Salem Public Schools
SPS Families,
On May 8 — after months of public meetings, workshops with educators and students, and expert analysis by architects and engineers — the Salem High School Building Committee voted to select among four options for the new Salem High School.
The choices before the committee were to do a limited project to just make the existing building code compliant, to renovate the existing building, to renovate with an addition to the building, or to build an entirely new building.
To achieve the best possible future for Salem High School — one that balances cost considerations with the educational needs of our students — the committee voted unanimously to move forward with an entirely new building.
Of the four options, the new building scheme is the shortest construction duration and the least disruptive to students in the current building, taking just 30 months to construct instead of up to 48 months. Further, the new building is less expensive than the other options except for the code compliance option, but that scheme does not meet the educational program needs for the school, nor does it enhance the career and technical education (CTE) spaces or the arts and athletic spaces.
The future Salem High School will be a more efficient, net zero or even net positive energy building. That means it will be healthier for those who study and work in it, and it will substantially reduce the city’s annual energy bills. Right now, the current building is an energy hog, accounting for almost 25% of the city’s annual electricity costs.
It will include a state-of-the-art auditorium with adjacent music and performance spaces, a new media center, appropriately sized CTE and academic classrooms arranged to strengthen collaboration between these programs, thoughtful adjacencies between programs, and better spaces for teacher collaboration and planning. Special education, nursing and health, and other critical student support spaces are also included.
A field house comparable in size to the existing will be included, along with an indoor walking track. Outside, the new campus will include two new soccer/ lacrosse fields, overlapping baseball and softball fields, and new tennis/pickleball courts. The project team is studying the possibility of relocating the iconic Salem Diner from Loring Avenue to a location adjacent to the new athletic fields, to serve as a concession facility where culinary arts CTE students and boosters alike can serve those attending games.
Right now, Salem Public Schools are thriving, and enrollment is growing. Graduation rates are up, and educator turnover is down. Academic achievement is up, and drop-out rates are down. Our kids are committed to their academic success, and they deserve a school building that is as excellent as they are — one that meets our shared goal of being a community where every student is empowered to succeed.
The process of creating this new school is far from over. Selecting the preferred scheme was just one of the earliest steps.
Over the coming months, the project team will now move forward with detailed designs and planning, and there will be plenty more opportunities for public input and feedback. The committee will continue to meet in order to guide and shape the project’s trajectory. In 2026, likely in the spring, the people of Salem will need to vote to approve the funding for the project.
Once all that has happened, and only after it has happened, can we get shovels in the ground. The current timeframe estimates that construction would commence in 2028 and be completed in 2030.
We invite and encourage you to be part of this process — whether you are part of the Salem Public School community or not. Discover more about the project at salemma.gov/salemhighschool and get engaged in this transformative moment for our city.
The future of Salem High School is being created now. And we couldn’t be more excited about it.
Enjoy the weekend!
Steve
Mr. Stuart is always incredibly flexible as witnessed by a recent ask of his classes to bake almost 1,000 cookies for staff during educator appreciation week. His team of students delivered on this last minute request and staff throughout Salem Public Schools thoroughly enjoyed the treats. We appreciate Mr. Stuart's multiple talents as both food wizard and teacher!
The Salem News Editorial | The future of Salem High School
On May 8 — after months of public meetings, workshops with educators and students, and expert analysis by architects and engineers — the Salem High School Building Committee voted to select among four options for the new Salem High School.
The Salem News | Salem High Building Committee selects "new construction" option for new Salem High School
Last Friday, The Salem High Building Committee voted unanimously for the new Salem High School of 365,000 square feet of entirely new construction with an estimated 30-month construction period for $455 million.
Salem Public Schools Educator Anny Cruz Earns Distinguished Service Award from AFT Massachusetts
Anny Cruz, a family engagement facilitator at Salem Public Schools, was named the recipient of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Massachusetts Distinguished Service Award Friday, May 2, at the AFT Massachusetts Awards Dinner at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
The Boston Globe | Before Tom Thibodeau and Rick Brunson ’91 coached the Knicks, they were basketball icons in Salem
In the summer of 1987, those who cared about basketball on the North Shore — young dribblers and old-timers both — were buzzing about the kid at Salem High. He was 15 and no one in recent years had seen anyone like him. Rick Brunson (Salem High School Class of 1991) could bust through double-teams, get any bucket he wanted, snatch every board, hit every open teammate, lock down his man and your man on defense.
VIEW GALLERY: SHS Early College Scholars Attend DESE Early College Student Summit
Salem High School Early College students were well represented at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Early College Student Summit at Roxbury Community College Thursday, May 8.
CMS Grade Six Scholars’ House Web Promotes Kindness, Relationship Building
The Salem Public Schools Strategic Plan in action: On Wednesday, May 7 Collins Middle School grade 6 scholars began their morning with the whole grade community building activity to promote kindness and to better understand how being kind to one person can be connected throughout our community.
We're thrilled to share some fantastic news from Salem High School's Teen Health Clinic: On Friday, May 2, the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization presented its prestigious Friends of School Nursing award to two exceptional nurse practitioners: Katie Attia, MSN, CPNP, and Laura Kelliher, MSN, CPNP.
Our Salem Public Schools nursing team nominated Katie and Laura for their extraordinary commitment to the well-being of our students. They've truly gone the extra mile to ensure all new students receive the necessary medical care for school entry and have access to vital healthcare services. Their dedication to the health and well-being of Salem's students and families is truly something to celebrate.
Transportation applications for the 2025-26 school year are now open in the Aspen Family Portal.
All students who wish to ride the bus for the 2025-26 school year must submit an application, even if the student currently rides the bus or is considered a mandatory rider. A completed application must be submitted by Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Applications received after July 1, 2025, will not be accepted except in extenuating circumstances to allow proper time for processing and routing.
Note: If you have a student that attends Salem Academy Charter School, you will not be able to submit an application for your student in Aspen. Salem Academy will send a separate application form to families.
- Transportation Application Letter: ENG | ESP | POR
- VIEW: Transportation Application Instructions
- Step-by-Step Bus Application in Aspen: ENG | ESP | POR
- Salem Academy Transportation Registration: ENG | ESP | POR
For more information, visit the Salem Public Schools Transportation website or contact us at:
- T: (978) 740-1240
- dbido@salemk12.org
- jbarros@salemk12.org
We’re thrilled to announce that starting Thursday, May 22, ‘Dupe Meals’ are making their debut on the Salem Public Schools lunch menu. These meals have been a hit in our school dinner program, and now we’re bringing them to lunchtime for the first time.
Our Dupe Meals reimagine your favorite fast-food and restaurant dishes, using fresh, wholesome ingredients that meet school nutrition standards. Think of it as enjoying a delicious burrito bowl, mac & cheese, or penne pasta – just healthier and made with care by our cafeteria team. These fun meals are a tasty and school-friendly way to enjoy what you love outside of school.
ParentSquare is the communication platform for Salem Public Schools. Families receive communication from the district, school, and their student's classroom all in one space. Families can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers, register for parent-teacher conferences, and more.
If you are not receiving messages from ParentSquare or if you are having trouble, contact your school's front office. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.