On July 1, CPS welcomed Dr. Kenneth Salim as our new Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Salim brings experience leading district-wide academic initiatives that increase teacher quality and student results as well as national expertise on professional learning. He comes to Cambridge from the Weymouth Public Schools, where he served as Superintendent since 2012.
Among his accomplishments in Weymouth, Dr. Salim led a collaborative community process that produced a shared vision and plan for increasing educational excellence. During his four year tenure, educational outcomes improved including district-wide gains in student growth and performance, a decreased student drop-out rate, and increased numbers of students participating in AP courses and the PSATs.
Dr. Salim previously served in a number of leadership positions within Boston Public Schools, including as Senior Director of the Chief Academic Office. Accomplishments in Boston include shaping district administrative structures to support teaching and learning at the school level. His perspective is informed by national leadership roles including serving as President of the Board of Trustees of Learning Forward, a 10,000 member international association for educators, and facilitating the national Redesign PD Partnership convened by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
As a Kauffman Foundation Education Ventures Fellow, Dr. Salim co-founded Persistence Plus, an innovative organization that marries mobile technology, behavioral science, and data analytics to nudge students towards college persistence, and today works with colleges and non-profits globally.
Dr. Salim’s career in education began as a high school biology and AP biology teacher. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Brown University and a Master’s degree in Education Policy and Management and Doctorate in the Urban Superintendents Program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
As Dr. Salim gets to know Cambridge Public Schools, he will share his plans for continuing our commitment to excellence and equity. Please join in welcoming him to our district and community!
Photo by Bethany Versoy