SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

March 24 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

March 25 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

March 24 and 26 - All City Concert Series

March 29 - NESBA Colorguard Championships (Location: Salem High School)

Salem Junior Colorguard 11:38am

Salem Senior Colorguard 3:30pm

March 30 - Autism Acceptance Week

March 30 - Athletics Media Day 2:45 Field House

April 7 - PSAT for 10th Grade

Dear Salem High School Families,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we approach the spring testing season, I would like to inform you that the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) testing will begin on 3/24/26 for students in grade 10. The MCAS is an important part of the state’s accountability system and provides valuable information about our students' progress as well as the opportunity to earn scholarships.

Testing Dates:

• Grade 10 ELA MCAS: 3/24/26 and 3/25/26
  
  

• Grade 10 Mathematics MCAS: 5/19/26 and 5/20/26

Important Information for Families:

• Students are expected to arrive on time each day of testing.
  
  

• Please ensure that your child gets a good night's rest before the testing days and has a healthy breakfast in the morning.
  
  

• Encourage your child to do their best, but also remind them that the MCAS is just one part of their educational journey.
  
  

• If you have any concerns regarding testing accommodations, please reach out to me or the school’s Special Education Team Chairs at mcaldeira@salemk12.org or lbauer@salemk12.org .
  
  

We understand that standardized testing can be a source of stress for some students, and our staff is committed to making this a positive experience. Our teachers have been preparing students with strategies to help them feel confident and comfortable throughout the testing process.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We are grateful for your support as we work together to ensure that all of our students are successful.

Taking MCAS is still an expectation from DESE and performing well on this exam provides the opportunity to earn the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Glenn Burns

The After Prom Committee, led by SHS Parents, is running a scratch ticket raffle to raise money for a fun and safe Post-Senior Prom Party at In The Game. Only 300 tickets will be sold.

Must by 18 to purchase a ticket.

Payment Methods:

Venmo: Josh Gillis @Josh-Gillis-75 (Include your Name and Phone Number in Venmo)

or

Email salemhighafterprom@gmail.com for other payment options

“BE ABOUT IT”

• Live the values of our school community; show pride, respect, and responsibility not just by saying it, but by consistently doing it.

• Follow through on commitments, whether that’s in academics, athletics, arts, or personal goals.

• Model integrity by letting your behavior reflect your intentions—be the example others can count on.

“BE ABOUT IT” means don’t just talk about who you are or what you stand for, prove it every day through effort, character, and action.

Be About It!

#GoWitch

S.H.E.L.L. (Salem High Educator Learning Lab) is a flexible, student-centered approach to education that is designed to support academic growth, exploration, and innovation. The Learning Lab provides educators with time, guidance, and resources to strengthen skills, receive targeted support, collaborate with peers, and extend learning beyond the traditional classroom.

Through SHELL, Salem High School is deepening its commitment to personalized learning—creating an environment where students can ask questions, try new strategies, get feedback, and build confidence as learners. Whether students need extra help, enrichment opportunities, or a place to work and reflect, SHELL is designed to bring educators together and design a meaning learning environment that will meet students where they are and help them move forward.

In order to provide our whole school community an understanding of some of the great things happening at Salem High School we have created a podcast that we will be using to tell our story and more importantly let our students and educators shine!

Episode 3.5 - Student Leadership:

We’re learning from Salem High peer mentors Lily and Madeleine explore how feedback fuels their learning and growth at Salem High School. They share how students support one another in the classroom and beyond, and reflect on the powerful role mentoring, sports, and clubs play in building confidence, connection, and community. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about collaboration, leadership, and what makes student life at SHS so impactful.

SHS enjoyed a wonderful day seeing and celebrating a wide variety of high school theater at the METG semi final round at Marshfield High School this Saturday. Although our production of Pandora and the Sickle Moon did not advance to the finals, our students put forth a strong performance, earning the following All Star Company Awards:

Senior Camryn Franklin won an Excellence in Acting award for her portrayal as the evil Queen Skadaas

Senior Ella Jackson, juniors Frances Jones and Savannah Muasya, and freshman Sam Vietzke again won an Excellence in Ensemble Acting for their portrayals of the Evils

Senior Clover Borne Lyon again won an award in Technical Excellence for Costume Design, Costume Fabrication, and Mask Making

Bravo to our whole cast and crew, and thank you to our parent volunteers! For those interested in being involved in Drama Club, our final production of the season will be a student directed 10 minute play festival. Please keep an eye out for more information about auditions and applying to be a director in a few weeks.

