Salem's Birches Academy Named National Blue Ribbon School

SALEM, NH —The Birches Academy of Academics and Art in Salem was recognized as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School on Friday, one of just 15 charter schools in the U.S., and the only charter school in New Hampshire, to earn the distinction.

Birches Academy, a publicly funded chartered school, is in its 10th year and has 225 students in grades K-8. The school, according to its charter, features an arts-integrated approach to education while also exposing students to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

"It's exciting and validating ... it's the teachers that work here, that's what it is," Birches Academy Dean of School Chris Smith said after learning of the honor. "I'm just super lucky to be in charge of a group of really talented teachers who work with the kids in more of a partnership. They try to meet every kid where they are.

"Whatever a kid is good at, we try to help them be the best they can be at that thing. It builds mastery, makes them feel good about school and gives them confidence that they are a successful student. (Students are) an agent of their own education. Instead of talking at them, we talk with them. It makes a difference."

Smith said the school was nominated for the Blue Ribbon honor by the State of New Hampshire. A committee then reached out to gather additional information about the school before selecting the final Blue Ribbon list.

"(The committed looked at) what you do programmatically and in what areas you show where you are different than other schools and innovative and how you achieve your results," Smith said.

Among the school's unique elements is the weekly Forrest Forum, an all-school meeting where students of all ages are invited to get up and speak. Parents also are encouraged to attend.

A suggestion box allows kids to decide what clubs they would like the school to offer. Parents often volunteer to lead those clubs.

Alyssa Ross, the secretary of the Birches Academy's Board of Trustees and a parent of three Birches alums, said that despite drawing from 10 to 15 towns in southern New Hampshire, the school still has a strong sense of community.

"I think a lot of people would say (one of the best elements of the school) is the community aspect," Ross said. "Some would be concerned that 'oh, my kids will not be with their (local) peers.' But people really like the community feel that we have."

Smith said one characteristic all the teachers at the school share is dedication, and that all the teachers work really hard to find the best path for each student.

"Though kids have different talents and strengths, we all know every kid is great at something and special in some way, and all the teachers share that (belief)," Smith said.