| 1860 | Crosby revises the curriculum again by more fully delineating between professional courses and general studies. The Advanced program is extended from two to three terms. |
| 1861 | The Civil War begins with the attack on Fort Sumter; the war would have an effect on enrollment and retention. Members of the class that entered in February 1861 would recall that "classes were shortened, sewing machines were brought in and the girls delved and toiled making shirts" for local soldiers.
The school's first trust fund is established with a $5,000 bequest from Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch, the son of Nathaniel Bowditch. The money was invested in a manner that complied with the "demands of patriotism and secure income" and used primarily for student aid. The first foreign student, Katie Knapp from Brompton, Canada, enters in September. |
| 1862 | A course in agriculture is introduced to comply with state requirements. |
| 1863 | Salem Normal School has the largest enrollment in the state system. It will hold this distinction until 1892. |
| 1865 |
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| 1866 | Students are required to observe classes in the city's public schools; the success of the nascent student teaching program leads Hagar to attempt to acquire proper facilities for a model school. It would take thirty years for his plans to come to fruition. |
| Back to the 1850s | Forward to the 1870s |