Salem High School

I have no complaints for my daughter's academics, the classes and teachers all seem to be very helpful. My problem is with the new and current principal. He steps out of boundaries sometimes, giving unneeded punishments and believing rumors. I do not approve of him ruling my daughter's school and education.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal at this school is on a power trip. He is giving punishments that by far out weigh the action. Giving the students or their parents any opportunity to find out the reason for the actions. Many parents have had the same issue with him since he became principal. Threats of long term suspensions and or expulsions for actions the by no mean warrant.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has served both my children well on completely opposite ends of the education spectrum for 7 years. My daughter attended as part of the Visual Arts Academy Program, and my son attends in special services and inclusion classes. Each child has had challenges, but various teachers and principals have stepped forward and helped us and our children get through each challenge. Salem High School has been excellent and should have higher reviews here than it has.
—Submitted by a parent

Salem High schools offers many programs as well as providing a culturally diverse experience. In Virginia Beach this school is the Arts Academy. We had (as parents) an overall positive experience here. The principal, and supporting staff truly want to see the kids succeed, and any high school truly is what you make of it. The teaching staff and counseling staff are a group of caring individuals. Overall our children enjoyed their experience there. They were involved in music, sports, theater, NJROTC, and student council. We will miss the many positive experiences we had there.
—Submitted by a parent

Innovative teachers who can help students have fun learning, offer strong opportunities for the arts, and still maintain high state testing scores.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am an alumni and the school environment is so rich and diverse with great students who are active in organizations and teachers who care about their students' success.

As a professor and consultant to various national education programs, I am most impressed with the Filipino American Cultural Society (FACS) of Salem High School, taught by exemplary teacher Ray Obispo. Performances by students of FACS have impressed audiences throughout the United States for well over a decade. I even took a videotape of FACS students when I lectured abroad; an international conference gathering was moved by students' original poetry, skits, acting. Most recently, I've written about FACS in a national review of curricula that promotes critical thinking and education for social justice. FACS alumni are national leaders in politics and various fields. Many have even assumed responsibility for mentoring 'the next generation.' This is education at its best. Kudos to Salem High School in VA Beach!!

I just recently graduated from Salem this June and I say that the school has gotten a lot better. There were less fights and Dr. Robertson really stepped up to being principal. When I was a freshmen & sophomore when Mr. Donahoe was principal were a lot of fights that seem to happen like every week. Also, I feel like parents need to be involve in what their children are doing. The teacher quality is okay. I know there is some teachers that care about their students but I had some teachers who didn't teach very well.
—Submitted by a former student

I had a child that attended Salem High 9th through part of her 11th grade year I moved her to another school because of safety and a lack of quality teachers and adminstators. That was in 2003.My opinion of this school since then has greatly improved. I have a junior attending now and am very pleased with the way things have changed. I believe our principal,the academy and parent involement have helped change this.The overcrowding problem has been corrected also.My daughter loves school and is involved in SCA, sports and the academy. I have recomended this school to many of my clients. L.M.
—Submitted by Linda Martin, a parent

This is my son first year in High School and I was nervous about it, but I was very impress how quickly he adapted to it. He in the NROTC program where he has grown alot as a person, he is now trying out for the football team. For me all I have is wonderful things to say about this school. He is even making honors as well. I am really happy with his school. Right now I can't think of another school I would have wanted him to go to.
—Submitted by Renee, a parent

I was very disappointed with the actions this school took when my child was failing. I would hope the new principal takes steps to ensure this situation does not repeat itself for another parent/child. Keep an eye on your child to ensure that they do not fall behind cause you cannot rely of the administration to inform you.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had three children attend Salem HS. My hope is that the new principal will correct the issues of the last one and his staff. My last child excelled as a student and at extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

Salem has improved greatly since the arrival of the current principal in 2005. He is correcting the problems caused by the previous weak leadership and the results are visible and welcome. The building and grounds are clean, the attitude is better and standards are higher. If your impression of Salem is from before September 2005, you need to come see the great improvement!
—Submitted by a parent

As a Salem graduate i have to disagree with what some of the parents have stated in the school. I graduated c/o 2005.2005 was not one of the best yrs. of salem but they have had tried turning it around since then, and with the new principal i know that the school is way much more cleaner and much more discipilined and in order. I also disagree with the academic/athletes being ' minority ' considering more than half the school is involved with some sort of activity. i do have to agree salem has some of the greatest teachers - one in particular helped me find something i was really passionate in. i was lucky to go to a school that was so diverse and i am proud to be an alumni.
—Submitted by k r, a former student

I attend Salem High School until 2008. It's a great school and vilonce is hardly seen around the school. We have a new principal and i hes doing a fine job making sure everything stays that way. Extracurricular activities are great everyone is involved in at least 1 activity. Im in tha Academy at salem and noone has yet complained about salem and the welfare of its student.
—Submitted by Terri S, a student

This school is being run by dangerous teenagers. Salem does have a few great teachers. But we left because we worried of our daughters safety. The athletic and acedemic students are the minority here. Prison like punishment, one is at fault the entire class is punished. Instead of going the extra step of finding the guilty party. Detention for all. Very happy with our new school where rules and spirit are the importance.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my 14 year old daughter out of this school earlier this year due to fear for her safety. She was harrassed daily by 11th and 12th graders and eventually ended up being assaulted by a 12th grader while the teachers made excuses as to why an attempt to intervene was not made earlier for my daughters safety. The students harrasing my daughter were only told to leave my child alone after I threatened legal action. The students in this school have no respect for authority and the teachers are afraid to demand it. My child is now in therapy because of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Salem back in 1995, attended college at UNC-Chapel Hill, now finishing my masters at North Carolina State. Salem provided me with the skills I needed to excel in the academic and in the 'real' world. The variety of academic choices was more than enough to open my eyes to the possibilites. Playing on several sports teams, educated me socially and exposed me to people 'different' than me. These experiences alone, helped me become successful in life.
—Submitted by a student

'I went to Salem High from 10th to 12th grade. I am now a senior at Virginia Wesleyan college. I am going to graduate with honors, and I feel that the wonderful base I received at Salem High helped me immensely in my educational carreer. I enjoyed learning, and wanted to absorb all I could. I hope some of the faculty is the same, they were divine! '
—Submitted by a former student