Special honors and awards are distributed annually to students. These include: 

HONOR GRADUATES are the two seniors who have maintained the highest academic average while students at Salem.
THE ELISABETH OESTERLEIN AWARD is Salem's highest award presented each year at the Founder's Day Convocation to a four-year senior who has exemplified quality leadership and has made a notable contribution to the quality of life at the Academy. Nominations are made by faculty, staff and students; and the final selection is made by the Oesterlein Committee of the Academy.
COMMENCEMENT MARSHALS are the students who have the highest academic averages in their class. Four juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen are chosen each year to serve. The Chief Marshal is the junior with the highest average.
FACULTY AWARD is given at graduation to the senior whose qualities of character, personalityand service most nearly exemplify those of the ideal Salem student. The recipient is selected by the faculty.
CITIZENSHIP HONOR is bestowed upon those girls whom fellow students feel have lived up to all the characteristics of a good citizen in the Salem community. In order to receive this honor, a girl must be elected by at least 1/3 of her boarder or day group, at least 1/2 of her class and at least 1/4 of the student body.
ZANNE MEADS AWARD is presented to the student whose fellow athletes feel has exemplified good sportsmanship on and off the fi eld. The award is given in memory of a former Salem student known for her sportsmanship in all phases of life. The award is voted by the members of all of the athletic teams of the year.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY membership is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, character and service. Selection for membership is an honor accorded by the faculty to qualifi ed juniors and seniors who have been enrolled at Salem Academy for at least one semester. To be considered for membership, a student must first meet the scholastic eligibility requirement. A senior must attain an overall cumulative average of 92 for both the junior year and senior year, and a junior must attain an overall cumulative average of 92 for the junior year. If the scholastic eligibility requirements are met, the student may then be considered for membership on the basis of her leadership, service, and character.
NATIONAL FRENCH HONOR SOCIETY is for students in their fourth semester of French at the Academy who have maintained a B average in French for two semesters and an A- average in the third semester. Students must have a B average overall in all other courses with no failures in any course. Following induction, each member of the French Honor Society is to tutor an Academy student in French 8 hours per academic year.
NATIONAL LATIN HONOR SOCIETY is for students in their fourth semester of Latin at the Academy who have maintained a B average in Latin for two semesters and an A- average in the third semester. Students must have a B average overall in all other courses with no failures in any course. Following induction, each member of the Latin Honor Society is to tutor an Academy student in Latin 8 hours per academic year.
NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY is for students in their fourth semester of Spanish at the Academy who have maintained a B average in Spanish for two semesters and an A- average in the third semester. Students must have a B average overall in all other courses with no failures in any course. Following induction, each member of the Spanish Honor Society is to tutor an Academy student in Spanish 8 hours per academic year.
THE BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD presented to a senior who has maintained at least a “B” average while participating in athletics while at the Academy.
SERVICE TO SALEM AWARD presented to one or more seniors, selected by the faculty. The award recognizes students’ special service to the Academy.
MU ALPHA THETA the national high school and junior college mathematics club. This club’s purpose is the promotion of scholarship, enjoyment and understanding of math. Requirements for membership are completion of five semesters of college preparatory math and an overall B average in those courses.
HONOR ROLL is determined at the end of each grading period, semester and end of the year. For a student to be named to the Honor Roll, she must have As and Bs in all of her subjects.  The Head of School's List honors those students with all As.
INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY is for theatre students who have completed 100 hours of service to the theatre department. This is a lifetime membership.