SALEM — High school has been a unique experience for a group of seven young women who comprise the first graduating class of Salem Academy Charter School.
The graduates accepted their diplomas last night during a ceremony at Old Town Hall, marking the first graduation ceremony for the 5-year-old charter school.
"Not everyone has this experience," graduate Erica Hedstrom, 17, said. "To be the first graduating class in the school's history is exciting."
Since opening its doors in 2004, Salem Academy has flourished into a grade-six-to-12 school of 300 students, mainly from Salem. The school has been adding one to two grades per year and had its first senior class this year.
"I feel I did better here than I would have anywhere else," said Michelle Aroko, 18, who attended Bowditch School through grade eight. "I had more opportunities to participate."
The graduates, all of whom arrived at Salem Academy as ninth-graders, played a large role in shaping their high school experience in the fledgling program.
"It's been great," Hedstrom said.
"It's also been kind of hard," Aroko said. "Basically, we're the guinea pigs."
Salem Academy is in the Shetland Park office park off Congress Street in Salem. During the graduates' tenure, they have lived through the birth of sports, drama, music and community service programs, as well as academics.
"Students definitely have a voice in this school," Christina Berthaud, 17, said. "There are a lot of things in school we could change or reform ourselves. We would write proposals."
The Class of 2009 originally had 18 students, but it dwindled to seven by the end of senior year.
"We got a lot of direct help," Genesis Vasquez, 18, said, "and one-on-one time with teachers."
Small school, small class
Despite some lingering community opposition over the funding, the school has become a popular option for local families, offering an extended year, longer school days and a dress code, all in a small-school environment.
Katrina Ruelle said she has transformed herself in her four years at Salem Academy.
"I was a horrible student at Collins Middle School," Ruelle, 18, said. "I was really, really annoying when I came here. I was so craving attention from everyone, but now I'm just laid-back and calm. I needed this small environment."
The school's main goal is to prepare students for college, so everyone in grade 11 takes the SATs, and all seniors must apply to a range of colleges.
"It's about assuming that it's your right to go on to college," said Rachel Hunt, head of school at Salem Academy. "It's really important for them to believe that it's something they will do."
All of the graduates plan to further their education.
For example, Naomi Gomez, 18, is planning to study hospitality management at Marian Court College in Swampscott, and Berthaud will attend Suffolk University in the fall and major in communications.
Students said it wasn't a typical high school experience; there was no Senior Week, and they teamed up with a charter school in Somerville for a small prom.
"There have definitely been bumps and bruises along the way," Hedstrom said, "just like any school."
On the plus side, however, "you make friends with everyone because the school is so small," Berthaud said.
The graduates say they are proud to call Salem Academy their alma mater.
"I can't wait to grow up and go to college," Berthaud said, "and come back here and see how things have changed."
The graduating seniors from Salem Academy Charter School are Michelle Aroko, Amber Belis, Christina Berthaud, Naomi Gomez, Erica Hedstrom, Katrina Ruelle and Genesis Vasquez.
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