New Liberty Innovation School is anchored in three pillars:

  • Academic through competency-based learning practices, roadmaps to graduation, blended and project-based learning.
  • Student support through trauma-informed counseling and social-emotional learning pedagogy.
  • College and career readiness through community-based internships, and the creation of individual post-secondary plans…

…which allow students to develop the independence, self-awareness, and confidence needed to re-engage with their education and prepare for the next step in their lives’ journeys.

new liberty student solving equation

The Mission

The mission of NLIS is to engage all students in real-life learning about themselves and the world, to empower them to create a positive impact on their communities, and to ensure they have the tools to pursue their goals after graduation.

Vision

The tagline — ‘Welcome All, Challenge Yourself, Create a Positive Impact’ — was adopted by NLIS in 2017, and captures the goals of New Liberty as it seeks to grow its capacity as a community educational hub that attracts and supports students from Salem and surrounding communities in a variety of ways. NLIS employs progressive educational practices such as blended and project-based learning, early college opportunities, social entrepreneurship, and competency-based curriculum.

With a trauma-informed approach anchored by a dynamic student support and counseling team and developed through whole-staff PD sessions throughout the year, staff act as “warm demanders”,developing connections with students and their families.

new liberty students in class

At its core, New Liberty seeks to foster independent learners who know what they are working on and how it relates to their learning plan. These learning plans are customized, yet all based on the following Portrait of a Graduate profile:

Throughout students’ progress toward graduation, they are called upon to apply these skills to the decision-making process of the school, as well as projects in the school, workplace and community, addressing challenges in ways that draw on and deepen lessons from the classroom. As such, NLIS students are not always found within the school building – instead they are allowed and encouraged to grow their skills while involved in hands-on, real-world experiences with partner organizations.

Salem Public Schools District Core Values

Belonging – We believe all members of our community are valued and that our relationships are built on empathy and respect.

Equity – We believe in promoting social justice to ensure an inclusive school community where all members are empowered and engaged.

Opportunity – We believe all students should receive a personalized experience to achieve academic success, find joy in their learning, and have multiple choices for their post-secondary plans.