Students of Asheville High School and SILSA (School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville) will soon be able to take courses at UNC Asheville while still in high school beginning next fall as part of a new dual enrollment agreement.
UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant and Asheville City Schools (ACS) Superintendent Pamela Baldwin signed the agreement at UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library as students of both high schools, ACS Board Chair Jacquelyn Hallum, UNC Asheville Provost Joseph Urgo and other education leaders looked on.
“What this means is that students from the Asheville City Schools, in addition to the excellent work that’s happening there, will be able to take real college courses for real college credits which expedites the time toward a degree and exposes them to a higher level of work,” said UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant.
“We are excited that our students will be able to extend their learning throughout their tenure here at Asheville City Schools and work with a wonderful university,” said Asheville City School Superintendent Pamela Baldwin. “This is an opportunity for exposure to college. … Our students will know there’s an avenue for success.”
“Having true partnerships with our K-12 system and early childhood educators is essential,” said Grant. “That is what’s going to set us apart as a community, as a democracy. … And there’s more to come. We’re going to do a lot more with our partners in the schools.”
Grant and Baldwin, who both assumed their positions within the academic year, also thanked key staff members at both institutions for working together to expand the partnerships and focus on student success.