2. SILSA creates rigor, relevance and relationships in a
learning environment that fosters academic, technical and
interpersonal skills, allowing students to explore post-
secondary education and employability through a
commitment to innovation and creativity with a clear vision
of the future.
SILSA Mission
3. The SILSA faculty promises that we will empower our
graduates to:
➢ Care for themselves, one another, and the Earth;
➢ Contribute to their community with collaboration,
leadership, and respect;
➢ Direct their own learning throughout their lives;
➢ Ask good questions, solve complex problems, and think
critically;
➢ Create meaning from numbers and text;
➢ Communicate clearly and elegantly;
➢ Use technology ethically and skillfully.
SILSA Outcomes
4. Grades 9-12
Currently 278 students
Prepares all students to be college ready
All core courses are Honors or AP level
All courses are year-long on an A/B schedule
Inquiry-driven core courses
Located on 1st
floor of main building
Typical class sizes 9th
–26 10 and 11th
—25
Students are cross-enrolled in AHS and AB-Tech
for some electives
School Profile
5. Hard Workers who are willing to spend two hours a night on
school work
Good work ethic
Independent and intrinsically motivated
Willing to volunteer for your community
Successful 8th
grade EOG scores
Able to meet the academic expectations of an all Honors/AP
course load
Flexible
Willingness to learn new technology
Characteristics of successful students
in SILSA
8. ➢ Core courses are taught at Honors
or AP level
➢ For students wishing to attend a
college or university
➢ Rigorous coursework
➢ AVID courses available
Developing Rigor
9. Advanced Placement core courses
offered in SILSA:
AP Biology and Biology II
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Language & Composition
Other elective AP courses
are available in Asheville High
Advanced Placement
10. ➢ SILSA juniors and seniors have
access to college credit through the
new College & Career Promise
➢ Any AB Tech course is available to
SILSA students who are at least 16
yrs. old and have a 3.0 and meet
any prerequisite requirements
FREE of charge!
College Credit at AB Tech
11. SILSA has its own:
➢ Student Government Association
➢ National Honor Society
➢ Math Honor Society
➢ Applied Natural Sciences Club
Extracurricular Activities
& Leadership
13. ➢ SILSA students volunteer in the
community and work with
younger students.
➢ Community Service
Requirement
➢ 9th
& 10th
graders—at least
10 hours per year
➢ 11th
&12th
graders—at least
25 hours per year
Contributing to Community
14. ➢ PBL school-wide project
integrates curriculum through
essential questions such as
➢ “How can we make our
campus more sustainable?”
➢ “How do our food choices
affect our health and our
future?”
Asking good questions, solving complex problems, and thinking
critically
15. Asking good questions, solving complex problems, and thinking
critically
2013 Essential Question:
“How can we build a healthier community?”
➢Healthcare
➢Housing
➢Culture & Relationships
➢Environment
➢Food Access
➢Youth
➢Energy
➢Community planning &
infrastructure
16. Asking good questions, solving complex problems, and thinking
critically
This year’s essential question is
“How should biotechnology shape our future?”
19. 9th
graders take Survivor, that teaches students how to:
➢ Use hardware & software that is used in SILSA classes.
➢ Properly use the internet for research (Digital Information Fluency).
➢ Establish a positive “digital footprint”
➢ Use effective note-taking strategies.
➢ Use effective study strategies.
➢ Develop electronic Portfolios.
➢ Utilize independent study time
effectively.
9th
Grade Survivor Class
20. ➢ All SILSA
students are
issued a Dell or
Lenovo mini
laptop for the
school year and
use instructional
technology on a
daily basis
Using technology ethically and skillfully
21. ➢ Students create 4-year
eportfolios that
highlight best samples
of academic work,
community service,
awards, jobs, resumes,
etc.
➢ Many classrooms are
equipped with digital
writing pads and Smart
Boards for interactive
learning
Using technology ethically and skillfully
22. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
English I Earth Science English I Earth Science
World History Math II World History Math II
Spanish I Spanish I Spanish I Spanish I
Survivor PE Survivor PE
Yearlong (A/B) Schedule and
Semester Schedule
Monday Tuesday
English I English I
World History World History
Spanish I Spanish I
PE PE
Yearlong:
May have a
semester elective
Aug.-Jan, then
another Jan. -June
Semester Schedule:
4 classes Aug.-Jan
4 new classes Jan.-
June
23. English I, II, III, IV
World History, Civics & Economics, American History I & II
Earth/Environmental Science, Biology, and Physics or
Chemistry
Math
◦ Math I, Math II, Math III, + 1 more math (Discrete Math, Pre-calculus, AP
Calculus, AP Statistics)
Health & PE + 1 more PE (or ROTC)
Career Cluster or Concentration (4 courses)
Electives
◦ Survivor
◦ 1 Art course
◦ 1 Career Technical course
City & State Graduation Requirements
24. Architecture and Construction
Arts Education
Arts, Technology & Communications
AVID
Business Management and Administration
College Level or Advanced Placement
Finance
Foreign Language
Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Manufacturing
ROTC
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Career and Technical Education
25. Where are our SILSA graduates being accepted? (not
comprehensive)
AB Tech NC Central
Appalachian State NC State
Berea College Rotary Foreign Exchange in Brazil
Clark University SCAD (Savannah College of Art/Design)
Davidson College Shaw University
Fayetteville State Tulane University
Florida State University U.S. Coast Guard AcademyWinston-Salem State
Gardner-Webb U.S. Air Force
Grambling State UNC-Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte
Guilford University Greensboro, and Wilmington,
Mars Hill College Virginia Intermont
NC A & T Warren Wilson College
Western Carolina University
Wingate University
26. AMS Students –
Mrs. Graham will collect “Intent to Enroll” forms by Jan.
24th. Be sure to select SILSA and return to Mrs. Graham.
Counselors will be at AMS to register for classes in March
In District but new to ACS—
Jan. 7th
--Report to ACS Student Services (85 Mountain
St.) to pick up a Secondary Enrollment Packet.
Jan. 14th
—Turn in completed Secondary Enrollment
Packet
How do I apply to SILSA?
27. Out of district---
1.) Parent completes the 2014-2015, ACS Discretionary Admission
Application and Secondary School Assignment Application available
on our website (on January 7, 2014), www.ashevillecityschools.net
(follow the Student Admissions link).
2.) On February 4, 2014 these two applications, along with the most
recent (first semester included) transcripts showing grades,
attendance records, and disciplinary reports are brought to Student
Services to be sent to the school principal for approval. If student has
an IEP, provide it as well. Requests will only be sent to principals
when all required documents are provided.
3.) Upon principal approval, parent submits to Student Services the
completed enrollment packet (given to them on February 4), the
Release from the home school district, and tuition.
4.) Should a student be denied admission, based on grades, attendance,
and disciplinary reports, a letter from Student Services will be sent to
parents within 5 days of denial.
How do I apply?
