Location
Grade Levels
- 6-8
- 9-12
Learning Models
- Learner Agency
- Personalized Learning
- Project-Based Learning
- Real World Learning
- Social Emotional Learning
Governance
Grades Served: 7-12
Students Served: 565
About
Founded in 2019 as a part of the Distinctive Schools charter network, and backed by rap artist Common, Art in Motion seeks to empower the creative in each child to “provide the resources and opportunities needed for [their] dreams to take flight. Through real-world projects, self-directed learning and small group instruction, AIM offers pathways at the high school level in music, dance, visual arts, literary arts and digital arts. Each student meets with a mentor weekly.
The Academy for Innovative Minds (AIM), located in Chicago, Illinois, is an independent school offering a personalized, project-based learning experience for students in grades 2 through 8. AIM’s mission is to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning by providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment tailored to each student’s unique needs and interests.
AIM emphasizes hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that integrate academic subjects with real-world applications. The curriculum is designed to engage students in meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences that encourage collaboration and problem-solving. By focusing on student agency and individualized instruction, AIM empowers learners to take ownership of their educational journey.
Key features of AIM include:
- Project-Based Learning: Students explore complex, real-world problems through collaborative, hands-on projects.
- Small Class Sizes: AIM’s intimate learning environment ensures personalized attention and meaningful relationships between students and educators.
- Integrated Curriculum: Academic subjects are taught through interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing connections between fields such as science, art, technology, and humanities.
- Social-Emotional Learning: AIM prioritizes the development of emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy, fostering a strong sense of community and self-awareness.
- Inclusive Environment: The school is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive space where every student feels supported and valued.
AIM prepares students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners, equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed in a rapidly changing world.