McKay High School

McKay High School serves a working-class neighborhood in northeast Salem, where families are deeply rooted in the community and the school reflects that diversity in meaningful ways. Academically, McKay faces real challenges — its English and math scores place it among the lower-performing schools in Oregon — making it a better fit for families who prioritize strong community ties and extracurriculars over test-score rankings. Salem itself is an affordable, centrally located city with easy access to the Willamette Valley, and families who choose McKay often do so out of neighborhood loyalty or specific program offerings rather than academic reputation.