International Law Studies Academy

What is ILSA?

     The International Law Studies Academy (ISLA) at Miami Killian Senior High is a magnet program designed for high performing incoming 9th Grade students, who are interested in careers in law, politics, and/or public service and administration. This innovative magnet program emphasizes academic rigor with courses at the Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment levels, and includes high school electives with special emphasis on International Affairs, Constitutional Law and Court Procedures. The program will serve 21st Century educational demands with an emphasis on state-of-the art technology and research tools in law studies.

Our Mission:

     The International Law Studies Academy (ISLA) at Miami Killian Senior High School seeks to cultivate and enrich young men and women with the essential skills required for collegiate and applied studies in Law. As such, the program strives to provide a platform for learning that will prepare students for the critical thinking and technological demands of today’s careers in the law profession.

Our Partners:

     A partnership with Florida International University (FIU) School of Law ensures that students receive exposure and opportunities for advancement at the college level. Use of the University’s academic resources, including libraries, seminars and workshops, dual enrollment options, and professor visits will enrich student learning well beyond the high school level.

     Additionally, ongoing seminars and visits from active professionals in the law  community; field trips to municipal, state, and Federal courthouses, local embassy offices, and other professional institutions of law; and exposure to real-world experiences in law careers through professional internships in law offices or other arenas where law is practiced will ensure the appropriate interaction between students and the law community.

Program Features:

It is expected that the ILSA program will...

• Provide students the opportunity to become global thinkers through an academic emphasis on international relations, foreign affairs, and public administration

• Create a pathway for students into pre-law collegiate studies

• Offer students a curriculum focused on the interpretation and implementation of the US Constitution, the rights of the individual in relation to federal and state governments, the process of bringing civil and criminal lawsuits in a simulated courtroom setting, and issues involved with the practice of international law through comparative law studies

• Provide students with an understanding the differences among the US Common Law system and international Civil Law systems

• Participate in academic competitions focused on authentic mock trials and/or an in-depth analysis of Constitutional Law

• Capture the essence of a 21st Century law school through the infusion of state-of-the-art technology

• Increase student acceleration in collegiate studies by promoting dual enrollment courses outside of the traditional school day and by increasing course offerings in the field of pre-law during the school day

• Expose students to specific research standards and protocols associated with academic and law libraries, databases, and other electronic research tools

• Introduce students to real-world experiences in law careers through professional internships in law offices or other arenas where law is practiced throughout the community

ILSA Student Curriculum Plan

*A year of PE/Personal Fitness and a year of a Fine Art are required for graduation from high school. Students may opt to complete these required courses through Florida Virtual School (FVS) outside of the school day in order to accommodate additional elective course enrollment.

**ILSA students are required to complete two years of a Foreign Language. Students may opt to complete these required courses through Florida Virtual School (FVS) outside of the school day in order to accommodate additional elective course enrollment.

**Killian Magnet Fair** Wednesday, November 17, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Killian Performing Arts Center (KPAC)

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Magnet applications become available on October 1st of every year for acceptance in the following academic year. All applications are due (postmarked) by January 15th.

Step 1: Check pre-requisites to ensure minimum requirements are met for program eligibility (see Eligibility section for program requirements).

Step 2: Apply online or via mail.  Please note: application period runs from October 1st through January 15th of each year. Students may apply for up to 5 magnet academies each year. The applications are NOT on a first-come-first-serve basis; it is based on a lottery system generated from all ELIGIBLE applicants who apply any time during the application period.  Thus, an application sent in October does not have any greater chance than one sent in on January 15th. As such, please take your time during the months of October through January 15th to obtain more information on your programs of choice.  In addition, a visit to these schools is highly encouraged.  

     Apply Today!

1. Make contact with a pre-approved organization (see listing below) or seek approval from your counselor, if the organization you wish to serve is not on the list.
2. Download and print a Community Service Verification & Reflection Form (see below).
3. Take the verification form with you when you complete your service hours.  
   • NOTE: FOR EACH SUPERVISOR OR MENTOR A STUDENT COMPLETES SERVICE HOURS UNDER, A VERIFICATION FORM IS REQUIRED.  That is, for example, if a student is completing a variety of community service through a club or honor society, the sponsor for that club must verify the student's service hours on the Verification form.  If in addition to the service performed through a club/honor society, the student completes service for another pre-approved organization on his/her own, then another Verification form must be completed by the supervisor  of that service.  Have your supervisor sign and complete the form in it's entirety.
4. Complete the Service Reflection section of your form (yes, a brief reflection must be written each time). 
5. Submit the verification and reflection forms to your counselor
6. Keep a personal log  (see Community Service Log below) to keep track of your hours through your senior year)

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