Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
As part of the November 2024 election, the voters in the Commonwealth repealed the law that students must pass the MCAS exam as a requirement to graduate with a diploma from Massachusetts’ high schools.
This significant change impacts our current and former Salem High School, New Liberty Innovation School and Salem Prep High School students: who completed the local graduation requirements but would/did not receive their diploma because they could not/did not achieve a passing score on the MCAS math, English language arts or science exam.
Moving forward, students now (including Class of 2025 and 2026 students who have not earned a qualifying score on the MCAS) must take the following steps to earn a high school diploma from the Salem Public Schools:
Earn a Competency Determination (CD): the student must demonstrate mastery of the 10th-grade Massachusetts Curriculum Framework Standards in the areas of English language arts, math, and science. See below:
- New Liberty Innovation School: Two years of Humanities/English; Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 2; and Principles of Biomedical Science
- Salem High School: Two years of English; Algebra 1 and Geometry; Biology or Physics
- Salem Prep: Two years of English; Algebra 1 and Geometry; Biology
Satisfactorily complete the local graduation requirements detailed in the program of study for their high school – SHS, Salem Prep and New Liberty – in which they are enrolled (each school’s program of study is reviewed and approved annually by the Salem Public Schools (SPS) School Committee).
For students who do not meet the required passing grades for the coursework, their guidance counselors will work with them to enroll in summer school, credit recovery courses, or additional coursework that meets the same Massachusetts Curriculum Framework Standards in order to graduate.
We encourage our former students who did not previously earn their diploma as a result of not achieving a passing score to contact Ana Grateraux, College and Career Center Administrative Assistant at Salem High School, at agrateraux@salemk12.org or 978-740-1157 .
We are committed to supporting our former students who may benefit from this recent change in state law.
I hope to see many of you at the Collins Drama Performance this weekend!
Steve
Ms. Babineau's dedication, commitment to meeting each student's needs, and ability to create engaging learning experiences are truly commendable.
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In this webinar, experts will discuss strategies to help build resilience, create supportive environments, and prioritize staff mental health and well-being in schools.
Change is Simple, a Beverly-based nonprofit teaching climate education, has been working with students in Salem Public Schools for over a decade. This school year, Change is Simple has visited all SPS students in grades 3-5 (3 times per class) and will teach all grade 7 scholars at Saltonstall and Collins Middle School soon. By the end of the school year Change is Simple will have taught 1,217 students in Salem.
Change is Simple delivers scaffolded curriculum -- aligned with Common Core, Next Generation Science, and Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum standards -- aimed at delivering impactful and hands-on lessons to empower students in joining the fight towards a more hopeful, clean planet and future. Change is Simple works with each school to align their lessons with the students’ classroom learning, building skills in literacy, math, and group work, and boosting confidence in their ability to problem solve.
Lesson topics and activities range from renewable energy, human impacts on ecosystems, reducing our carbon footprints, calculating the miles and subsequent air pollution to get some of our food, pollution and plastic in our oceans, and more.
View the full list of curriculum
Change is Simple is thrilled to continue a partnership with the SPS and looks forward to returning in the 2025-26 school year. Our programming in Salem continues to be made possible through generous donors, corporate sponsorship, and grant funding.
On Thursday, Mar. 20, Pastelón — a delicious Puerto Rican plantain lasagna — made its debut during school lunch at Salem High School. Students were thrilled to see this flavorful dish on the menu and appreciated the opportunity to enjoy a meal that reflects their culture.
Applicants for the Dan Sullivan Learn to Sail Scholarship must be 6-8 years of age, completed first grade, live in the North Shore area, have a passion for life on or around the sea, and must be able to pass our swim test.
If your child -- or a child you know -- is interested in taking the Learn to Sail junior sailing class at Boston Yacht Club, but may not be able to afford tuition, you may apply for a scholarship by filling out the application. The goal of the Dan Sullivan Learn to Sail Scholarship is to provide access to sailing programs to participants who otherwise are unable to afford the program.
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.
