News
![Celebrating our Success - Middle School Wilson Reading]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1645133909/manayunk/gfbjrtq63fh93ygijvwd/CelebratingourSuccess-MiddleSchoolWilsonReading.jpg","width":1920}])
As a WILSON® Accredited Partner, AIM provides daily Wilson Reading instruction to our Lower School students. Last year, one of our Wilson instructors suggested that we honor the students who complete the Wilson Reading System® program by creating what we call "the Wilson Wall of Fame." Recently 11 of our Middle School students were presented with their certificates of completion, bringing the total number of AIM Wilson "graduates" to 130 since 2006. Read some of our graduates reactions to completing the program.
![Interactive Humanities Columns]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1646410826/manayunk/rph0euoj3syioeu1jpkq/Amy_StackhouseIH-5.jpg","width":2200}])
The March 2022 issue of MetroKids magazine features an article written by AIM Interactive Humanities teacher Stacy Stackhouse about how the arts-infused program supports students learning of history, vocabulary and the world. Read more here.
On December 6, 2021, AIM received welcome news that will provide much needed learning and collaborative spaces to support AIM Academy’s 391 students and our teacher training program which provides literacy training to schools and districts throughout Pennsylvania. For the fourth time in the school’s 16-year history, AIM has been awarded a RACP grant by the State of Pennsylvania. This $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant will support a two-story addition to AIM Academy including classroom spaces, offices and collaborations spaces as well as a green courtyard.
![Alan Gedrich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1636129418/manayunk/ioetpf90qfsny3ixrpjq/AlanGedrich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1636129418/manayunk/ioetpf90qfsny3ixrpjq/AlanGedrich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1636129418/manayunk/ioetpf90qfsny3ixrpjq/AlanGedrich.jpg","width":670}])
Longtime AIM board member Alan R. Gedrich, 61, died Saturday, October 30 following a valiant fight against cancer. A long-time Philadelphia lawyer, Alan served on AIM's Board since 2007 and was one of the initial believers in the power of an AIM education.
![Annette Fallon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1634748727/manayunk/mdsqlcfc50eludni0cfl/Headshot_AnnetteFallon.jpg","width":2200}])
Following a comprehensive and extensive search process, AIM co-founders Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair along with Board of Trustees Chair Matthew Naylor and Vice Chair Al Chiaradonna, announced today that the next Head of School of AIM Academy will be Annette Fallon. She will begin her new role at AIM on July 1, 2022.
Congratulations to AIM Academy's first cohort of Global Scholars. Our five scholars are: Roxy B. '19, Isabelle J. '19, Kiley M. '20, Shayna P. '20, Brandon S. '20. Students in this program will earn Global Scholar distinction on their diploma after completing a series of global program expectations.
AIM Academy 5th grade students traveled to Ziegler Elementary School in northeast Philadelphia on January 12th to read books to students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade and deliver "at home book packages" featuring favorite titles donated by AIM's 1st – 5th grade Lower School students. The book delivery and school visit were the culmination of the students' service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
AIM Middle and Upper Schoolers experienced first-hand how they can be involved in a grass roots movement and bring light to the world today while building solar-powered lanterns with Liter of Light founder Illac Diaz. AIM is the only Philadelphia area stop on the non-profit's Journey of Light road trip across the United States seeking to show youth how they can contribute to sustainable enterprises and to promote UNESCO's upcoming International Day of Light on May 16, 2018.
On Friday, December 1, AIM Academy Upper School students will learn about sustainable development and the simple ways they can provide marginalized communities worldwide with a brighter future as they build solar lights with the founder of the international non-profit organization Liter of Light. The visit to AIM is the only Philadelphia-area stop for Liter of Light members who are on a month-long road trip across the United States.
Congratulations to our FTC Middle School Robotics team on their 4th place overall finish in the Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifying Event at Wissahickon Middle School on Saturday, November 18.
Visitors to Chestnut Hill's popular Harry Potter Festival on October 21st enjoyed a day of all things wizardry and magic including a magnificent performance by AIM 8th grade magician, The Amazing Jackson.
AIM's Mountain Bike Team has started its inaugural season off with a packed schedule of practices and meets as part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic High School League bike racing season. At the season opener in Elkton, Maryland on September 10th, 10 of the nearly 400 student-athlete riders lining up at the start were Upper Schoolers.
Two AIM alumni have already inspired AIM 4th graders to make their learning difference a competitive advantage. When the 4th graders watched short TEDx talks featuring students of different ages whose ideas had made the world, or their community a better place. they were amazed to see AIM classrooms in the final video. The TEDx Solebury School video, Difficulty to Success, features Sophia Gross '16 and Andrew Rosenstein '17 sharing the story of their business Opportunity Rise which raises money and awareness for children with learning differences and their experience in Start-Up Corps, AIM's entrepreneurship class.
This week, in preparation for the first novel study of the school year, AIM seventh graders developed background knowledge related to Fever 1793 by Lisa Halse Anderson. Students worked together to construct mosquito traps that they placed on window sills and near plants outside on the AIM patio. In the days leading up to the "reveal", students have made predictions about the contents of their traps and plausibility of methods such as these for preventing exposure to yellow fever (the epidemic featured in this book based in Philadelphia in 1793). The traps project is one of the many alternative questioning method Language Arts teachers are using to guide students toward answering questions related to the novel such as: "Was the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 avoidable?" and "What methods of prevention were available to the citizens of 1793 Philadelphia?"
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our beloved board member, Brian Zwaan, passed away suddenly on July 31. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loving family. Brian loved his family deeply including his wife, Diane, his children and his many siblings. Family was everything to Brian and we know that they will seek comfort from each other during this very difficult time.