Salem Academy Charter School Foundation (Salem Foundation for Service Education Inc.)

A key component of Salem Academy’s mission is Service-Learning. We view Service-Learning and civics projects as central to our goal of graduating informed, articulate and proactive citizens. Service-Learning provides an opportunity for students to apply their academic learning to fieldwork in service to Salem and the greater community. Each year students engage in approximately 30 hours of Service-Learning through SACS.

Service-Learning at Salem Academy is guided by three general goals: 1) to engage students and promote academic success by providing opportunities to apply their learning to the real-life context of their community; 2) to train students to serve as civic participants and community leaders both today and in the future; and 3) to add resources and capacity to the betterment of Salem’s (and the greater community’s) historical, cultural, and natural resources

Salem Academy is participating in the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative Advanced Placement Training and Award Program (APTAP). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in partnership with Mass Insight Education and Research Institute, secured one of the first grants from the National Math and Science Initiative, Inc. (NMSI) for this program. The goal is to increase student enrollment in mathematics, science and English AP courses, as well as to improve student performance as reflected by an increase in the number of qualifying scores. The program provides extensive training for AP and Pre-AP teachers, establishes AP lead teachers, demands additional student preparation, and provides performance-based financial incentives for students and teachers. It focuses on teacher and student support, vertical teaming, open enrollment, and incentives. The program increases the number of students taking AP exams, and expands access to traditionally under-represented students.

Salem Academy Charter School believes that the adult professional staff members are at the core of the school's success. Salem Academy seeks teachers who have expertise in their subject matter, who care deeply about young people and believe in their students' ability to succeed, who are team players, and who have an entrepreneurial spirit that supports determination, persistence, and creativity in their efforts to create a highly personalized education for every student. Multiple levels of delegated authority empower teachers to have a voice in the daily life of the school and to effect change. The staff is not unionized; contracts are for one year at a time; professional development programming is continuous throughout the school year, and the school employs a clearly defined teacher evaluation system. The student teacher ratio is 10:1. One hundred percent of teachers are highly qualified by NCLB standards; 67% have advanced degrees; average teaching experience is 8 years.