Aim High Institute

Euphonics

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About Us

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The founders of AHI envision an educational institution where an international standard for math, science and technology education can be combined with bilingualism (Mandarin, English); where excellence in education is the norm and character education is integrated into the school culture.

The founders of AHI believe in innovation in education, and in searching for the best methods and curricula, wherever in the world these might be found. We also believe that current research into brain physiology should be used as a foundation in helping us develop more efficient learning strategies and techniques.

Aim High Institute is a K-12 charter school that offers excellence in academics —particularly in math, science and technology-- and character education; promotes bilingualism and cultural diversity, and offers a comprehensive and balanced program to enhance the learners’ potentials and skills to raise upright, tolerant and law-abiding lifelong learners to be leaders of the future.

STEMG stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Globalism

Science: In the elementary grades, the Singapore Science curriculum is used because of its deeper and more precise content as well as its greater emphasis on the training of scientific thought and skills. Hands-on exploration and laboratory activities are an important part of the curriculum.

Technology: Computer classes will be offered from grade K and up. Emphasis will be on mastery of keyboarding, all Microsoft office applications (Word, Power Point, Excel, and Access), culminating in the MS certification tests in high school. High school students will be offered the choice to continue developing into programming. A computer lab will enable each student to work on an individual computer. Integration of this curriculum with other subjects will enable the students to use newly acquired skills for homework, presentations, projects and reports.

Engineering: Students will be exposed to and encouraged in the engineering fields through various activities, competitions and events such as the Future City competition. Math will be taught using our unique combination of mental abacus skills and Singapore Math curriculum. This method has been tried and implemented in Arizona Cultural Academy (2006-2008) and IQ Abacus (2004-present). Results were extremely encouraging. Most students perform at least 1grade, and some as much as 5 grades above grade level.

Globalism: In these times of globalization, it is crucial to expose our children early on to internationalism. This is achieved not only through a challenging curriculum in Social Studies, but also through our bilingual program (see below) and various activities and events.

AHI defines Quality Education as not only the best curricula but also the best methodologies available. AHI heeds the call for “international benchmarking” by continuously keeping up to date with the latest international educational achievements. We study and select tested and proven curricula or methodologies and integrate these into our program. Parents are invited to attend our Open House to learn more about these.

Already, in our globalized world, a monolingual graduate has to compete with bilingual or trilingual other graduates. It is part of our goals to provide every student with an edge in the future job market by training them to become fully bilingual. A “critical” foreign language (Chinese-Mandarin or Arabic) will be taught at all grade levels five periods a week. The course covers all four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The curriculum is aligned with the National Standards for Foreign Language Education for Arabic and Chinese, and therefore include the 5 C’s (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparison and Communities). The teacher will use the foreign language most of the time for instruction, with occasional use of English especially at the beginning of the year. Most of the staff at AHI speaks fluently either Chinese or Arabic, or both, and therefore will use these languages to provide a semi-immersion environment outside the classroom, during activities or lunch hour. Students at high school level will eventually be expected to take either the SAT Chinese test or the AP Chinese test or both. One of the founders, Ms. Rueyin Chiou, is an approved AP Chinese Reader.

Character education will be inculcated in a two-pronged approach: a) formal instruction through PAYD (Pro-active Youth Development) classes; and b) through practical implementation throughout the school day and year.

PAYD is a course offered in all grade levels. It covers a range of topics evolving from simple manners, self-respect and dignity, to interpersonal relationships including filial piety, friendship, resistance to peer pressure; to self-identity (in middle school), and eventually marriage preparation, parenting, and work ethics in high school.

Practical implementation is both pro-active and preventive. Students are encouraged to participate in service learning activities, through a CAS (Community, Action, Service) program. The discipline system is also modeled on a reward/punishment philosophy but with the added ability of redeeming demerits with merit points. Other character building traits are built into the school day, such as greeting the teacher at the start of class and thanking the teacher at the end of class, and so on.

Copyright © Aim High Institute 2009