Salem High School

Posted: May 27, 2026

Posted: May 27, 2026

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Posted: May 27, 2026

Posted: May 27, 2026

My freshman year is coming to an end and I've had more bad experiences than good. I've been involved in an incident where a junior cussed my friend out while his friends backed him up. There are people who have been essentially bullying my best friend and nothing has been done about it despite me and others reporting it multiple times and even going to a staff member to report it WHILST it was happening. Strangely enough, one of the people I reported ended up making his way into the cheer team. It's really uncomfortable and discouraging watching the people who have been causing issues to me, my friends, and likely others, succeed in this school because our efforts go unnoticed. This school does NOT take these incidents seriously which is why so many fights happen because they make no effort to prevent the events that lead up to more serious incidents. The only good thing about this school is the food.

Posted: April 4, 2025

My son is in this school now. He is in the Art Academy. His experience has been excellent so far. Teachers are supportive and want to see their students succeed.

Posted: April 4, 2025

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Posted: March 21, 2023

A school is what you make of it!

Posted: March 21, 2023

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Posted: June 10, 2021

I got caught up in an incident freshman year that involved fighting. Although it was after school, just for fun with a friend, and a decent distance from the school. They considered it on school property because they are considered responsible for us until we reach our house after school. It was dumb but I don’t believe it was worth calling my parent and telling them I “started a fight club”. The counselor had no reason to make a statement and punish me with OSS for a week just for having fun with a friend after school.

Posted: June 10, 2021

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Posted: June 18, 2020

I love my school. It's the best one that I've ever attended.

Posted: June 18, 2020

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Posted: May 23, 2020

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Posted: May 23, 2020

Amazing school! I couldn’t come up with any negative aspects. Thank you SHS and all their staff.

Posted: July 14, 2019

Posted: July 14, 2019

Posted: July 14, 2019

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Posted: July 14, 2019

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Posted: July 14, 2019

I personally had a terrible experience at this school back in 2009-2013. Bullying was terrible, the staff did next to nothing with people with disabilities (learning and physical). The music department was okay, but they also did next to nothing with the regular chorus classes, just with the "Special Acadamy" kids. I would have liked to see more progressive stuff there...but that is just my unpopular opinion.

Posted: May 22, 2019

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Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

My son is very happy at this school. It used to have a not-so-great reputation, but it has grown and flourished into a wonderful high school. The Visual and Performing Arts Academy is fantastic, and has possibly helped diversify the school. We've been very happy with it.

Posted: March 27, 2019

Salem High School staff is terrible, unless you catch them on the right day. It feels like the staff brings their domestic issues to work with them . Very unprofessional

Posted: March 27, 2019

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Posted: March 27, 2019

Multiple standards by the staff have no rhyme or reason.

Posted: March 27, 2019

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Posted: January 16, 2019

I would go to this school because they teach good life skills

Posted: January 16, 2019

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Posted: September 24, 2018

My Son has a IEP & They work with him in every way necessary to help him stay on top of his homework. Ive been very Impressed so far w/ this school.

Posted: September 24, 2018

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Posted: September 24, 2018

Posted: September 24, 2018

When coming to this school, I did not expect to be so pleased and comfortable with the caring and support myself and son have gotten. I would recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: August 9, 2018

Posted: August 9, 2018

The teacher will contact you if they see a change in your child. They give the students daily opportunities for tutoring. The school offer time slots monthly (bi-weekly) for teacher/parents to schedule conferences to have a discussion about your child progress or ways to improve. The teacher works with involved parents to ensure your child is successful.

Posted: August 9, 2018

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Posted: August 9, 2018

I am really impressed with this Virginia Beach Schools but especially Salem High School. The guidance staff and teachers are great!!! The students are amazing!!! I believe this school gets overlooked due to its size which I believe its Salem's biggest asset.

