Success in Salem-Keizer: The Next Chapter

As we reflect on the past year and look ahead, we are celebrating our successes, acknowledging challenges, and reaffirming our shared commitment to our students, families, staff, and members of our community who all make Salem-Keizer such a wonderful place to live, grow, learn and contribute.

First Annual State of the District Event

In February 2025, our district held our first State of the District event. This new annual event brings together leaders, families and our community in a candid conversation about progress toward our goals and vision for the future.

Over the next few years, Salem-Keizer will make historic investments in teaching and learning. This means adding high-quality curricula to our schools and investing in the professional learning our educators need and deserve. We will continue to invest in every dimension of safety, including expanding and differentiating support for our students’ mental and behavioral health needs. Finally, we will continue to invest in and improve our nationally-recognized layered safety systems.

Public education is our shared responsibility. Regardless of differences, we must all believe in providing every child with a great education. When our children succeed, our entire community thrives.
Superintendent Andrea Castañeda
Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Chapter 1: Rich Learning Experiences for All Students

Salem-Keizer schools provide students with opportunities that help them grow into successful community members. A great example, featured in a YouTube video, is Carlos Martinez Rangel, a former student who now teaches dual-language at McKay High School. He was once a newcomer at Waldo Middle School, where caring educators supported his journey. His story represents our district’s commitment to fostering future educators from within the community.

A Commitment to Inclusion and Quality Education

Collectively as a district, we are working hard to improve education for all students, but there is still more to do. Educators are dedicated to making classrooms more inclusive and effective. By focusing on student needs and teacher support, the district aims to create a learning environment where every child can succeed.

To improve learning, teachers need high-quality curriculum materials. As a district, we are addressing gaps in instructional content, ensuring that within four years, every grade level will have modern, standards-aligned teaching materials. Professional development and dual-language program expansion are also key priorities. A new assessment system helps track student reading progress and provides teachers with actionable insights. Recent data shows reading scores and attendance need improvement, emphasizing the urgency of these efforts.

Chapter 2: A Well-Run School District That Is Safe and Stable

Recently, a fifth-grade student named Korbin asked Superintendent Castañeda what it’s like to lead the district. In response, she shared that while she loves her job, the hardest part is not being able to give everyone everything they need. Leadership requires balancing today’s needs with future challenges, respecting the past while pushing for change and celebrating success while demanding improvement. This balance is especially important in school safety, financial stability and setting goals for progress.

Improving Layered Safety to Keep Our Students and Staff Safe

The district has made three big safety system improvements this year. First, high school students have learned new habits, using only 14 designated entry doors instead of 127, making campuses more secure. Second, weapon detection systems have been installed in most high schools and may expand to middle schools. Third, the district is addressing cell phone distractions, ensuring schools remain focused on learning.

Achieving and Holding onto Financial Stability

As the second-largest school district and one of the largest employers in our area, we must remain financially stable. Our district manages a $1.1 billion budget and has balanced expenses and revenue for the first time since 2021-22. While state funding won’t cover all growing costs, careful financial planning allows our district to invest wisely while staying sustainable. Tough choices are necessary, but stability and support for staff and students remain top priorities.

Setting Goals and Tracking Progress

Strong organizations measure their progress and hold themselves accountable. Salem-Keizer set five key goals: attendance, 3rd-grade reading, 9th-grade on track to graduation rates, student belonging, and graduation rates. A year into tracking progress, improvements are happening, but not quickly enough. Our district is committed to facing the truth about its strengths and weaknesses and making the necessary changes to ensure success.

Chapter 3: Celebrating Our Strengths

Salem-Keizer Public Schools offers a nationally recognized free public education experience where all students can thrive academically, creatively and socially. With 65 schools and numerous districtwide programs, dedicated educators welcome students from diverse backgrounds and provide robust opportunities for growth. Our schools offer one of the state’s widest selections of career-readiness programs, comprehensive K-12 music and arts access and passionate instruction across all core academic disciplines. These interconnected programs are thoughtfully designed to prepare students to graduate, prepared for a successful life.

