The 2020-2021 school year was difficult for all students, but for anyone who learns differently, the challenges were immense. For the students who thrive in hands-on learning environments, who prefer visual models and real-world immersion, for those who shine in social spaces, and the ones that learn by doing, the last year may have been grim, particularly for students who were learning online.

At AIM Academy in Conshohocken, the type of student described above fills their hallways every day. Their 1st-12th grade classes are designed around optimizing the differences, providing as much challenge as possible, while also supporting in laser-focused ways. All AIM Academy students are prepared to head off to college and the only way they are going to prepare their minds and mental habits for the road ahead is by lighting a fire, sparking a passion that will propel them through the difficult moments and maximize success in the easier ones.

Over the past year, AIM worked to provide students with as many in-person learning opportunities as possible, and when remote learning was required or requested provided synchronous classes and ready access to creative course work.

While AIM’s intentional instruction and literacy support, grounded in the science of reading, can be seen throughout all grades, teenagers who struggle with learning in traditional schools often need extra attention to ignite their passion for learning or creating.

In AIM’s Upper School, they do this by individualizing each and every one of their students’ schedules, pushing them to the highest level of challenge they can handle, and supporting them in any areas of struggle that emerge along the way. They remediate and accelerate simultaneously, and they work with a great sense of urgency. That mandate, and the energy that comes with it, did not change over the last year here at AIM.

But as a greater sense of normalcy returns following the pandemic, AIM Academy’s faculty and staff are focusing on coming out of the curve at full speed, continuing to look at programming for the future, even as the appearance of the future changes quickly and drastically before their eyes. They’re continuing their commitment to teaching literacy all day, to focusing on process as much as product, to lowering the barriers without ever lowering the bar, and they’re expanding our program to include new technologies and instruction around future-ready skills.

This fall AIM students will have the opportunity to learn in the newly designed Global I.D.E.A. Hub, where they can focus on innovation, design, equity, and action. This space for their Makerspace, Robotic and Engineering Program, their DEI work, and their Global Scholars will provide all AIM students more opportunities to create and learn. And, on the far end of campus students will be able to learn bike tech skills at Sam’s Place, a newly constructed space honoring the memory of a beloved AIM graduate.

At AIM they say that innovative teaching leads to fearless learning. Consider joining us to learn more about AIM at one of their summer Virtual Information Sessions.

Learn more at: www.aimpa.org/admissions/discoveraim

AIM Academy supports the Main Line Parent Community.