Salem Academy
Encyclopedia
Salem Academy is a boarding and day school for high school girls in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
. It is formally known as Salem Academy and College where it shares its campus with Salem College
, located near historic Old Salem
. Salem Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious girls' boarding schools in the United States
.
to join the new community. One of them was 17-year-old Elisabeth Oesterlein, who would be the first teacher of what is now Salem Academy and College.
There were very few girls' schools at the time, particularly in the South; word spread about the girls' school, and the school accepted boarding students in 1802. The school grew considerably throughout the 19th century both in size and course offerings, with college-level courses being offered in the 1860s. As the college-level curriculum expanded, the school officially became known as Salem Academy and College in 1907. Despite such travails as the American Civil War
and a measles
epidemic
in the 1800s, the Academy has never closed its doors in the more than two centuries since those first classes were held.
Salem Academy is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
. Applicants are also required to undergo an interview before receiving admission. Salem accepts students from all over the United States as well as around the world.
, junior-varsity field hockey, varsity volleyball
, varsity tennis
, junior-varsity tennis, and varsity cross country
. In the winter season there are varsity swimming
, varsity basketball
, and junior-varsity basketball teams. In the spring there are varsity softball
, varsity soccer, junior-varsity soccer, and varsity track teams. There is also an equestrian
and golf extracurricular team.
In February, the Athletic Council holds a bonfire
where students gather around a large fire on the athletic fields to roast hotdogs, make smores, and drink hot chocolate.
, which is a candlelight choral service in which students sing Christmas carols and seniors serve coffee and buns in the Moravian tradition.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
. It is formally known as Salem Academy and College where it shares its campus with Salem College
Salem College
Salem College is a liberal arts women's college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina founded in 1772. Originally established as a primary school, it later became an academy and finally a college. It is the oldest female educational establishment that is still a women's college...
, located near historic Old Salem
Old Salem
Old Salem is a historic district of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It features a living history museum that interprets the restored Moravian community. The non-profit organization began its work in 1950, although some private residents had restored buildings earlier...
. Salem Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious girls' boarding schools in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
Salem was founded in 1772 by early Moravian settlers who held the view that girls deserved an education comparable to that afforded boys. Among the town's early residents were 16 girls and women who walked more than 500 miles from Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaBethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
to join the new community. One of them was 17-year-old Elisabeth Oesterlein, who would be the first teacher of what is now Salem Academy and College.
There were very few girls' schools at the time, particularly in the South; word spread about the girls' school, and the school accepted boarding students in 1802. The school grew considerably throughout the 19th century both in size and course offerings, with college-level courses being offered in the 1860s. As the college-level curriculum expanded, the school officially became known as Salem Academy and College in 1907. Despite such travails as the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and a measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
in the 1800s, the Academy has never closed its doors in the more than two centuries since those first classes were held.
Affiliation
Originally founded by the Moravian Church, Salem Academy is now an independent institution that retains some of the traditions of the church. Salem's mission is shaped by the Moravian beliefs that have stressed the importance of education and learning as central to their mission for centuries. Other Moravian traditions still practiced at the school include the senior vespers held at the end of every fall term, which includes a Moravian Lovefeast.Salem Academy is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Admissions
All applicants are required to send middle school transcripts and teacher recommendations, and must take the Secondary School Admission TestSecondary School Admission Test
The Secondary School Admission Test, or SSAT, is an admissions test administered by the Secondary School Admission Test Board to students in grades 5-11 to help determine placement into independent or private junior high and high schools....
. Applicants are also required to undergo an interview before receiving admission. Salem accepts students from all over the United States as well as around the world.
Academics
Salem Academy offers a college preparatory curriculum, and 100 per cent of Salem Academy students traditionally continue their education in college and are accepted at many of the top colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.Requirements
Salem requires 20 academic credits required for graduation, including four in English, two in a modern foreign language, four in mathematics, three in history, and three in science, plus requirements in art, music, theatrics, religion, and health and physical education.Advising
The student-faculty relationship is central to the academic experience at Salem. Small class size, averaging 13-14 students per class, and low student teacher ratio (9:1) allows Salem's superb faculty to know all their students due to the intimate learning environment. Salem's small classes characterized by lively discussions and debates; each girl has the opportunity to be known and a chance to be heard. This relationship with the faculty is supported by Salem's advising program. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor to assist the student in the selection of her courses, serve as a liaison between the student and her teachers, consult with parents about academic and related problems, and review and discuss all grades. While an advisor has many duties, foremost is that of being the student's friend—the adult who talks with her, helps her, and is her advocate.Jan Term
Jan Term is a three-week mini-term that gives students opportunities to pursue internships, enroll in special classes, and travel both in the United States and abroad. The school schedules trips each year that are organized and led by faculty members from different departments. For the first two years most students spend January Term on campus in focused classes or programs that allow each student to further explore her interests. Juniors and Seniors pursue internships outside of Salem where they can gain first hand knowledge of topics and careers of interest.Teams
Salem Academy has 13 athletic teams. During the fall season the teams are varsity field hockeyField hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, junior-varsity field hockey, varsity volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, varsity tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, junior-varsity tennis, and varsity cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
. In the winter season there are varsity swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, varsity basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and junior-varsity basketball teams. In the spring there are varsity softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, varsity soccer, junior-varsity soccer, and varsity track teams. There is also an equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
and golf extracurricular team.
