October 2009

AIM~Academy In Manayunk students thrive in AIM's "Live It. Learn It" philosophy. At the middle and upper elementary level, students participate in collaborative, experiential and highly interactive lessons in English, math, science, and social studies. This grant for our Rector Street facility for grades 6 through 12 will help us build an optimal environment in which students who learn differently can succeed-complete labs for biology and chemistry and interactive science modules for grades 6-12; PC, Apple, and SmartBoard technology to support all lessons, as well as computer graphics, animation, and video studios; and support of our immensely successful arts education in the form of fine arts, sculpture, pottery, woodworking, culinary arts, and drama studios.

Introducing these science, arts, and technology disciplines in the middle grades will help our students identify their interests earlier and give them a jump on career planning. Access to these facilities will also enable our lower elementary faculty to plan special learning opportunities for our younger students.

Also assisted by this funding is progress in the creation of a College and Career Counseling Center for students with Learning Disabilities. In accordance with AIM's PA Department of Education license as an Educational Testing and Remediation Center, AIM can be an SAT and ACT preparation and test center with accommodations for both enrolled and community students with LD. In conjunction with the AIM Career Academy established last year, AIM will offer internships, interest inventories, and job shadowing to provide our students with hands-on experiences to put the information taught in class into a real world context.