Salem Academy
Overview

Experts in Educating Young Women For almost 250 years Salem Academy has focused solely on educating young women adapting and perfecting our curriculum along the way to meet the needs of contemporary students. An Academy education opens a world of possibilities. In today's globally-connected world girls deserve an education that will prepare them for the unexpected -- for opportunities and goals in a future not yet imagined. The teachers advisors and coaches at Salem are an exceptional presence in their students’ lives providing the inspiration and structure to help students discover and follow their unique talents and passions. The end result is this: The Salem experience shapes young women into the leaders the world needs: life-ready leadership-ready and world-ready.
Academics
Summary: Our college acceptance rate for seniors is 100 percent and our students out-perform a majority of high school students on the college board's ap exams. 14 Salem academy seniors have been awarded the prestigious morehead-cain scholarship for study at unc-chapel hill since the morehead-cain foundation began accepting female applicants in 1975. Thanks to our dual enrollment program through our sister institution salem college academy students can graduate with 14-plus hours of college credit. In 2021 academy seniors earned $4.1 Million in college merit scholarships an average of $79 000 per student.
Department Director Sara Spong
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 11
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 23
Number of AP Courses Offered: 11
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 91%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Writing Center
English
- Honors
- Literature
History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
- Art History
Foreign Languages
- Latin
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- The Bible
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Sociology
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Functions
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Statistics
Computer Studies
- Computer Science
Music
- Choral Music
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Dance
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Portfolio
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Design
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Internships
- Robotics
- Student Council
Distinctive or New Programs
Our January Term Provides Students The Opportunity To Take Classes In A Specialized Curriculum Participate In An Internship And Travel Internationally.
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 1
Average Students Per Dorm: 35
Number of Girls Dorms: 1
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
- Full Kitchen
- Refrigerator
Other Dorm Amenities
Facilities
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Pool
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
- Soccer Field
- Tennis Courts
- Dance Studio
Other Facilities
Clubs & Organizations
- Community Service
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Fencing Club
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Honor Council
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- National Honor Society
- Newspaper
- Peer Tutoring
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Yearbook
- Young Democrats
- Young Republicans
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Whether she scores the winning goal in the soccer game, harmonizes with her fellow singers in the Glee Club, wins a scholastic art award, or earns her highest grade in her toughest class, the Salem girl will end each day with a sense of accomplishment -- and with the Academy family celebrating her triumphs with her. Fine arts classes are built into the curriculum day at Salem Academy. They also provide activities and venues after school. Visual Arts Visual Arts students learn about the elements and principles of art through hands-on projects using various artistic media. Studio Art is offered at the beginner’s level, followed by course offerings of Advanced Studio Art and AP Portfolio Art. Student artwork is exhibited in the Elberson Fine Arts center biannually—in December and in May. Theatre The Salem Academy theatre program includes a robust course offering that develops both aspiring actors and technicians. The theatre program produces two mainstage shows each year that are performed in the Drama Workshop of the Elberson Fine Arts Center. Students also present one-act plays or student-directed plays in the Salem Academy Auditorium. Theatre I is a class designed for beginners, and students with a greater interest in theatre may participate in Advanced Theatre courses. Athletics In addition to our superb arts programs, we offer 13 interscholastic teams competing in ten sports. 87 percent of Academy students play a JV or varsity sport.
Arts Department Director: Ashley Pearson
Athletics Department Director:
Arts
- Acting
- Dance
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Portfolio
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Design
Interscholastic Sports
- Fencing
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Hiking
Graduates
Summary: Our college acceptance rate for seniors is 100 percent, and our students out-perform a majority of high school students on the College Board's AP exams. 14 Salem Academy seniors have been awarded the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship for study at UNC-Chapel Hill since the Morehead-Cain Foundation began accepting female applicants in 1975. Thanks to our dual enrollment program through our sister institution, Salem College, Academy students can graduate with 14-plus hours of college credit. In 2021, Academy seniors earned $4.1 million in college merit scholarships, an average of over $100,000 per student.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 480 | 500 | 470 |
75th percentile | 620 | 660 | 640 |
Notable Alumni
Sarah Childress Polk
Class of
the first formally educated First Lady in U.S. history wife of President James K. Polk and philanthropist/political advisor.
Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell
Class of 1919
founded WETA Washington D.C's first public television station.
Tillie Kidd Fowler
Class of 1960
served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives retiring in 2000 as the highest-ranking woman in the House.
Vonda Kimble Delawie
Class of 1975
is a retired foreign service officer in the U.S. Department of State who served in Croatia Turkey Ireland Italy and Mexico.
Leslie Kendrick
Class of 1994
earned a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in Great Britain.
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 25%
Average Merit Scholarship: 8,000
Current Endowment Amount: $8,000,000
Vital Information
Student Body Type: All Girls
Total Boarding: 25
Total Day: 37
Total Enrollment: 62
Boys: 0
Girls: 62
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: Rolling
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $50,500
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $26,000
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 54%
Average Awarded: $15,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 25%
Average Merit Scholarship: $8,000
Current Endowment Amount: $8,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Jessica Rogers
Admissions Phone: 336 721 2643
Fax: 336 721 2696
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.salemacademy.com
Nearby Schools
- Chatham Hall - 70mi / 112 km
- Oak Hill Academy - 71mi / 114 km
- Saint Mary’s School (NC) - 91mi / 147 km
- Virginia Episcopal School - 111mi / 178 km
- Christ School - 133mi / 215 km
- Asheville School - 139mi / 223 km