Athletic Events
The Turkey Trot is held the week before Thanksgiving. It is a 1-mile walk/run event that all members of the Salem community are invited to participate in.In February, the Athletic Council holds a bonfire
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
where students gather around a large fire on the athletic fields to roast hotdogs, make smores, and drink hot chocolate.
Opening Chapel
Each fall the school year officially begins at Opening Chapel. The ceremony involves faculty and staff sharing personal messages and the Dean of Students reading letters from alumnae with well wishes and advice for current students. Alumnae from classes as far back as 1930 attend and are recognized by the current students.Smoosh Cake Banquet
Smoosh Cake Banquet is a "birthday celebration" for the Academy. Seniors get birthday cake slices with favors baked inside that they "smoosh" to retrieve. The favors a senior receives are said to foretell her future once she leaves Salem.Athletic Picnic
The school colors are purple and gold and the entire school is divided into two school spirit teams—the purple team and the gold team. Each year the new students learn which team they will be on at the Athletic Picnic, held in the fall. The athletic picnic includes games and displays of school spirit on the front lawn.Ring Banquet
Ring banquet is held on a Thursday evening in the fall. It is when the seniors receive their class rings. Ring banquet is the start of senior weekend and a favorite Salem tradition. Freshmen decorate, and the theme is kept a secret from the senior class.Senior Day
Senior Day is held the day after the Ring Banquet. In the morning, the seniors are entertained by the faculty and staff at a special breakfast. During the day the seniors, divided in groups, teach brief seminars to the younger students on the topic of their choice, ranging from origami to cupcake decorating to the philosophy of "The Office." The morning is concluded by the seniors acting out skits and singing the senior song to the other students, faculty, and staff during an outdoor luncheon. Starting with the Class of 2008, senior skits no longer exist due to fact that in the past, faculty members have felt insulted by the content of the skits. Instead the seniors prepared skits portraying what their four years were like, hopefully beginning a new Salem tradition.Senior Vespers
Senior Vespers is a cherished Christmas event that marks the close of the fall semester. The seniors lead a Moravian LovefeastLovefeast
A Lovefeast service is a service dedicated to Christian love, and is most famously practiced by the Moravians but also by groups descending from the Schwarzenau Brethren...
, which is a candlelight choral service in which students sing Christmas carols and seniors serve coffee and buns in the Moravian tradition.
Notable alumni
- Elizabeth CampbellElizabeth CampbellElizabeth Pfohl Campbell was one of the first and most prominent public television pioneers in the United States...
, 1919, founded WETA-TVWETA-TVWETA-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service member public televisionstation for the Washington, D.C., area. Its studios are in nearby Arlington, Virginia... - Sarah Childress PolkSarah Childress PolkSarah Childress Polk was the wife of the 11th President of the United States, James Polk, and the 12th woman to serve as First Lady. Sarah was born in 1803 to Joel Childress, a prominent planter, merchant, and land speculator, and Elizabeth Whitsitt Childress—the third of their six children...
, First LadyFirst LadyFirst Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
; wife of US President James K. PolkJames K. PolkJames Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee... - Sarah T. HughesSarah T. HughesSarah Tilghman Hughes was an American lawyer and federal judge who swore in Lyndon B. Johnson as President of the United States on Air Force One after the Kennedy assassination. She is the only woman in U.S...
, US District Court Judge, swore in president Lyndon Johnson - Tillie Kidd Fowler, 1960, politician
- Marshall ChapmanMarshall ChapmanMarshall Chapman is an American singer-songwriter and author.Chapman, the daughter of a cotton mill owner, was taken to an Elvis Presley concert in 1957 and says the experience changed her from a southern debutante to a nascent rock and roller...
, 1967, singer-songwriter - Kathryn HarroldKathryn Harrold-Background:Harrold was born in Tazewell, Virginia. She attended Mills College in Oakland, California, majoring in Drama.-Television:She has appeared in a number of TV series, including The Rockford Files, MacGruder and Loud, The Bronx Zoo, I'll Fly Away, The Larry Sanders Show, and Mister...
, 1968, actress - Rolonda WattsRolonda WattsRolonda Watts is an American actress, producer, voice over artist, novelist, motivational speaker, and television and radio talk show host. She was the host of eponymous Rolonda, an internationally-syndicated talk show which aired from 1994 to 1998...
, 1977, talk show host