More than 2,800 students earned a high school diploma across the Salem-Keizer School District last week.
The Class of 2024 includes 2,876 graduates and 113 students who earned GEDs. More seniors will graduate over the summer as they finish diploma requirements in summer school.
Of those, 358 earned a seal of biliteracy, demonstrating proficiency in English and another native language. Those graduates include 127 from McKay, followed by South with 71, North with 69, West with 35, McNary with 30, Early College High School with 17, Sprague with six, and three from alternative high school programs including Roberts and the Teen Parent Program.
This year’s senior class began high school online during the Covid pandemic, with most returning part-time to physical classes the spring of their freshman year.
Salem Reporter spoke to nine graduates, representing each district high school and several programs, to give a snapshot of the Class of 2024. This year’s graduates include champion athletes, recent immigrants, determined mothers, talented chefs and artists.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