Posted: September 4, 2014

I'm a junior currently attending Salem & I can honestly say that I've enjoyed my time here.The teachers are really supportive and nice, for the most part with few exceptions. I metso many people from so many ddifferent backgrounds and the VPAA really enhance the school. Its unbelievable how much talent is in Salem, & its not just the Academy either. Salem has excellence in sports, clubs, & in the classroom. My only criticism of Salem is how trivial the administration can be when it comes to rules , they are almost tyrannical & Keever is really making changes that are detrimental to the many flourishing programs at Salem. Overall Salem is a good school and you can have a good experience there.

Posted: June 21, 2014

I see the quality of education at SHS! Based on the way the students write the word "Principle"i in the 2 most recent posts. There have been a lot of problems in the middle school which will filter into the high school. My son is zoned for this school and am so HAPPY he will not be going there, he was accepted to an academy program elsewhere!

Posted: April 22, 2014

I go to Salem at the moment and also in the academy for theatre. I believe Salem is great we might need a little more updating but its one of the best schools around . I love our principle and the rules he enforces are good to keep us in line. We havn't had a fight , or anything I feel safer in this school than I feel elsewhere . So I'm happy to be a sundevil!!!!!!

Posted: September 3, 2013

I have to disagree with other comments about the principle being too strict, I think the principle is doing an AMAZING job keeping the school a safe place to learn and a great place to attend. I attended school when the old principle was at salem and I never talked to him once in the 2 years I was at Salem with him, but with the new principle, I talk to him almost every day and he does a very good job of keeping in touch with students. The school values academics as much as athletics and clubs. It's great to have a school that so strong in supporting students. The student government at salem is even nationally recognized and has received a gold award for it's efforts!

Posted: July 26, 2013

I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to attend Salem High School. I have had amazing teachers and met amazing people! Many people say that the principal is on a 'power trip' that he 'over-steeps boundaries', and gives 'unneeded punishments' and I feel that they are wrong. I believe that the principal is doing a good job at keeping the school from falling apart. The Visual and Performing Arts Academy (where I will be going into my third year in the theatre strand) provides all the students with an in depth knowledge of their desired subject and provides them with the skills needed to have a job in that field. The teachers in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPAA for short) form real relationships with all their students, and students are accepted in Salem whether they are in or out of the VPAA. Not only do I form relationships with my VPAA teachers, but I am also able to form relationships with my core subject teachers, which is something that can not be found at many other schools. Relationships between students and teachers will lead to a better ability to learn. I am thankful that I get to go to Salem and call myself a Sundevil.

Posted: July 24, 2013

Although I do agree with the other comments here that the new principal is over the top strict, my child's experience at this school has been excellent, with a couple of teacher exceptions (I think you find that anywhere). As long as your child knows the rules, they will flourish at this school. Lots of staff/teacher involvement and plenty of opportunity for the kids to get involved. Quality of education is exceptional. I am in real estate and have no problem recommending this school to prospective clients.

Posted: April 17, 2013

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.

Posted: February 14, 2013

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.

Posted: August 21, 2012

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.

Posted: October 19, 2011

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.

Reviewed: April 27, 2012

In Virginia Beach, High Schools have Academies attached to their HS. The students zoned for a specific HS go to that HS or they can test or apply to go to a different HS and be in their Academy.

Academies attached to HS are:
1) OCEANLAKES HS- Math Science Advanced Academy – students must test to get in
2) PRINCESS ANNE HS- International Baccalaureate (IB) Advanced Academy- students must test to get in
3) FIRST COLONIAL HS- Legal Studies Academy- students accepted by application
4) BAYSIDE HS- Health Science Academy- students accepted by application
5) SALEM HS- Performing Arts Academy- students accepted by application
6) TALLWOOD HS- Global Studies Academy- students accepted by application
7) LANDSTOWN HS- Technology Academy- students accepted by application

Schools without Academies are:
1) COX HS
2) KELLAM HS
3) GREEN RUN HS
4) KEMPSVILLE HS