Meet Salem’s Class of 2024

More than 2,800 students graduated from high school last week in the Salem-Keizer School District.

The Class of 2024 includes 2,876 graduates and 113 students who earned a GED. More seniors will graduate over the summer as they complete summer school degree requirements.

Of these, 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 their high school education online during the Covid pandemic, with most returning part-time to physical classes in the spring of their junior year.

Salem Reporter spoke with nine graduates, representing every high school in the district and multiple programs, to provide insight into the Class of 2024. This year’s graduates include champion athletes, recent immigrants, determined mothers, leaders and talented artists.

Contact journalist Rachel Alexander: (email protected) or 503-575-1241.

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Rachel Alexander is the managing editor of the Salem Reporter. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She has been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she is a skater and board member of Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.