Award-Winning Music Programs

Salem-Keizer has a long history of excellence in the arts, with students earning 133 state championships in band, choir, and orchestra since 2000. Our district's talented middle and high school musicians continue to impress with performances that showcase their dedication and skill. In addition, more than 180 students were selected for All-State music ensembles this year, and McKay High School’s a cappella group competed at the national level. These achievements are just one example of the many strengths that make the Salem-Keizer community proud.

Students in Salem-Keizer Shine in Athletics and Academics

Thousands of students participate in athletics, with teams regularly earning league and state titles. Academically, every high school has teams recognized as Academic All-State. The district’s AVID program prepares students for college and careers, and as featured in this YouTube video, the Unified program fosters inclusion, with West Salem High School receiving national recognition from Special Olympics and ESPN.

A National Model for Dual Language

The district values bilingualism and offers a growing dual language program in English and Spanish. This year, the program expanded to eight more schools, now serving 6,500 students across 31 schools. Partnerships with local universities help train bilingual staff, ensuring students receive high-quality language instruction. Last spring, 489 students earned the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy, proving their proficiency in another language and setting them up for future success.

Career and Technical Education That Changes Lives

Salem-Keizer’s Career and Technical Education programs give students hands-on learning experiences in fields like culinary arts, mechanics, business, and emergency services. Over 7,700 high school students take CTE courses, preparing them for future careers. The program is highly effective, with over 94% of students who complete at least two CTE courses graduating on time.

On-Time Graduation

Graduation is the ultimate achievement for students, marking years of hard work and dedication. While some students face challenges reaching this milestone, perseverance and support from teachers and families help them succeed. In 2024, 79.4% of seniors graduated on time, and our district remains committed to improving this rate each year by addressing barriers and providing the necessary support for students to reach their goals.

Chapter 4: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Our Students

Salem-Keizer's new K-12 Day Treatment program is providing safe and welcoming spaces for students who previously struggled to find belonging. This program, launched in July of 2024, provides short-term therapeutic and educational support for students struggling with behavioral health challenges. In just months, many students in the program have gained stability, improved communication, and returned to their home school ready to learn. Nearly 40 students have already benefited from this program, with 40 more expected to receive support before next fall.

Improving Support for Students with Significant Behavioral Needs

Salem-Keizer has focused on improving student behavior support, launching the day treatment program, and strengthening Behavioral Intervention Centers. The Behavioral Health Coaching & Training Academy has already trained over 700 staff in safety, de-escalation, and intervention techniques. Next year, new Behavior Intervention Trainers will provide direct support to schools. Our district is also expanding behavioral health services, with a new Behavioral Health Center set to open at Straub Middle School by January 2026, more than doubling the current capacity to serve students in need.

Behavioral Health Program at CTEC

Students want mental health to be a top priority and are stepping up to help. The Behavioral Health & Human Services program at CTEC trains students in counseling and support skills, preparing them for careers in behavioral health. These students are already making a difference, with more than 40 mentoring elementary students four days a week to support their mental well-being.

Improving Sense of Belonging Amongst Students and Staff

A strong sense of belonging helps students feel valued and connected while in school. As a district, we are working to create inclusive learning environments where all students feel respected and supported. This requires daily effort, listening to students, and building spaces that foster acceptance and success. The goal is to create schools where every student feels they belong and can thrive.

Several schools have improved students' sense of belonging through school-wide efforts. At Stephens Middle School, celebrating positive behavior and making staff more visible has made a big impact. Highland Elementary has used student focus groups and interviews to understand and meet their needs. When asked about their hopes for the future, students shared dreams of success, happiness, and helping others—goals the district is committed to supporting.

Chapter 5: We Are Stronger Together

Our schools are wonderful, magical spaces in our community where everyone has access and opportunity. We have many things we are proud of, a lot of work that is in progress, and no shortage of challenges to overcome. And I truly believe that we can overcome them, especially when we, as a community,y listen to each other, learn from each other, and hold our students at the center of our work.

Success in Salem-Keizer

We've created a booklet, available to download as a PDF for printing, called Success in Salem-Keizer. It is a comprehensive overview that includes data points of the success that happens every day in our schools throughout the school district.