Please direct questions to Ms. Leah Hamilton French or follow us on Instagram @onstage_salemhighdrama

By Matt Williams

Looking at the boys basketball landscape in Massachusetts at the end of the 2026 state tournament, I couldn’t help but think of The Beach Boys.

That’s because when I peruse most Top 20 or 25 rankings, I croon like Mike Love. “What’s the matter buddy, ain’t you heard of Salem? They’re No. 1 in the state.”

This is not a case of just being true to the local school. The Division 3 state champions from Salem have the best resume, and enjoyed the best season, of any squad in the Bay State this winter.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/sports/on-basketball-best-team-in-the-state-its-salem/article_21f23c1c-2ce0-4113-b91b-2a3e8e06aa64.html

Last night, Salem High School seniors proved that after four years of hard work, they’ve also mastered the art of putting on a show. The annual Senior Show had the audience laughing, cheering, and enjoying a fun filled evening. It was a night full of humor, creativity, and just enough nostalgia to remind everyone that this remarkable group of seniors is getting ready to take their final bow at Salem High.

This is such a special night that shows off our seniors' talents and reminds us of many of things that have happened through their 4 years at Salem High School. This group will forever be remembered for all that they have done and how they supported Salem High School in growing into a place that supports all our young people.

A special shout out to the advisors Ms. Christina Abouzeid, Mr. Lester McClain, and Ms. Elizabeth Bright. Without thier support senior events would not be possible.

AP courses are crucial in college admissions because they demonstrate academic

rigor, indicating a student is prepared for college-level work.They boost weighted

GPAs, signal serious academic intent to admissions officers, and can provide college

credit, allowing students to skip introductory courses.

According to a survey taken by the National Association for College Admission

Counseling (NACAC), a student’s GPA in college preparatory classes (AP and/or

International Baccalaureate courses) is the single most important factor in college

admissions, more than standardized test scores or even AP exam scores themselves.

In 2025, 66.4% of SHS students who took an AP exam scored a three or higher 3

(out of 5) on at least one exam, compared with the state average of 68.8% and a

Gateway city average of 58.2%.

In 2025, 66.4% of SHS students who took an AP exam scored a three or higher 3

(out of 5) on at least one exam, compared Salem Academy Charter School

students at 45%.

During the 25-26 school-year 41% of Salem High School Students are enrolled in at least one AP class. More than 88% of Juniors and Seniors are enrolled in what the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) consider advanced coursework. This is a shift in our practice over the last four years to put our students in the best position possible to meet their goals in a competitive college and career landscape.

Salem High School will administer two standardized tests this semester (in-school, during normal school hours):

• April 7: PSAT 10 Class of 2028 Graduates who are Sophomores

No sign ups are needed for either exam.

The PSAT is a preliminary version of the SAT that helps students prepare. It measures the same reading, writing, and math skills as the SAT. The PSAT (October edition, taken junior year) is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The SAT will be offered again at Salem High in the fall for seniors by registration only. Further information about specific dates for this exam will be released late spring/early summer.

If you are interested in additional opportunities to take the SAT on Saturday at an approved College Board site, please make an appointment with your students' college and career counselor to assist with signing up for the exam. The confirmed dates through College Board are:

• May 2, 2026

• Jun 6, 2026

• August 22, 2026

• September 12, 2026

• October 3, 2026

• November 7, 2026

• December 5, 2026

PSAT/SAT Score Report

If you've taken one of these tests prior, your score report is one of the most useful tools available to you. To access your score report, sign in to your College Board account, navigate to "PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 Scores" (or "My SAT" if you’ve taken the SAT). The report breaks down your performance by skill area and question type.

Preparing for the SAT

Here are some free resources to help you study:

Conveniently, excellent resources such as the Khan Academy - Digital SAT Prep and College Board - Educator Question Bank are organized by the same question types as the score report. Look in your report for areas where you missed the most questions and start there—these are likely the easiest areas to gain points through study and practice.

