SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

March 16 - Student Led Conferences (Teachers have sent out appointment links)

March 19 - Senior Show: Planet SHS 7pm

March 20 - Senior Show: Planet SHS 7pm

March 24 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

March 25 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

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 3.4 - Student Leadership:

We’re learning from Salem High peer mentors Alex (junior) and Mia (senior) as they talk about what it’s really like mentoring freshmen students. They share how teachers support and challenge them, how they’re getting ready for life after high school, and which experiences outside the classroom made the biggest impact along the way. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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 Michael McHugh | Staff Writer

SALEM — Around 900 students filled the Salem High School fieldhouse Friday afternoon for a pep rally ahead of the boys basketball team’s trip to the State Championships.

The Salem Witches will face off against Hanover in the Division 3 championship at the Tsongas Center in Lowell at 6 p.m. Saturday, hoping to win the school’s first state championship in 31 years.

After a decisive 68-50 victory against Lynn Classical on Tuesday night in the Woburn High gymnasium, the hype in the school and the community has been building to a boiling point. On Saturday, the Witches could bring home their fourth ever state championship win, 100 years after the school’s first ever championship victory in 1926.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/salem-high-boys-basketball-celebrates-with-packed-pep-rally-ahead-of-state-title-game/article_67bb781f-f21a-4873-b9b7-99d8bb9e8b77.html

All Photos from Salem News

By Phil Stacey

The Salem High School boys basketball team won Massachusetts' first-ever state championship in the sport back in 1926.

Exactly 100 years later, they've now captured their fourth state title.

The Witches, seeded second in the Division 3 state playoff draw, took down top seed Hanover, 57-51, Saturday night at the Tsongas Center. By doing so, they won their first state basketball crown since 1995 ... and first state championship of any kind for Salem High since 1999.

Junior guard and team captain Elian Rodriguez, as he did for all five of his team's playoff games, led the Witches in scoring with 27 points. Fellow captain Nate Lane, a senior, added 12 points while another senior, Cesar Mesa Castillo, stole a Hanover inbounds pass with 20 seconds remaining to help seal the victory.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/salem-boys-basketball-captures-first-state-title-in-31-years/article_f281fe74-1ae2-456c-b9c3-b58586f830ae.html

Click on Image for Video

Congratulations to the Salem High School Jazz Band that medaled this weekend in the Division II State Finals. They will move on and play at the Gold Medal Showcase on May 3rd.

Finn Hanger was recognized by the judges with an Outstanding Musicianship Award.

The Salem High School percussion placed first at the NESBA indoor show this Saturday in Melrose. The Salem High School Colorguard put on an outstanding show and placed 6th in their new division which is considerably more competitive.

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):

• March 10: SAT Class of 2027 Graduates who are Juniors

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

No sign ups are needed for either exam.

The SAT is a standardized college admissions test that measures reading, writing, and math skills aligned with what students learn in high school. Many colleges use SAT scores as a factor in admissions and scholarship decisions.

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!

Congratulations — you got in! Now, let's talk numbers. Before you commit, you must understand your Financial Aid Award Letter. Sent by colleges after acceptance, this key document outlines the total cost of your education and the specific financial support the school is offering. Here is a simplified breakdown of the key components you'll find:

1. Cost of Attendance (COA): Your Baseline Number

This is the college's estimate of the total yearly cost, and it's the number all other figures are measured against. COA includes two types of costs:

• Direct Costs: Billed directly by the college (tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals).

• Indirect Costs: Estimated out-of-pocket expenses (books, supplies, transportation, and personal spending).

Crucial Tip: College estimates for indirect costs can vary widely. Make sure to scrutinize this figure!

2. Gift Aid: Free Money!

This is the most valuable form of aid—it does not need to be repaid.

• Grants are typically based on financial need.

• Scholarships may be based on merit, need, or both.
  
  Always check renewal requirements (like maintaining a minimum GPA) so there are no financial surprises in future years.

3. Net Price: Your True Cost

The most important number is your Net Price, calculated as COA minus Gift Aid. This is the amount your family will actually need to cover through savings, income, or borrowing. When comparing offers from multiple schools, always compare Net Prices. A school with a higher initial "sticker price" can often be more affordable once grants and scholarships are factored in!

Big Future Net Price Calculator

MEFA Cost Calculator Comparison

4. Loans: A Repayable Debt

Loans are frequently included, but remember: they must be repaid with interest. Do not treat them as "aid"—they are a form of debt. Federal loans (such as Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans) generally offer better terms than private loans. Be sure to identify the total loan portion and factor that debt into your decision.

5. Work-Study: Funding an On-Campus Job

Some letters include a federal work-study allocation, which provides funding for a part-time campus job to help cover costs. Remember that work-study is not guaranteed and is earned through paychecks over the course of the year—it is not money received upfront.

An Example & Next Steps

Below is an annotated sample award letter from the State University of New York (SUNY), which calls out these elements of an award letter. Note that Net Cost in the SUNY letter's Cost section is the Net Price for the student.

If anything in your award letter is unclear, don't hesitate to call the school's financial aid office — they expect these questions and are there to help.

Additionally, Salem High partners with College Affordable to offer personalized support to understand the financial aid process. Follow the link to ask questions via email or schedule a consultation with a financial aid expert.

Additional Resources

Articles

• Federal Student Aid (FSA): How To Evaluate Your Aid Offers

• Mass.gov: Understanding your student financial aid award letter

• Citizens Bank: Understanding your financial aid offers in 2026

Videos

• Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer: A quick overview of the structure of a financial aid award letter.

