Profile of Silva Magnet High School
for Health Care Professions
Overview
Located in the largest international metroplex in the world; (El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico), Silva Magnet School for the Health Professions is one of six comprehensive magnet programs in the El Paso Independent School District. Silva Magnet High School for Health Care Professions is uniquely situated across the street from the new Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine and is in the center of the new economic development, the Medical Center of the Americas. This exemplary school is the beginning step of a community vision, to establish a pipeline for students to go from high school to college to School of Medicine all in our local community.
Approximately 615 students from six different school districts in El Paso County attend Silva Health Professions Magnet School. A majority of the student body are on free or reduced price lunch programs and many travel up to one hour on a school bus to attend school every day. The great majority of the students are Hispanic/Latino and only one-third of the student body are considered gifted and talented. Nonetheless, Silva has earned the Exemplary Academic Status from the state of Texas’ academic accountability rating system since 2003. 100% of its student body graduate high school and then 90% attend a four-year university and 8% attend a two-year college. Of this college-going Silva population, records indicate that at least 50% pursue a degree in health science, biology or chemistry.
Students are selected to attend Silva through an application process which considers the students’ GPA and standardized test scores from middle school. Applicants also must demonstrate an interest in pursuing college level course work related to healthcare professions. Applications are accepted from incoming 9th and 10th graders at recruitment presentations conducted at various sites in the community. They are also accepted via the District’s public website.
The school’s curriculum is college preparatory emphasizing medical/healthcare professions. Students are encouraged to take Advanced Placement (AP), Pre-AP and Dual Credit courses while attending Silva. Over 70% of all juniors and seniors are enrolled in AP and Dual Credit courses. The faculty of 32 dedicated teachers includes twelve health science teachers who have extensive experience as licensed health care providers including nurses, dentists, occupational therapists, forensic lab specialists and medical technologists. During 11th grade, students are sent on clinical rotations to area health care facilities. During 12th grade, senior year, students have options to specialize in the areas of pharmacology, nutrition, clinical mental health, microbiology/pathophysiology, advanced biotechnology, forensics, physical therapy, or nursing.
Silva Magnet High School for Health Care Professions has received numerous awards honoring its outstanding academic successes. In addition to its state Exemplary rating since 2003, it also has received the Texas Business Education Coalition Award for the past seven consecutive years. Newsweek Magazine placed Silva on its “List of America’s Best High Schools” in 2006 and 2007. In 2011, U.S. News and World Report recognized Silva as a gold medalist in its rankings of outstanding high schools. Also, in 2003 and 2011, Silva was honored as a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education.
Programs/Strategies/Activities/Procedures Making Silva an Academic Success
Approximately 615 students from six different school districts in El Paso County attend Silva Health Professions Magnet School. A majority of the student body are on free or reduced price lunch programs and many travel up to one hour on a school bus to attend school every day. The great majority of the students are Hispanic/Latino and only one-third of the student body are considered gifted and talented. Nonetheless, Silva has earned the Exemplary Academic Status from the state of Texas’ academic accountability rating system since 2003. 100% of its student body graduate high school and then 90% attend a four-year university and 8% attend a two-year college. Of this college-going Silva population, records indicate that at least 50% pursue a degree in health science, biology or chemistry.
Students are selected to attend Silva through an application process which considers the students’ GPA and standardized test scores from middle school. Applicants also must demonstrate an interest in pursuing college level course work related to healthcare professions. Applications are accepted from incoming 9th and 10th graders at recruitment presentations conducted at various sites in the community. They are also accepted via the District’s public website.
The school’s curriculum is college preparatory emphasizing medical/healthcare professions. Students are encouraged to take Advanced Placement (AP), Pre-AP and Dual Credit courses while attending Silva. Over 70% of all juniors and seniors are enrolled in AP and Dual Credit courses. The faculty of 32 dedicated teachers includes twelve health science teachers who have extensive experience as licensed health care providers including nurses, dentists, occupational therapists, forensic lab specialists and medical technologists. During 11th grade, students are sent on clinical rotations to area health care facilities. During 12th grade, senior year, students have options to specialize in the areas of pharmacology, nutrition, clinical mental health, microbiology/pathophysiology, advanced biotechnology, forensics, physical therapy, or nursing.
Silva Magnet High School for Health Care Professions has received numerous awards honoring its outstanding academic successes. In addition to its state Exemplary rating since 2003, it also has received the Texas Business Education Coalition Award for the past seven consecutive years. Newsweek Magazine placed Silva on its “List of America’s Best High Schools” in 2006 and 2007. In 2011, U.S. News and World Report recognized Silva as a gold medalist in its rankings of outstanding high schools. Also, in 2003 and 2011, Silva was honored as a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education.
Programs/Strategies/Activities/Procedures Making Silva an Academic Success
- AP/Pre-AP and Dual Credit classes
- Health Science Technology Classes taught by licensed and experienced medical professionals
- Strong participation in HOSA (Health Occupations Student Association) and its competition
- Collaboration between the Magnet High School, El Paso Community College, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the Texas Tech University School of Medicine establishing a pipeline, from high school to Medical School
- Hospital and clinical rotations
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Community:
An international city neighboring the largest border city in Mexico, the combined population of El Paso and Juarez is over two and a half million. El Paso’s population alone is three quarters of a million. Maxine Silva Health High School is a four year high school located in central El Paso, across from a large health care complex which includes the University Medical Center Hospital, Texas Tech Medical Center, Texas Tech Medical School, and the Border Health Institute.
