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I have to say I debated about publishing this list.

What list?

The best schools in Salem-Keizer defined strictly by the test data of the recent report card that came out.  One of the most difficult things about being a real estate agent is everyone wants to know what is THE BEST school, as if there really is one.  Best is a subjective concept and the fact is that you can have an exceptional school that has a difficult class one year that may pull test scores down.  It also seems like a bit of a slap in the face to the teachers who work in some of our schools without the economic advantages.  Exceptional as well as average teaching happens at every school.

I decided to go ahead and write a post because I think parents are capable of sorting this out.  When you are considering schools as part of your home buying experience, you generally want to pick an area that has a long history of strong schools.  This goes hand in hand with good resale and desirable neighborhoods, and yes, they tend to be more expensive.  I can tell you that this list flip flops year to year, but generally these schools are always up there.  For those of you on a budget, I also encourage parents to look at areas with improving schools.  If you have the time to get involved and be a parent volunteer you can help to contribute to making that school even better.

Anyway…without further ado…

The top 10 elementary schools in Salem-Keizer

1. Clear Lake (Keizer)
2. Rosedale (south Salem)
3. Schirle (south Salem)
4. Candalaria (south Salem)
5. Chapman Hill (west Salem)
6. Sumpter (south Salem)
7. Morningside (south Salem)
8. Optimum Learning Center (Charter school Keizer)
9. McKinley (south Salem)
10. Gubser (Keizer)

The top 5 middle schools in Salem-Keizer

1. Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School (Charter school)
2. Judson (south Salem)
3. Howard Street (Charter school)
4. Walker (west Salem)
5. Crossler (south Salem)

The top 3 high schools in Salem

1. Sprague (south Salem)
2. West Salem
3. McNary (Keizer)

If you are wanting to relocate to Salem Oregon and want to learn more about our local schools, you can read more about them at at the Salem-Keizer site.

“Well this sure is a crap-hole,” I said.

“Gee hon, what do you really think?  It’s not that bad,” chided my husband jokingly, as he opened the door to go inside.

“Hmmpf,” was all the retort I could muster that day.  It was early in the morning and I really needed some coffee before my wit had a chance to wake up.

“Hey…we can always go next door over there and get some coffee when we are done here?”  he laughed.

I looked over to where he was pointing and saw the little barbecue joint there looking like it was about to topple over.  An asthmatic Big Bad Wolf could huff and wheeze that thing over.  Forget the old arsenic and old lace plan for killing me, I thought…he’s trying to get me with food poisoning.

11 years ago now, my husband and I walked into this dingy old building located on south Commercial street to sign mortgage documents for our home purchase here in Salem Oregon.  Totally out of place in a parking lot, it stood at the corner with an outdated looking strip mall behind it and a small barbecue joint called the Barbecue Pit across the parking lot.  Forget a good pressure washing, these buildings just looked liked they needed a good bulldozing.

A few years later, I noticed that the bank was no longer using the building and it just sat…and sat…and sat.  Vacant.  The Barbecue Pit South, which was one of Salem’s last remaining diners from the 1960′s eras closed (we still have Court St Dairy Lunch and Whites).  Despite making fun of the state of their building, I’m always melancholy when a long standing business closes.  In March of 2007, the buildings were demolished and  then the rumor mill started in Salem as construction began.

“It’s another Starbucks,” whispered one local.  ”Like we need another one of those!” was the retort.  A Quizno’s, Subway…on and on the locals took their guesses about what this small little building was going to be.  Then the signs went up to satisfy our curiosity and dispel the local rumor mill.

French Press.

“I hear they will have crepes,” said one local excitedly.

“And some fancy schmancy coffee,” mumbled another.  Coffee culture is powerful in the Pacific Northwest.  You just gotta live here to understand it.

French Press is located in the Candalaria neighborhood on the corner of Candalaria Boulevard and Commercial. Taking a decaying old restaurant building and turning it into a popular spot for coffee lovers, this place is typically busy.  French Press sits where the old BBQ Pit was and the bank building is gone and is part of the often full parking lot.  The biggest complaint by the locals is that they should have made it bigger. and during busy times, you probably won’t find a table.   If you haven’t tried French Press, I’ve talked about their Kona blend before…only for experienced coffee drinkers.  Their crepes are tasty, and I prefer the savory crepes as their sweet crepes tend to be a bit sweet for me.  Hubby though…hooked on the berry crepes as is my son.

French Press sits in the Candalaria Mall which also houses Bakery D’mour, Blackberries, and yes…a Quizno’s at this time. The whole building was done as part of this renovation project.  If you are considering moving here, this is just one more great example of Salem Oregon going through the rejuvenation process and turning those ugly duckings into swans.

P.S.  The first two of key bank were taken by Robert West. He allowed me to use them in this post.  You can see the originals of Salem Oregon and many more he took of that area on his webpage which is kind of cool and you should check it out!  The photo of the old BBQ Pit/La Perla was taken by Salem Man of the Eat Salem Blog.  Used with permission.

Anyone following me on twitter or facebook knows that I just picked 40 pounds of strawberries with my family.  Oregon strawberries are amazingly sweet and we freeze them for smoothies and top french toast with them, which are great for kids for breakfast.   I make a fresh strawberry pie as part of the deal for picking all those strawberries.  There is nothing more amazing than fresh strawberry pie, in my opinion.  I’ve included my recipe here for Oregon strawberry pie at the end of this post…for those of you that have asked for it.

BUT, the point in me talking about local strawberries, well local produce in general, is because I am a firm believer in trying to have your food source be as close to you as possible.  I think it is important for kids to see that food doesn’t come out of a box, but rather can be made. Kids need to learn this in order to start good eating habits, in my opinion.  It appears that there are many other Oregonians that strongly believe in good eating habits for our kids.

Truth for America’s Health came out with the annual study of obesity.  Oregon ranked 51st in the nation for obesity…meaning that we have the fewest number of kids that are obese in Oregon.  9.6% of our Oregon kids are obese.  Compare that with the number 1 obese state of Mississippi where 21.9% of kids are already obese.  Remember this isn’t about being overweight, but the medical definition for obesity which is pretty serious.  I just wanted to say great job to all the Oregon parents out there that make your kids eat broccoli and force them away from the TV to enjoy what Oregon has to offer.

So get out there.  Go pick some fresh fruit with your kids.  Go visit one of the local swimming holes over the summer, and keep our kids healthy. Fewest obese kids?   Let’s keep it that way. This is one ranking chart where Oregon wants to stay dead last.

For those of you that haven’t been berry picking we have tons of local places to go that have amazing fruit.   My tip…just go early in the morning before it gets too hot.    Here is my strawberry pie recipe for those of you that asked for it.

Melina’s Fresh Strawberry Pie

Crust

I use Emeril Lagasse’s shortbread pie crust, which I think is amazing.  If you need gluten free, then you need to buy Gluten Free Baking Classics which has a great pie crust recipe.

Shortbread Pie Crust:

• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour