoing both investment and consolidation, with student demographics that reflect the broader Salem community. The academic proficiency data suggests that the school is in the early stages of addressing student achievement; families may want to discuss interventions and supports directly with the school to understand what is in place.
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