Schoolhouse (also from Sal Khan of Khan Academy) is a peer-led community for free SAT tutoring. Sign up to learn from other students who have excelled on these tests.

Google offers free, full-length SAT practice tests via Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. You'll receive a score along with explanations for every question you missed, so you can focus your practice where it matters most.

Families, please note any relevant test dates above in your calendars—it’s important to get a good sleep the night before a test. Good luck to all of our test-takers this spring!

Hello SHS Students and Families,

The deadline for new students to apply for 2026-2027 Early College is March 31.

APPLY HERE!

Students and families will be notified of Early College acceptance and next steps to confirm enrollment by April 15. Students currently enrolled in Early College who wish to opt out next year must meet for an exit interview.

We have been working to strengthen our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Early College this year. You may receive notice that you/your child receive Tier 2 support or be asked to attend a Tier 3 “Early College Success” meeting.

From the SHS Tutoring Center (2nd floor IMC):

• Referrals/scheduling: Staff & family members can refer students to the tutoring center for help HERE. Students can schedule appointments by clicking “Tutoring” on SHS Launchpad/Classlink too. Staff, undergraduate, and peer tutors are available for help in all subjects, and some specialize in writing or math.

• Teen Health Help: On Tuesdays, Araby’ha is available to meet to talk about anything on your mind. Araby’ha is a social work intern for the Teen Health Center and a senior at SSU. She will have drop in sessions during crew Tuesdays through the rest of this school year.

• Employment Help: Valerie from Masshire continues to be in the tutoring center Mondays 12:00-1:30 for job advising.

Click for:

• Early College Handbook, Handbook in Spanish Handbook in Portuguese.

• SHS/SSU/NSCC Support & Contacts.

Contact Dr. Kirby if you have any questions or concerns: akirby@salemk12.org.

Alexandra Kirby

Early College Coordinator

We are thrilled to begin another exciting year and to support every student in their journey to growth and success. Through our C3 College, Career, and Counseling Department, we encourage all students to Dare To Grow because your future knows no boundaries.

We are excited to share that our students have already started more than 200 college applications to schools across the country! You can view the interactive map here to see where students are applying: C3 College Application Map.

This information comes from Naviance, which students can access through ClassLink. Parents can also access their student’s information using their Naviance username and password.

If students or families need support accessing Naviance, please reach out to your student’s counselor for assistance.

Deciding what colleges to add to your list? One great resource to examines what factors goes into your college choice is Big Future at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search.

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Mascot: Billiken

Enrollment: 15,700

Average GPA: 3.9

Average SAT Score: 1300

Average ACT Score: 28

Admissions: https://www.slu.edu/campaign/slu/parent-tips.php?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22665398373&gbraid=0AAAAADtJPA80XQnV6z2Co2HCdlv4INEUt&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-4Lb4a-ykwMVJm5HAR1NyjqCEAAYASAAEgJuq_D_BwE

Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit research university located in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1818, SLU is one of the oldest universities west of the Mississippi River and is nationally recognized for its strong programs in health sciences, business, aviation, public health, and the liberal arts. The university combines rigorous academics with a commitment to service, leadership, and global engagement rooted in Jesuit educational traditions.

SLU is particularly known for its School of Medicine, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, and Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. Students benefit from strong internship opportunities in the St. Louis metropolitan area, access to leading healthcare systems, and a strong network of alumni working across medicine, business, technology, and public service.

Colleges & Academic Programs

Saint Louis University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through multiple schools and colleges, including:

College of Arts & Sciences
Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business
School of Medicine
Doisy College of Health Sciences
School of Nursing
Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology
School of Education
College for Public Health and Social Justice
School of Social Work
School of Law

Students can pursue degrees in areas such as:

Business Administration
Finance
Marketing
Accounting
Aviation and Aeronautics
Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Public Health
Nursing
Psychology
Biology
Pre-Med and Health Sciences
Political Science
International Business
Education
Health Management
Social Work

Saint Louis University emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, service-based education, and global engagement, encouraging students to combine majors, minors, and experiential learning opportunities.

