Filling a Need with a Unique Approach
The Need: Keep Students on Track
Students
in middle school are most vulnerable to influences of others and
especially to drugs, alcohol and gang activities. The Carnegie Council
on Adolescent Development States, "Adolescence is the last phase of the
life span in which constructive influence for improving adolescents'
life chances is great. Early adolescence -- the phase during which
young people are just beginning to engage in risky behaviors, but
before damaging patterns have become firmly established -- offers an
excellent opportunity for intervention to prevent later casualties and
promote successful adult lives." The conclusions and recommendations of
the 10-year study recently completed by the Council underscore the need
for programs like Aim High.
Aim High's Unique Approach
What
sets Aim High apart? The program has a unique approach, unlike any
other programs of its kind. Some of Aim High's most important, unique
qualities include:
» Continuity -- Students
who enroll in Aim High when they're fifth-graders continue with the
program through 8th-grade. We believe that such continuity works better
than one- or two-year programs that touch students briefly but don't
follow-up. Aim High sticks with its students through their formative
years.
» Unrivaled Curriculum -- Aim High offers the most comprehensive range of subjects, including a wide-range of electives.
» Targeting Kids with Potential -- Aim
High is unique in selecting students who have shown some academic
promise, but who are not the academic "superstars" in their schools. We
ask teachers to pick kids who are "in the middle," those who have shown
the ability and desire to succeed but who also could slip in the wrong
direction without a program like ours.
» Our Partnership with Participating Schools -- Teachers
and principals from the participating schools select the students who
will participate in Aim High. A significant number of Aim High's
faculty come from participating schools. The Aim High Board of
Directors includes administrators from participating school districts.
And Aim High administrators work closely with participating schools to
shape the curriculum and insure the program serves students' needs.
» Outstanding Faculty and Staff -- Aim
High works hard to recruit teachers who are dedicated, well-trained and
familiar with the unique challenges that face our students.