School Demographics:
The high school serves six school districts. Students are selected through a process involving test scores, and GPA. The majority of the students do not live in neighborhoods contiguous to the school, and represent people from differing socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. The Hispanic population is 83% with an Anglo population of 10% and other minorities making up 8%. Both the Texas Education Agency and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredit the school. Sixty percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch.
School Year:
The school year is divided into two semesters, and the school day is divided into an A/B block system. Students are able to take eight classes per semester, four each day. Grades are recorded at the end of each term.
Library:
The library is staffed by a professional librarian and has a seating capacity of 75. It contains over seven thousand volumes and audio visual items. The library includes a collection of college level medical texts. There are ten computers for student use, including online card catalog, database, and internet connection. Students also have access to the Jefferson High School library that includes over 60,000 volumes.
Curriculum:
The curriculum is college preparatory. All students are placed to the Texas Recommended Program. The curriculum emphasizes the medical/ health care profession. Students learn from professionals in area health care and research facilities, and earn 6.5 credits beyond the 24 required for graduation. A unique opportunity is presented during the junior year where students are sent out to do clinical rotations in area health care facilities. During senior year, students opt to take Research, Preceptorship, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Clinical Mental Health, Gerontology, and Scientific Research/Design.
Approximately 95% of students in Pharmacology take and pass the state exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Approximately 20 students are enrolled in and are articulated Vocational Nursing program with El Paso Community College. Students earn their associate’s degree in Vocational nursing while attending Silva.
Advanced Placement, Pre-AP, and Dual-credit courses are currently available with students receiving 8 additional points for Pre-AP and ten for AP. Advanced Placement courses are offered in English, Math, science, Social Studies, and Computer Science. The points are added to GPA/class rank. AP designation is noted by either “P” or “Q”.
Credit is awarded each semester upon successful completion of course objectives. Some semester courses serve as pre-requisites for subsequent courses, while others stand alone. This semester system encourages flexible scheduling to accommodate student needs.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Students participate in extra curricular activities with Jefferson High School. Jefferson/Silva has one of the largest fine arts departments in the city. The JROTC program is recognized as one of the top programs in the southwest. Most Silva students participate in Health Occupation Students of America. HOSA students compete on the state and national levels in health science related competitions. Silva has a Clown Internship in which students create a clown persona and costume and then go out to cheer up sick children and act as ambassadors of the Magnet school. The Clown Internship has been recognized as one of the great assets of the city.
Staff:
Silva has a direct staff of 30 employees. The administrative staff consist of a principal for Jefferson/Silva, one Campus Coordinator, two Assistant Principals, and two counselors each serving approximately 450 students and a four member office support staff. Thirty five teachers teach the core courses and the Health Science Technology curriculum. The twelve health science teachers have extensive experience as health care providers. The staff of Jefferson High school teaches elective courses.
Awards:
Silva was distinguished with the 2003 and 2011 No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon Award. It has earned an “Exemplary” rating from the Texas Education Agency every year that it has been eligible. This is the highest rank awarded. For the 2001/2002 school year, Silva earned TEA Gold Performance Recognition for Attendance, Advance Academic Course Completion, College Readiness, and Recommended High School Program Completion.
In the fall of 2002, Silva was the only school in El Paso to receive a five star rating from Texas Monthly Magazine. Also in 2007, the Texas Business and Education Coalition and the Just for Kids Organization named Silva one of the nine best high schools in Texas. In the spring of 2003, the National Coalition for Educational Excellence recognized Silva for its academic excellence in test scores and graduation rates. Newsweek Magazine also placed Silva on the “List of America’s Best High schools” in 2006 and 2007.
Graduation Rates:
Silva has a 100% graduation rate. Approximately 90% of the senior class attends a four year institution and 8% a two year college. Surveys of students indicate that 85% of the students attend the college of their choice. Information from college within the state of Texas shows that 50% of graduates pursue a degree in health science, biology, or chemistry.
Grading Policies:
Numerical scores are used in determining student academic achievement. All districts in Texas use a numerical scale of 0-100. A grade of 70 is the minimum for a student to pass a course and be awarded credit. Maintenance of a grade of 70 in each course is required for participation in extracurricular and other activities. Numerical scores are used on all Academic Achievement Records (transcripts). The following letter grades and their numerical ranges are used in grades 1-12 to convert transfer grades of incoming students. This district issues numerical grades only. EIAB Legal 19 TAC 75.191 (a) (d) (f)
90-100 (A)
80-89 (B)
75-79 (C)
70-74 (D)
0-69 (F)
All credits earned in the high schools of the El Paso Independent School District are based on the semester system. Students having earned credits under any other system must have their credits evaluated and converted to semester credits for calculation toward graduation.
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