Salem High School

• Salem High School was built in 1975-6 and opened on Willson Street in January of 1976.

• The pre-cast concrete and brick building cost $18M and replaced the "old" High School building on Highland Ave. which had been built in 1908-9. That school was later remodeled to be used as Collins Middle School.

• A total of 1,968 students were enrolled. The students were separated into three small high school groups or "houses" on each floor of the academic wing, which was formed around a central courtyard.

• An open house was conducted on April 25, 1976 to give everyone a chance to visit the new structure.

• The ceremonies included dedicating the school auditorium to M. Ruth Norton. Additionally, the three story library was dedicated to Judge Samuel E. Zoll.

• In 2026, Salem City Council voted to borrow up to $447M in order to pay for the construction of a new high school. The new high school will be 365,000 square feet and reside between the current high school's footprint and Highland Avenue. Much of the money for this project is expected to come from a raise in property taxes with about 44% coming from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

See Also

• Vertical File in Salem Collection - Schools #1

• "$18 M Salem High opens" Salem Evening News, Jan. 26, 1976, p. 1

• "New SHS 'it's beautiful' (open house)" Salem Evening News, Apr. 26, 1976, p. 1

• "City Council OK's $447M for new high school" Salem Evening News, Jan. 23, 2026, pg. 1