Aim High

In 2001, St. Paul’s School became the first East Bay site of Aim High, a learning and social development program for primarily public middle school students. This program reaches out to an often-overlooked portion of the student population - low income public sixth through ninth grade students who are doing satisfactorily in school but want to do better. Each year, 50 to 60 students participate in an all-day program for five weeks each summer. The summer program features academic work in science, mathematics, humanities, computers, and Issues and Choices. Every Friday is Cultural Day in which students celebrate their own heritage through art, music, movement, food, clothing, and artifacts.

Aim High was founded in 1986 on the campus of Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco with 50 students and 12 teachers. Over the past twenty-one years, Aim High has expanded significantly, responding to the increased need for academic enrichment for at-risk middle school students. Currently, Aim High serves 650 students on six different campuses in San Francisco and Oakland. Aim High is also a six-week professional development program for teachers. All classes are team-taught by master teachers, assistant teachers, and interns. Over 100 experienced and intern teachers work in the program.

In the 2003-2004 school year, in conjunction with the San Francisco United School District, Aim High opened the Aim High Academy, a small school, with 90 students.