Areas of Academic Strength

Health sciences and medicine
Public health and healthcare leadership
Business and entrepreneurship (Chaifetz School of Business)
Aviation and aerospace programs (Parks College)
Engineering and technology
Nursing and allied health fields
Public service and social justice
Biomedical research and life sciences

SLU is especially well known for preparing students for careers in medicine, healthcare leadership, aviation, engineering, and global service professions.

Experiential Learning & Professional Advantage

Saint Louis University integrates hands-on learning into the academic experience through:

Internships with major healthcare systems, corporations, and nonprofit organizations
Clinical placements in hospitals and medical centers
Research opportunities with faculty across STEM and health sciences
Service-learning projects tied to Jesuit mission and social justice initiatives
Study abroad programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America

SLU’s Jesuit tradition of service encourages students to connect academic learning with real-world impact.

Clubs & Student Organizations

Saint Louis University offers 300+ student organizations, including:

Student government
Cultural and identity-based organizations
Business and entrepreneurship clubs
Health professions societies
Engineering and aviation organizations
Community service and mission groups
Performing arts groups
Academic honor societies
Faith-based organizations

Student life centers around leadership, service, and community engagement.

Athletics

Saint Louis University competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10).

Varsity Sports Include:

Basketball
Soccer
Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Cross Country
Tennis
Volleyball
Swimming & Diving
Field Hockey

SLU has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in men’s soccer, which has won multiple national championships and remains one of the most successful programs in NCAA history.

Recent & Notable Developments

Expansion of health sciences and biomedical research facilities
Continued investment in aviation and aerospace education at Parks College
Growth in public health and healthcare leadership programs
New academic partnerships with major healthcare systems
Expansion of global education and service-learning programs
Strong career placement rates in medicine, healthcare, engineering, and business fields

Virtual Tour:

Website: https://www.slu.edu/index.php

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is the minimum requirement to begin pilot training. Most commercial airline pilots, however, earn a bachelor’s degree.

Common majors include:

Aviation
Aeronautical Science
Aerospace Engineering
Air Traffic Management
Aviation Management
Meteorology
Mechanical Engineering
Physics

Many pilots complete their flight training through:

University aviation programs
Private flight schools
Military flight training programs

In addition to classroom learning, pilots must complete extensive flight hours and simulator training.

Licensure / Certification Pathway (Role-Dependent)

Pilots must obtain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.

Typical pathway:

Earn a Private Pilot License (PPL) – allows individuals to fly for personal use.
Complete additional training to obtain an Instrument Rating (IR) to fly in low visibility conditions.
Earn a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) to be paid as a pilot.
Build required flight hours through instructing, charter flying, or regional airline work.
Obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the highest level of pilot certification, required to fly for major airlines.

Typical Tasks Associated with This Career

Operate aircraft safely during takeoff, flight, and landing

Conduct pre-flight inspections of aircraft systems, instruments, and fuel levels

Review weather conditions, flight plans, and navigation routes

Communicate with air traffic control during flight operations

Monitor aircraft instruments and navigation systems

Manage emergency situations and make critical decisions during flight

Coordinate with copilots, flight attendants, and ground crews

Ensure passenger safety and comfort

Log flight hours and complete flight documentation

Follow federal aviation regulations and safety procedures

Pilots use tools such as flight management systems, navigation instruments, aviation radios, radar systems, and advanced flight simulators.

Expected Income

Average salary: $120,000–$220,000 depending on experience, airline, and aircraft type.

Regional airline pilots may start around $70,000–$100,000, while experienced captains at major airlines can earn $250,000–$400,000+ annually.

Many pilots also receive benefits such as travel privileges, retirement plans, and per diem pay while traveling.

Projected Growth: 5% growth over the next 10 years

Demand for pilots is expected to remain strong due to airline expansion, cargo aviation growth, and pilot retirements.

Related High School Coursework

Physics
Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus)
Engineering or STEM courses
Computer Science
Geography
Meteorology or Earth Science
Communication / Public Speaking
English Language Arts

Students interested in aviation are also encouraged to participate in:

STEM clubs or robotics teams
Civil Air Patrol programs
Flight simulation programs
Aviation summer camps
Local airport internships or aviation clubs