The Department of Academics works to ensure that every student has the opportunity to engage in academically rigorous experiences in a joyful setting, feel a deep sense of belonging, and see themselves inspirationally. We do this by:
- Relentlessly evaluating student access and achievement through regular data analysis;
- Supporting teachers to leverage the principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching;
- Implementing high quality instructional materials to teach grade level standards through a standards-based philosophy.
Meet Our Students
Salem’s enrollment is approximately 3,800 culturally and linguistically diverse students whose varied backgrounds and life experiences add richness to learning activities, interactions with peers and teachers, and the unique identity of each school.
Daily Instructional Cycle
Our Academic Vision
Belonging
Students take risks, collaborate with others, and achieve academic growth because they feel valued, supported, and held to high expectations which builds psychological safety to learn.
Relevance
Students engage more deeply when instructional content intentionally connects to their lived experiences and future possibilities, cultural identities, aspirations, and an authentic purpose.
Practice & Feedback
Students own their learning through opportunities to practice and receive timely, specific feedback based on performance in relation to clear, shared outcomes so that progress towards learning goals is clear and students are continuously driving their own growth.
Through the intersection of these elements and through the critical teaching practices of internalizing and responding to data we believe that our students will be uniquely positioned to thrive in today’s world and in the future.
High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)
The district has purchased high-quality instructional materials, which are required core curriculum resources. Teachers are expected to implement these materials with integrity.
A list of the district’s core curriculum resources can be found here: District Curriculum Resources
Other Resources
- Atlas
- Atlas houses the district’s online curriculum maps, which outline agreed-upon minimum content/skills for each unit. Access Atlas here.
- Coaches
- In each building support teachers in navigating the curriculum, instruction, assessment, and data analysis.
- District Accommodation Plan
- The DCAP guides school leaders and teachers in ensuring that all possible efforts are made to meet student needs in general education classrooms, including accommodations and instructional supports.
- Digital Instructional Learning Landing Pad
Student Engagement and Belonging
Teachers make a conscious effort to build relevance into their instruction. This hooks students into new ideas and encourages them to become independent and motivated learners. There are many avenues to increasing student engagement.
Real-World Connections
Demonstrate the value of subjects in a wider life context by connecting student interests to real world experience. This creates active learners who see the classroom as a place they want to be. Real-world connections include:
Windows and Mirrors
The world looks different depending on who and where you are. Students need to practice understanding multiple points of view. The study of texts that reflect their own identities, experiences, and motivations (mirrors) and also provide insight into the identities, experiences, and motivations of others (windows) can move students toward more nuanced perceptions of the world around them.
– Adapted from “Teaching Tolerance”
- Texts and visuals that reflect different cultures
- Texts that depict the accomplishments and struggles of people in other times and places
- Text selection through the lens of relevance and diversity