Sponsor Spotlight: Aim High School

Aim High School, serving grades 6-12, offers an educational alternative for students with diverse social and learning abilities. The institution is committed to creating a safe environment where students can focus on academics, wellness, communication, and life skills. Unlike large schools, which can be overwhelming due to their size, noise, and social expectations, Aim High is small and provides a structured and supportive setting. As a general education solution, the school adheres to the Michigan Merit Curriculum, ensuring that students graduate with a Michigan state diploma. With small class sizes, faculty members can develop close relationships with students and their families, fulfilling the school’s mission of preparing students for successful, independent futures.

Aim High School was established by parents, teachers, and community members who shared a vision of providing a safe, appropriate educational environment for teens with Asperger’s syndrome and similar special needs. Their collaborative efforts led to the school’s founding in September 2011 in a rented building in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. The inaugural year had just eight students, four teachers, and an office manager, all dedicated to creating a small-school general education solution for special needs students in grades 9-12.

Recognizing the need for early intervention and support for students with learning and social differences beyond Asperger’s (including ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, dyslexia, and dysgraphia), Aim High expanded in 2014 to include a middle school program for grades 6-8. This program was designed to foster literacy, exploration, communication, organization, and wellness skills. In 2015, with the generous support of friends and donors, the school moved to its permanent location in Farmington Hills. Since its inception, the student body has grown to over 100 students spanning grades 6-12, supported by a dedicated team of 27 faculty members, teaching assistants, support staff, and administrators.

What sets Aim High apart is its unwavering focus on providing excellent academics through individualized instruction and personalized curriculum. The small-school environment allows for hands-on learning experiences that integrate classroom concepts with real-world applications. Instead of emphasizing disabilities, the school builds upon students’ strengths, meeting them where they are and guiding them to the next level in accordance with their learning styles. The dedicated faculty members, experts in their respective content areas, combine traditional teaching methods with hands-on experiences to ensure that students are well-equipped for their academic journey. With class sizes capped at eight students, teachers can offer personalized attention, gaining a deep understanding of each student’s learning and communication style.

Many students at Aim High have previously struggled with negative experiences in traditional school settings, often facing bullying and an overwhelming social environment. Aim High prioritizes building students’ self-esteem and confidence, both in the classroom and in social interactions. Through its wholestudent approach, the school collaborates with parents, therapists, and support teams to foster emotional growth and positive relationships. Teachers act as mentors, providing trust, consistency, and guidance to help students navigate social and emotional challenges.

By maintaining long-term teacherstudent relationships throughout a student’s school experience, Aim High offers a stabilizing force that is crucial for emotional development. Teachers also serve as advisors, offering a liaison between students, parents, and the school to ensure that students receive the necessary academic and emotional support.

Aim High employs an evidencebased educational model. A University of Michigan School of Education research group conducted pre- and post-testing on students during the school’s early years, which showed significant annual gains in social and language skills. While this study is no longer active, the findings led to the incorporation of a Communications and Life Skills class into the curriculum, which has been instrumental in helping students improve executive function, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, the school incorporates mindfulness practices, physical activity, and meditation into daily routines to help students develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and emotions.

Effective communication with parents is a cornerstone of Aim High’s approach. The school maintains an open-door policy between parents and teachers, providing weekly progress reports, detailed report cards, and frequent meetings. Many students’ therapists, psychologists, and other care providers are also involved to ensure comprehensive support.

The school’s life skills program equips students with real-world problemsolving abilities through activities such as negotiating purchases, changing car oil, addressing plumbing issues, and preparing for job interviews. The cooking program teaches budgeting, menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. Additionally, the Hawks Nest school store provides hands-on experience in inventory management, merchandising, customer service, and financial transactions.

To support students with executive functioning challenges and learning disabilities such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia, Aim High integrates assistive technologies. Programs like MathType, OneNote, Google Read&Write, Join.Me, and Dropbox enable students to focus on academics rather than their physical limitations. These tools ensure clarity, organization, and immediate feedback, fostering confidence and independence.

Preparing students for life after high school is a priority at Aim High. The school’s transition program helps students navigate new social situations, responsibilities, and expectations. This initiative includes student advisor programs, career exploration opportunities, dual enrollment options, transition binders, senior seminars, and a fifth year/transition year option. The program provides students with the skills and resources necessary to pursue postsecondary education, vocational training, or direct entry into the workforce.

Beyond the academic year, Aim High offers four-week summer camps for both new and returning students. Camps include academics, activity camp, band camp, and tech camp and are a great way for students to keep mentally and socially active during the summer. From ACT prep and team-building to band and technology options, students learn, socialize, and get inspired. Half-day and full-day options are available. Each summer plan is customized based on students’ individual goals and interests.

Each year, Aim High proudly graduates students who might not have achieved a high school diploma in a traditional setting. Many students go on to college, while others pursue vocational training or careers. Regardless of the path they choose, Aim High’s ultimate goal is to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary to become independent, productive, and positive members of their communities.

Aim High actively engages with the community, creating opportunities for students to showcase their talents and develop meaningful connections. A local coffee house partners with the school to host create/community events, where students share their artistic and musical talents through performances, drama skits, monologues, art displays, and literary readings. The alumni band performs throughout Metro Detroit, and the school’s rock bands have played at major community events, including the Autism Alliance of Michigan’s Michigan Shines for Autism Gala.

The school also participates in and sponsors various community events and organizations, including OUCARES Fun Days, the Jewish Community Center, Kadima Mental Health, and Michael Gold’s Memorial ADHD Conference. Additionally, Aim High is an active presence at numerous autism and special education resource fairs, conferences, and fundraisers, such as the Friends of Different Learners Resource Fair & Expo, Living with Autism Conferences, Michigan Autism Conferences, Autism Society Oakland County Walk 4 Autism, and the Big House Big Heart Run & Expo. Through these initiatives, Aim High continues to uphold its mission of providing a supportive environment where students with learning and social differences can discover their true potential and thrive.

To learn more about Aim High School, visit www.aimhighschool.com or call (248) 702-6922. Follow us on social media to stay updated on school events and achievements.