Tools

• Niche True Cost: Powered by data from College Aid Pro (a financial aid planning service headquartered here in Salem), Niche True Cost gives an in-depth analysis of how much you'll pay and where those dollars will go for every college on your list.

MARCH 16

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.

SPRING BREAK: Seniors on campus, there are no classes the week of Spring break (March 16-20, 2026). Also, professors will not come to SHS this week. G&H Block Early College Classes will meet with Masshire and LEAPforEducation, and single block classes (G or H block) will meet with your SHS co-teacher.

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: Syracuse, New York

Mascot: Otto the Orange

Enrollment: 22,000

Average GPA: 3.7

Average SAT Score: 1240

Average ACT Score: 28

Admissions: https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/application-process/apply/

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1870, Syracuse is nationally recognized for its strong programs in communications, business, public affairs, engineering, and the arts. The university combines rigorous academics with experiential learning, global opportunities, and a vibrant campus community.

Syracuse is particularly known for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and the Whitman School of Management, which are consistently ranked among the best programs in the nation. Students benefit from strong alumni networks, internship opportunities, and access to major industries across the country.

Colleges & Academic Programs

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

College of Arts & Sciences
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Whitman School of Management
College of Engineering & Computer Science
School of Education
School of Architecture
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics

Students can pursue degrees in areas such as:

Business Administration
Finance
Marketing
Accounting
Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Public Relations
Political Science
International Relations
Psychology
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Architecture
Film and Media Arts
Sport Management
Public Policy

Syracuse emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and encourages students to combine majors, minors, and experiential opportunities across academic fields.

Areas of Academic Strength

Communications and media (Newhouse School)
Public policy and international relations (Maxwell School)
Business and entrepreneurship (Whitman School)
Engineering and computer science
Architecture and design
Sport management and human performance
Visual and performing arts
Public service and global engagement

Syracuse is especially well known for preparing students for careers in media, government, business leadership, and global policy.

Experiential Learning & Professional Advantage

Syracuse integrates hands-on learning into the academic experience through:

Internships across major cities including New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles
Study abroad programs in more than 60 countries
Research opportunities with faculty
Professional mentorship programs
Industry partnerships and alumni networks

The university also operates Syracuse Abroad, one of the most extensive study abroad programs in the United States.

Clubs & Student Organizations

Syracuse offers 300+ student organizations, including:

Student government
Cultural and identity-based organizations
Business and entrepreneurship clubs
Media and journalism organizations
Pre-law and pre-health societies
Performing arts groups
Community service organizations
Academic honor societies

Student life is vibrant and active, with strong school spirit and leadership opportunities.

Athletics

Syracuse competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Varsity Sports Include:

Football
Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Soccer
Lacrosse
Track & Field
Cross Country
Softball
Field Hockey
Rowing
Tennis

Syracuse has a rich athletic tradition, particularly in men’s lacrosse and basketball, and the Orange enjoy passionate support from students and alumni.

Recent & Notable Developments

Expansion of engineering and technology programs
Growth in data science and artificial intelligence initiatives
Continued national recognition of the Newhouse School of Public Communications
Investment in campus facilities and research infrastructure
Expansion of global study and internship opportunities
Strong career placement and graduate school outcomes for graduates

Virtual Tour:

Website: https://www.syracuse.edu/

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is the minimum requirement to become a police officer. Many departments prefer or require some college coursework or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Common majors include:

• Criminal Justice

• Criminology

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Public Administration

• Homeland Security

• Law Enforcement Studies

Many police departments also require candidates to complete a state-approved police academy training program after being hired or before employment.

Licensure / Certification Pathway (Role-Dependent)

Police officers must complete certification through a state police training academy.

Typical pathway:

1. Pass a civil service exam or police entrance exam (in many states).

2. Complete a background investigation, medical exam, and psychological evaluation.

3. Graduate from a state-certified police academy (usually 16–24 weeks of training).

4. Receive state law enforcement certification to serve as a police officer.

Additional specialized certifications may include:

• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)

• Defensive tactics and firearms certification

• K-9 handling certification

• SWAT or tactical operations training

• Community policing certification

• Emergency medical or first responder training

Advanced Training (Optional but Common)

Experienced officers may pursue additional education or specialized training to advance into roles such as:

• Detective or investigator

• Police sergeant or lieutenant (supervisory roles)

• SWAT or tactical response teams

• School resource officer (SRO)

• Cybercrime or digital forensics investigator

• Homeland security or federal law enforcement roles

Some officers earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees in criminal justice, public safety administration, or leadership to pursue higher ranks.

Typical Tasks Associated with This Career

• Patrol neighborhoods and communities to maintain public safety

• Respond to emergency calls and incidents

• Investigate crimes and collect evidence

• Conduct traffic stops and enforce laws

• Interview witnesses and victims

• Write detailed incident and arrest reports

• Testify in court during criminal proceedings

• Provide assistance during accidents and emergencies

• Work with community members to prevent crime

• Collaborate with detectives, firefighters, EMS, and other agencies

Police officers use tools such as radios, body cameras, patrol vehicles, computer reporting systems, and investigative equipment.

Expected Income

Average salary: $70,000–$90,000 depending on location, experience, and department size.
Many officers also earn overtime, shift differentials, and specialized duty pay.

Projected Growth

3% growth over the next 10 years

Related High School Coursework

• Criminal Justice / Law classes

• Government / Civics

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Physical Education / Fitness

• Health and First Aid

• Communication / Public Speaking

• English Language Arts

Students interested in law enforcement are also encouraged to participate in community service, leadership programs, and public safety internships.