AIM Academy Innovative Teaching, Fearless Learning

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About Us
Grounded in the science and research of language-based learning differences, AIM Academy’s commitment to academic excellence and the belief that each student’s strengths should be encouraged to flourish has made it a leader in the field for students who learn differently.
Admissions
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Academics
The academic programs at AIM Academy are individualized, evidence-based, and innovative and are designed to spark student curiosity and enthusiasm.
Student Life
AIM Academy promotes an atmosphere of social and community engagement through a diverse array of extracurricular activities, travel opportunities, community events and service learning projects.
Integrated Services
AIM Academy’s Integrated Services team includes in-house School Psychologists at every division, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists and a facility dog to support students, teachers and families.
AIM Institute
AIM Institute for Learning & Research: Bringing Research into the Classroom
Support AIM
We are grateful for your continued commitment to AIM. This spirit of generosity has a profound impact on each and every AIM student. Our students, alumni, parents and faculty thank you for your support!

The Academy In Manayunk (DBA as AIM Academy) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Federal Tax ID# is 01-0849648. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Electives

Students in Upper School choose from a wide variety of electives that speak to their interests, passions and talents.

Create

Art and Design	Focused on individual and group interests and talents within the area of fine arts, applied arts and design. Students will build basic and advanced skills while also learning creative problem solving, design thinking methodology, and getting exposure to a variety of artists and designers in the field.
Photography	Students edit and compose a variety of photos in nature, portraits, landscapes, abstract, candids, and more as you find your own personal style. We will learn to develop our photos and print them using alternative processes such as cyanotypes where we simulate a darkroom experience, Gelli plate photo transfers, and more.
Ceramics and Sculpture	Explores a variety of mediums that may include plaster, wax, bamboo, wood and fibers. We will learn basic mold making and casting skills, and employ the use of hand tools or basic sewing to create a variety of sculptures suitable for indoor or outdoor placement.
Filmmaking	The sky's the limi as this course embraces individuality while making students' visions realities through Adobe Creative Cloud and Final Cut Pro. Students explore Adobe apps to craft polished videos using Premiere Prom exploring the use of cinematic visual effects, and motion graphic with After Effects, and bringing cartoons to life using Animate. Green screen effects will also be explore using Final Cut Pro.

Perform

Music Vocal Instrumental Technology	Heavily focused on individual student's interests and talents. In this class there is a mix of assigned projects, and student selected projects. There are many options for areas of focus including: vocal, instrumental, music technology, and songwriting.
Imagineering & Theatre Design	The Blackbox theatre is students' canvas as they collaborate with peers to create a world that only they can imagine. In this project based, hands on class, students work together to create, design, produce and run an interactive space for students to explore and experience.
Audio & Visual	Students explore the audio world through soundscaping, sound foley, audio engineering and audio board. Visually, students will explore how to use a lightboard, the various types of lights used for the stage, and will ultimately learn how to light a scene/performance.

Innovate

Robotics & Engineering	Focused on making, creating, designing, hacking, and inventing. While there are some assigned projects, the focus is mostly on student choice. Students in the class will learn how to use 3D design software and how to make their designs a reality by using either the laser cutter, 3D printers or CNC equipment. This along with an assortment of hand tools will help the students prototype, test and build their projects. Students will also be introduced to basic programming of microcontrollers and often use them in the design of their personal projects.
Design Thinking	Students create and collaborate to build whatever large-scale, meaningful projects they can dream up. Focused around the philosophies behind human-centered design, students will engage in iterative empathizing, ideating, prototyping, and executing their designs complete with access to state-of-the-art equipment and machinery.
Entrepreneurship	Learn all about what it takes to own and operate a successful business venture. The curriculum focuses on the steps necessary to create, maintain, modify, and market the new business from an entrepreneurial perspective. Students will develop a business idea, research their market, create promotional materials, project their finances, evaluate startup funding options, and pitch their product or company.

Move

Adrenaline Zen	This course promotes cycling as an outlet for students to improve their cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional well-being. Students engage in a variety of activities all with the goal of connecting physical movement as a means to achieve improved mood and cognitive ability. Walks, rides, yoga, mindfulness and journaling are just a few of the activities that will help build resilience and an awareness of the positive results of exercise.
Project Bike Tech	Project Bike Tech works to enhance lives, create opportunities and build sustainable communities through bicycle education. Bike Tech in School teaches students the necessary skills to work as a professional bicycle mechanic and provides a stepping stone to many cycling industry careers including engineering, fabrication, marketing, filmmaking, graphic art, sales and writing for publications.
Fitness	Students will engage in fitness, sports, and physical wellness activities.