Signature Programs

We have found that in order to be best prepared for college, students should actually experience a college class. In addition to their class work at AIM, all AIM seniors are dually enrolled in college courses at one of our partnership schools. The majority of our students attend classes at Cabrini University while students committed to the arts and entrepreneurship may be selected to register for classes at University of the Arts or Drexel University's Close School of Entrepreneurship. AIM faculty attend college classes with students. They support the student work as a way to introduce them to the demands of college and the advocacy skills required to succeed. Students take a course in the fall and spring semesters and each course comes with transferrable credit. Subjects have included:

• US History
• Composition
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Career Academy is a four-year program designed to help guide Upper School students in their college and career selection process. Students are provided with exciting opportunities designed to help them discover their own strengths and affinities, and experience careers in their areas of interest. These opportunities include:

College Fair: (9th-12th grades) – Area colleges and universities are invited to AIM to present their programs to interested students. Information about college admissions, areas of study and campus life is provided to both students and parents.

Career Fair: (9th-12th grades) – Professionals from the community describe their occupations to small groups of students. Students select sessions based on their own preferences and learn about careers that interest them.

Career Express: (9th-12th grades) – Students participate in a series of workshops on career-related skill, including resume writing, interviewing and job-seeking skills.

Shadowing: (11th grade) – Students have the opportunity to “shadow” an area professional to learn more about a specific occupation. At least one shadowing activity is scheduled during the months of April and May and students are required to complete a final project on their experience.

Internships: (12th grade) – Students complete a week-long internship in an occupation of their choice. Internships are scheduled when the Cabrini semester ends. Requirements include maintaining a daily log, completing a final reaction paper, and presenting their experience to faculty, parents and administration.

Blended learning occurs when courses are ½ online and ½ face-to-face. In order to be prepared for college, students must be able to interact in blended learning courses. AIM’s blended program offers a number of impressive courses. All Upper School students take a minimum of two blended courses in order to graduate. Courses include:

• American Literature (carries Honors credit)
• Art History
• British Literature (carries Honors credit)
• Contemporary Non-fiction
• Geography
• Government
• Minority Studies
• The 4 Threads to the Future: Introduction to Career and College (link to the PDF)
• World Religions

Travel plays an important role in making rich connections to the curriculum and contributing to a wealth of background knowledge. Various interdisciplinary trips and optional travel opportunities have included:

• Boston - Integrated science and history study of the city
• Chicago - Exploration of the arts and literature
• Costa Rica - Exploration of the ecological systems of Central America
• Dominican Republic - Service learning opportunity working with children
• Ireland - History and culture of the country
• Italy - History and culture of the Renaissance period
• New Orleans - History of the Mississippi River and Gulf
• New York City - Exploration of the arts and history
• Orlando - All freshman head to Disney for a week of career exploration through the Disney Youth Education Series
• Panama - Service learning opportunity working with children and schools
• Scotland and England – Multidisciplinary field study including literature, theater, history and science
• Spain - Exploration of history, culture, resource management and environment