At Salem Academy students apply their learning to service projects througout their middle and high school years. These hands-on projects in the community allow students to connect academics to their lives, bringing learning alive!  Projects are conducted in conjunction with community-based organizations such as the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Harbor CDC, the Salem Mission and Salem Sound Coastwatch.

 How it works:

First Form students meet in 3-5 half-day service labs throughout the trimester. At the close of each trimester, Frist Form students meet for one (1) week in groups of twenty-two (22) students with two (2) teachers. The primary purpose of these intensive projects is to introduce students to the concepts and skills involved in service learning. While discovering what service learning is, students become familiar with issues in their community and learn how they can help address these issues using Salem Academy's Five Step Process (Identify, Research, Plan, Act, Reflect).

Second & Third Form students, who are familiar with the Five Step Process, engage in year-long service projects through one of their academic classes and, thus, have the opportunity to connect academics to service throughout the year. Teachers guide students in using their skills and knowledge from academic classes to implement service projects. The teacher directs students in identifying an issue in the community, researching the issue, planning their project, implementing it, and reflecting on their work. Their experience in the community enhance student understanding of academics and increase their awareness and appreciation of their surroundings.