Philosophy

Our mission and philosophy is based on the belief that students enrolled at AIM Academy have the capacity to achieve academic success and to realize individual learning potential. Our experienced and committed educators are responsible for seeking out the routes by which each child learns, discovering strengths and interests, and exploring research-based techniques until the student achieves academic progress. In this way, each child is taught through his or her unique style of learning. The current research and practice in learning disabilities provides the promise that children can maximize their learning potential through mastery of reading and mathematics skills.

AIM is committed to developing a sense of inquiry and love of learning in each student. We focus on remediating the areas of reading, oral and written language, math and motor skills. Social studies and humanities are taught through a unique program incorporating art, music, drama and hands-on learning experiences. Our young people must also learn to function effectively in society using tailored social pragmatics and an understanding of how they best learn. Knowing the appropriate behavior in a given situation, how to approach the unknown and how to interact with other people constitute skills critical for success. The focus of the high school is to prepare students for higher education and to assist them in acquiring the necessary 21st century workforce skills of problem solving, inquiry, and collaboration.

The quality of the staff that puts our philosophy into practice has to be extraordinarily high. AIM prides itself on its top quality staff and unusually talented teachers who respect and deeply care for their students. All teachers are certified in their unique areas of expertise. There is an ongoing commitment to teacher training and advanced professional development in research-based curricula and programs. Related services staff members (occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, and psychologists) are an integral part of the academic team.

Beliefs

"The field of learning disabilities, like other areas of education, is in the process of transforming from a discipline based largely on clinical intuition and craft to a profession that relies on scientific research. Although intuition and experience influence teaching practices, especially with individual students, instruction needs to be informed by research on effectiveness and the mechanisms that underlie efficacy."
                          - Learning Disabilities, Fletcher and Lyon et al. 2007


We believe that:

  • Children with learning disabilities/differences can learn when taught with research-based curricula
  • Schools must engender respect for the individual and value diversity
  • It is our responsibility to celebrate their unique gifts and explore their individual strengths and talents
  • Schools must adopt a responsible research to practice commitment in order to bring proven intervention and remediation strategies to the classroom
  • An enthusiastic, compassionate, and creative staff committed to ongoing professional development is essential to the success of AIM and every student that walks through our halls
  • Students with learning disabilities/differences often have exactly those skills and talents so essential for our 21st century workforce including creativity and resourcefulness
  • Schools must foster positive self-esteem and sound social pragmatics as key components of future success
  • All students should be able to articulate their strengths, areas of need and learning styles that will lead to self-advocacy