The Birches Academy Purchases Building

Salem, New Hampshire, July 30, 2024: The Birches Academy of Academics and Arts Chartered Public School has purchased the building at 419 S. Broadway in Salem. Financing is through HarborOne Bank and The New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority. Legal Counsel was provided by William C. “Tuck” Tucker of Wadleigh, Starr & Peters, PLLC of Manchester.

In February 2024, the arts-integrated, STEAM-focused, tuition-free charter public school announced it had leased an additional 12,000 square feet of space in the building they’ve been at since 2012, bringing the total square footage of the school to 36,000 square feet. At the time, it was also shared that this was a step towards purchasing the building as the school’s permanent home.

Renovation of the school’s expansion is well underway, with many new and enhanced areas inside and outside on track to be ready for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year in September. Expanding space by a third opens a path to expand the student population from 235 to around 300 students, widening the possibility of a Birches Academy education to all New Hampshire students.

Founded in 2012 with 88 students in grades 1-8, in the school’s twelve years of operation it’s nearly tripled in student population and added a Kindergarten. In 2022, Birches Academy earned recognition by the US Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School. It’s also been named as the #1 charter elementary school in New Hampshire and the #2 charter middle school. 

Members of the Birches Board of Trustees and school administration have and to continue to work with town and state agencies to ensure that all health and safety requirements are met. Learning spaces were carefully designed to create engaging learning spaces to support and extend the curriculum, which is deeply rooted in the arts while also shaping the STEAM skills relevant to the future workforce. The school’s mission is to meet our students where they’re at, and who can compete successfully as citizens who can change the world. 

“As far back as our founding in 2012, we’ve put a relentless focus on long-term sustainability. This has been a challenge due to the funding models for charter schools, but our school and local community has pledged unwavering support to help us reach this milestone of owning our space, rather than renting it. We couldn’t be more excited to be renovating and adding to our space, which allows us to bring even greater offerings to our students – from continuing our core focus on traditional academics to expanding our music programs, art studio and student clubs and activities,” said Christie Storniolo, co-founder and chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Birches Academy admissions for grades 1-8 are available via a wait list; class sizes are 25 per classroom including a lead teacher and assistant teacher. Kindergarten students are admitted via lottery each January, with preference given to siblings of enrolled students. The fall 2025 lottery will open in October, and families interested in any grade level can add their children to the waitlist at any time.  

419 S. Broadway is also home to businesses including Balduccis, The Enchantment Room, Froggy’s Party Pad and Home Decor Group of NH. All businesses will remain as tenants. This is also the former location of Bull Moose; Birches Academy has expanded into the space previously occupied by that store.

About The Birches Academy

A National Blue Ribbon School, The Birches Academy of Academics and Art is a publicly funded chartered public school in Salem, NH. Open since 2012, the school serves nearly 300 children in grades K–8 from over ten communities in southern New Hampshire. Its mission is to provide a learning community that supports excellence in core academics, STEAM and the arts while cultivating each child's individual qualities and strengths. Learn more at www.birchesacademy.org