How Challenging is Salem High’s Curriculum?

Disclaimer: My opinions, not necessarily anyone else's opinions.

A recent comment posted on-line implies that Salem High’s curriculum isn’t very challenging. Let’s look at some context and decide if the statement is accurate.

Let’s build some perspective around Salem High’s purpose before we look at the curriculum. The Salem School District is governed by New Hampshire and federal laws. State and federal laws require that the Salem School District, within its annual budget, provide a “Free and Appropriate Public Education” to every child between the ages of six and eighteen years of age who legally resides in the town of Salem. That’s the basic purpose of Salem School District and Salem High; to educate all Salem students.

The district can’t select its students, it accepts everyone. No one is rejected. In the rare instance that the School Board expels a student, after a time the district must still provide a “Free and Appropriate Public Education”. We just pay someone else to provide it. Since Salem has one of the lower per-pupil costs around, it would likely cost more to educate a student somewhere else than in Salem, so expulsion is not an economical way to solve problems.

Since the district must accept all students, it needs to be acknowledged that there will be a range of student abilities and motivation levels. Some students are extremely capable and motivated and want challenging courses that will prepare them well for selective colleges or challenging careers. They will work hard and do well. Some students will be at the other end of the ability and motivation spectrum, but they are entitled to a “Free and Appropriate Public Education”. Out of necessity, Salem High needs to provide curriculum selections that fit all abilities and motivation levels.

Private schools can be selective about which students they accept and offer only one level of challenging courses and low class sizes. They can, and do, also charge between $11,000 and $35,000 per student per year for that education (room and board not included). Salem’s cost to parents who own a $300,000 home is closer to $4,000 per year, for any number of children, and that cost is already included in their property tax.

The State of New Hampshire requires that students earn a minimum of 21 credits to graduate from a New Hampshire public high school. Salem requires 28 credits to graduate from high school. A Salem High student must earn four English credits; four math credits (recently increased from three math credits for post-2014 graduates); three science credits; three social studies (federal, state and local history) credits; additional credits in art; computers; economics; health; physical education; eleven and one half credits of electives and achieve a passing grade on a writing sample to graduate. It is possible to earn 32 credits and some motivated students do earn 32 credits.

A student and parent may choose different levels of course difficulty in order to best match a curriculum challenge to a student’s ability and motivation level. Courses can be basic (e.g. Algebra 1 Concepts, Intro to Biology); more challenging (e.g. Honors Algebra, Honors English) or at a college level (e.g. Advanced Placement Calculus, Advance Placement Chemistry). There are courses suited to all levels of ability and motivation at Salem High. Salem High has to serve all levels of ability and motivation because everyone is entitled to a “Free and Appropriate Public Education”.

Remember, challenge is a question of ability and motivation; what is easy for some is a challenge for others. Does Salem High have a challenging curriculum? It would be more accurate to say that Salem High has several levels of challenging curriculum, depending on a student’s abilities and motivation. What level of challenge are you and your student willing to strive for? The choice you want is available at Salem High.

E-mail comments or questions to pmorgan@sau57.org.