Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’d like to enroll. What’s the next step?
Q: Where’s your campus?
Q: Is SIL accredited, are courses approved by UC Doorways?
Q: Is SIL a private school?
Q: May I transfer credit from SIL to another school?
Q: Does SIL award high school diplomas?
Q: How will SIL prepare me for college?
Q: What is mastery learning?
Q: Is homework important?
Q: How long will it take to complete a course?
Q: How many lessons will it take to complete a course?
Q: Why take an Advanced Placement course at SIL?
Q: Is there a limit to the number of honors and AP courses I can take?
Q: May I meet your instructors?
Q: May I ask an infrequently asked question?

Question I’d like to enroll. What’s the next step?

To discuss enrollment, please call Ashley or Richard at 650.941.4350. We also welcome your emailed queries.

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Question Where's your campus?

Our Los Altos campus is located near the intersection of El Camino Real and North San Antonio Road. We border Palo Alto and Mountain View, 45 minutes south of San Francisco and 25 minutes north of San Jose. If you’re a visual learner, you can view a map!

School for Independent Learners
909 North San Antonio Road
Los Altos, California 94022

For those unable to attend class at our Los Altos campus, we offer distance programs.

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Question Is SIL accredited, are courses approved by UC Doorways?

Yes. SIL is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and all courses are approved by UC Doorways. You can view our course list here, at www.sileducation.com/courselist.html, or look us up through the Doorways site at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list.

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Question Is SIL a private school?

Yes. SIL is a tuition-funded private school for students in grades 6-12, with full-time and dual-enrollment programs.

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Question May I transfer credit from SIL to my high school of record?

Yes. Many students take only one or two classes at SIL, and transfer credit elsewhere. Credit earned at SIL may be applied toward high-school graduation from public and private schools, and may be used to replace low grades earned at other schools. Credit earned at SIL also counts towards college admissions.

Prior to enrollment, we provide students with a concurrent-enrollment form to be signed by a school counselor, granting written permission to take SIL coursework. We work closely with neighboring middle and high schools to ensure that credit is smoothly transferable.

Upon course completion, we'll mail official transcripts to the school of record, the student's home and, if relevant, to college admissions officers. To demonstrate enrollment at any time prior to course completion students may request an in-progress transcript.

We invite your questions, and we’re available to assist with paperwork or speak with your counselor.

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Question Does SIL award diplomas?

Yes. Students graduate high school once they've met our graduation requirement of 210 credits. Our graduation requirements match those specified by the State of California, yet our college-bound students complete additional credits required by UC and CSU campuses.

We'll gladly meet with you, at no cost, to help you determine what courses you'd need to take to graduate from SIL. For a credit-study consultation, please contact Ashley at 650.941.4350 or asarver@sileducation.com.

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Question How will SIL prepare me for college?

SIL is home to a rigorous college-prep, honors, and Advanced Placement curriculum set, along with a faculty that's passionate across disciplines and highly capable, adaptive to each student's needs. Beyond mastering the material, our students learn how to learn, and with our help they cultivate effective study habits that will support them through college and into their careers.

At our core, we are passionate educators who believe that each student can achieve independence if given the right resources, scaffolding, and inspiration. Our study hall is a supportive space where students can practice self-motivation as they work alone and with others. Our college guidance program matches students with colleges that are the best fit, not just the most exclusive. And faculty mentors assist students in the transition to a variety of college environments -- before, during, and beyond the first year of college.

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Question What is mastery learning?

SIL teachers have a philosophy of mastery learning. We don't penalize for honest mistakes made along the way, but we also don't consider a course complete until we've seen real understanding. Instead our teachers use their knowledge of each student to conduct an authentic assessment of progress.

In our mastery learning model we set rigorous learning outcomes and encourage teachers and students to customize the path each student takes towards achieving those goals. By allowing students to move through a course at their own pace -- and providing opportunities for students to address questions, work through confusions, explore connections, and produce authentic demonstrations of mastery -- we ensure that every student achieves meaningful understanding of every topic within a course.

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Question Is homework important?

Yes. We don't believe in busy work. Instead we assign homework that's calibrated for each student, designed to deliver a relevant and meaningful experience. Projects completed outside of class help students to work through challenging concepts and find creative solutions. Why just read about the world when you can also discover it? Why just study science when you can do science?

Students are encouraged to spend time in our drop-in study hall before or after class, working independently or getting extra help from teachers and friends so that they won't have to take their homework home.

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Question How long will it take to complete a course?

It varies. Students complete a course once they've achieved all course outcomes, regardless of how much or little time they've spent in class. Many students re-taking courses bring prior knowledge, and are able to progress quickly. Other students, finding the material challenging, may need more time.

Because the completion of any SIL course is predicated on a student's meaningful understanding, the timeframe in which you learn is determined by your own effort and ability. We do not require any number of lessons; once you demonstrate mastery of course outcomes, you'll have finished the course.

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Question How many lessons will it take to complete a course?

It varies. You might meet with your teacher every day or a few times a week, or you might schedule infrequent lessons as an independent study student. While a SIL semester is designed to span 30 to 40 lessons, self-directed students have completed a semester in as few as three lessons, and struggling students in many more.

In the first lesson of any course, you and your teacher will consider your prior knowledge, define a customized timeline, and establish what you'll need to accomplish each week to stay on track. And so estimating the number of lessons per semester is most accurate after the first lesson. Have pacing questions after the first lesson? Contact Ashley at 650.941.4350 or asarver@sileducation.com -- we're here to help you plan.

Note that students who visit our drop-in study hall -- or have access to additional tutorial support -- tend to progress more quickly. The study hall is available to all students at no cost, and students are always welcome to schedule extra one-to-one lessons.

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Question Why take an Advanced Placement course at SIL?

While traditional AP classes may move too quickly through dense material, our one-to-one classes allow students to explore a college-level subject at their own pace. As the only student in the class, you'll not be left behind. Schedule lessons at your convenience, as often or infrequently as needed.

To learn more about the AP Program, you can visit the College Board website. To learn more about AP at SIL, contact Richard or Ashley at 650.941.4350 or info@sileducation.com. To register for AP exams through SIL, contact Richard at rgowers@sileducation.com.

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Question Is there a limit to the number of honors or AP classes I can take?

No. You may take an unlimited number of advanced, honors, and AP courses -- in consultation with our school's Administration, Department Chairs, and Teachers.

Note that students enrolled in AP coursework are expected to take the AP exam(s) in May.

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Question May I meet your instructors?

Of course! Visit our faculty biographies to learn more about our teachers, and contact our front desk at 650.941.4350 or info@sileducation.com to arrange a time to meet.

Find contact information for any teacher by visiting our directory.

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May I ask an infrequently asked question?

We’re teachers, we love to answer questions! Call us at 650.941.4350 or email info@sileducation.com. We also invite you to schedule a time to come meet us in person and tour our campus.

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