[1][2] Salem was founded in 1772 by early Moravian settlers who held the view that girls deserved an education comparable to that afforded boys.

Among the town's early residents were 16 girls and women who traveled, mostly on foot, around 500 miles from Bethlehem, Province of Pennsylvania, to join the new community.

Despite such travails as the American Civil War and a measles epidemic in the 1800s, the Academy has never closed its doors in the more than two centuries since those first classes were held.

All U.S. applicants are required to send middle-school transcripts and teacher recommendations, and must take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT).

The Class of 2017 had a 100 percent college acceptance rate and earned more than $3 million in scholarship offers.

[3] Jan Term is a three-week mini-term that gives students opportunities to pursue internships, enroll in special classes, and travel both in the United States and abroad.

The school schedules trips each year that are organized and led by faculty members from different departments.

Juniors and Seniors pursue internships outside of Salem where they can gain first hand knowledge of topics and careers of interest.

During the fall season, the offered sports include: varsity and junior-varsity: field hockey, volleyball, tennis, and cross country.

The athletic picnic includes games and displays of school spirit on the front lawn.

During the day the seniors, divided in groups, teach brief seminars to the younger students on the topic of their choice, ranging from origami to cupcake decorating to the philosophy of "The Office."