Hillside Innovation Academy students and principal highlight programs, admissions and student agency

Dr. Silva and student leaders from Hillside Innovation Academy presented the school's mission, co-curricular programs and admissions timeline to the board.

Student government president David Opoku read HIA's mission: "we will continually overvalue each minute to maximize, prepare, and give the gift of education to every scholar." Student vice president Mackenzie Simajole and others described clubs and programs including a National Junior Arts Honor Society, Yearbook/Photography, a multicultural club, Student Government, My Sister's Keeper/My Brother's Keeper groups, robotics and a hydroponics STEAM club.

Dr. Silva said the school's annual goals align with district priorities (math, science and a student-agency/social-emotional-learning goal) and pointed to performance in science: "Last year was by 10 percentage points. This year was only slightly less than 5 percentage points," she said, noting HIA continues to outperform the state in that area.

She described an aviation program hosted with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) that included hands-on activities and said four scholars will simulate flight in spring 2025 through a sponsored opportunity. Dr. Silva also said the school received a grant for a computer-science club that is not yet operational and outlined the application-based admissions timeline: information sessions with the superintendent in mid-to-late January, application release in February, acceptances sent in April, and a required three-day incoming orientation in mid-August.

Why it matters: HIA's presentation highlighted programs intended to build student leadership and career pathways, and it clarified the admissions schedule and expectations for prospective scholars.

Dr. Silva invited families to reach out and visit HIA to discuss continued growth and partnership opportunities for the Hillside community.