The Career, Technical, Adult & Community Education (CTACE) department provides all students, regardless of socioeconomic standing, race, gender, ethnicity, language, or disability with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners. Career Technical Education (CTE) prepares these learners for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies and making academic content accessible to students by providing it in a hands-on context.  

SECME (Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering) SECME is a teacher-centered, student-focused after-school club dedicated to focusing on STEM initiatives. This club will promote learning and doing science, technology, engineering, and math. Our club members will participate in and complete various innovative STEM projects. Students will then take these projects to SECME competitions where they will compete at the district and national level. These activities will develop creative and critical thinking skills needed in a diverse and globally competitive workforce. SECME club sponsor is Mr. Reece meets on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room 314.

Silver Lakes Middle School drone class teaches students how to operate a drone craft smoothly to best safety practices and official rules and regulations. We cultivate 21st-century learning through our drone piloting classes with the goal of preparing our students for turn-of-the-edge careers. 

Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders (MTL) is a peer-to-peer mentoring and student leadership program that serves students in grades 6^th – 12^th  with an emphasis on high school programming. MTL promotes academic advancement, pupil progression, student engagement, and successful school completion utilizing the MTL Five Pillars.

Mentoring Tomorrow's Leaders is based on the following Five Pillars:

1. Academic Achievement – Improving the lives of students through improved academic performance forms the cornerstone of the MTL Program. Students who are struggling to make academic gains can show marked improvement when provided with the information and support that they need to succeed. Ongoing support includes at least 2 weekly mentor-mentee support hours, under the guidance of a site coordinator, to foster academic progress and strengthen social-emotional learning skills.

 

2. Peer Mentoring –High-achieving upperclassmen with demonstrated leadership skills participate in a two-year mentor relationship with students who are struggling to make academic gains. This is a structured relationship that is facilitated by the MTL site coordinator. In addition, all MTL students are exposed to adult mentors from the community during planned workshops with guest speakers.

 

3. Family Involvement – Student success is driven at least in part by the ability of the family to guide and support the personal and academic aspirations of the youth. MTL provides parents and guardians with parent education workshops, materials, and information on a variety of topics including college readiness, graduation requirements, pupil progression plans, and successfully navigating through the educational systems. Additionally, MTL equips parents with the necessary tools to engage and communicate effectively with their children.

 

4. Community Support – Mentors/Mentees initiate and participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at expanding their knowledge of and participation in community and civic engagement. MTL provides all members with guidance and support to assist them in taking full advantage of networking opportunities with guest speakers, industry professionals, elected officials, business owners, and others. In addition, donors, sponsors, and representatives from colleges and universities engage with MTL students to present pathways for post-secondary education. MTL students are consistently applauded and recognized for their involvement in volunteer activities such as food bank collection and distribution, visits to foster homes and senior facilities, collecting clothes and provisions for disaster relief, reading to pre-K students, and raising money for worthy causes.

 

      5. Student Enrichment and Incentives – Program participants gain access to a variety of rewards and incentives as they work to improve their grades and meet high school graduation requirements. Incentives include access to enrichment activities and field trips, participation in for-credit college experiences, student leadership development programs, scholarship opportunities, college tours, access to professional sports representatives and events, and participation in youth-focused events, forums, and conferences.

The 5000 Role Model of Excellence is a program designed to boost the self-image, social skills, and academic performance of targeted males by motivating them to interact with respected and successful men whose real-life accomplishments can inspire young gentlemen to succeed. Silver Lakes Middle 5000 Role Models are active in the local community. The students learn the true meaning of "service", building community connections, and taking pride in the local community and their accomplishments. 

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King

Peer counseling is an important resource for young people developing into mature, healthy adults. It helps them build self-esteem and confidence and encourages positive behaviors. Through this process, they can gain insight into their lives and learn how to manage their emotions better.

National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, JHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. 

The Silver Lakes Middle School drumline is an essential part of the school's band because it keeps the rest of the band in step during their numerous and sometimes complex formations. The band and its drumline expose students to the importance and the benefit of working together and developing a shared responsibility. 

"With a good drumline, there is no need to call a cadence because the drumline does it for you.

Silver Lakes Middle School utilizes dance to help our students develop skills that are necessary for learning, such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through the creative process, students are encouraged to use their imagination, collaborate with their peers to solve problems, and discover multiple solutions to challenges.

Silver Lakes Middle School cheerleading brings energy and enthusiasm to school events. It's a team sport where dedicated young athletes come together to support their school's sports teams and boost the morale of their fellow students. Cheerleaders learn and perform a combination of cheers and chants that engage and entertain. Cheerleading is a fantastic way for students to build self-confidence and develop lifelong friendships while showcasing Dolphin pride! 

Silver Lakes Middle School step-team focuses on promoting positive self-esteem, academic achievement, unity through teamwork, and community involvement through the art of stepping. Steppers participate in school events as well as local step competitions.