SHDHS Academic Support Programs

The Academic Achievement through Intervention, Mentoring, and Support (AAIMS) Program of St. Henry District High School serves students that have been identified as having a mild to moderate disability including but not limited to: cognitive, medical, psychological, or physical conditions that may interfere with their academic performance. The learning and/or physical disabilities of these students have been fully documented and evaluated by the appropriate professionals. This documentation will provide the AAIMS Committee with a clear picture of a student’s strengths and weaknesses and will facilitate the development of an appropriate academic support plan. Students taking advantage of these services will be scheduled for a daily class period in the AAIMS classroom and receive 1 credit each year. The emphasis of the AAIMS Program is to support students with special needs during high school in order to prepare them to succeed in their post-secondary transition. The AAIMS team hopes to better enable students to assume responsibility for their own education and promote self-advocacy. Admissions Requirements:

• Completion of Application for Admission, Parent Information Form, Residence and Referral Form, School Information Form, and Student Information Form.
• Student must be evaluated by a psychologist for a discrepancy between aptitude and achievement with a learning disability/medical impairment identified. These evaluations must be completed within the past 3 years (i.e. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and an individually administered measure of achievement in Reading, Math, and Writing (i.e. Woodcock-Johnson or Kaufman Test of Achievement).
• Student should be recommended for admission to the AAIMS program by either his/her previous school or by the psychologist who tested the student.
• Highly suggested that RTI (Response to Intervention) information from previous school be submitted for consideration

The support offered in the AAIMS program includes, but is not limited to:

• Empowering students to be more proactive in their education
• Implementing attitudes for success
• Engaging them in the process of determining their post-secondary transition
• Managing time and organization
• Reviewing core content
• Note-taking strategies
• Critical reading skills
• Researching skills
• Test-taking strategies
• Promoting quality and completion of work
• Administering career surveys/assessments
• Standardized test preparation

The AAIMS teachers will:

• Better enable students to assume responsibility for their own education and promote self-advocacy;
• Provide academic and post-secondary transition advising;
• Monitor and consult with faculty regarding progress or lack thereof on all AAIMS students;
• Provide for the individual learning differences and learning styles for the student by teaching to his/her strengths while working with the student’s challenges; and
• Inform teachers of each student’s academic profile and of classroom accommodations described in his/her ALP.

The Parents’ Role:

• Parents are encouraged to understand that their child’s learning style is unique, and that parental involvement is critical in helping their child cope in the high school setting;
• Frequent communication with intervention specialist and classroom teachers is essential for all AAIMS participants; and
• Participation in conferences requested by the parent and specialist when needed.

AAIMS Program is staffed by two full-time professionals and one part-time professional who work collaboratively to support the AAIMS student’s learning needs, academic programming, college counseling, and any social/emotional needs that may arise while they attend St. Henry District High School. Our team wants each student to have an individualized, positive, and well-rounded experience that will not only prepare them to become great students, but responsible and contributing citizens in our society.