Provide extraordinary educational opportunities to children with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, utilizing research-based intervention strategies and an arts-based learning environment that is college preparatory in scope and sequence.
Develop a center for educational excellence and professional development to disseminate best practices to educators by providing access to the latest research-based curriculum, technology, and training.
Core Purpose and Core Values
AIM transforms and empowers lives through literacy.
Our Core Values:
• Research to Practice
• Fearless Innovation
• Partner for Impact
• Transform the Future of Education
AIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2023–2024
Matthew S. Naylor
Chair, Crumdale Partners
Brian Lobley
Vice-Chair, Healthcare Professional
Elliot Holtz
Treasurer, Noro Properties, LLC
Patricia M. Roberts
Co-Founder
Nancy G. Blair Co-Founder
Al Chiaradonna
CEO
Arthur Berkowitz
J.E. Berkowitz LP
George W. Connell
The Haverford Trust Company
Jennifer Crawford
Blackney Hayes Architects
Donna De Carolis, Ph.D.
Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, Drexel University
Darryl J. Ford, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Carney, Sandoe and Associates
John W. Glomb, Jr.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Liz Greco-Rocks
Advocate for Education and Mental Health
Patrick J. Hoyer
The Haverford Trust Company
Vince Lowry
Global Beta Advisors
John New WorkMerk LLC
Stan Silverman
Vice Chairman, Drexel University
Michael Stern
Tower Health
Hans Zandhuis
Chatham Capital, LLC
LETTER FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS
For 17 years, we have strived to transform and empower lives through literacy. Through partnerships with researchers, families, educators, and generous donors, we are optimistic and committed to meeting our goal of impacting 100 million lives over the next ten years.
Since our founding, we have achieved so much. AIM has grown from a small private school with just 24 students, established with the mission of providing quality education to students with learning disabilities, into a thriving community and institute recognized worldwide. Today, we are proud to be leaders in pioneering and implementing literacy research, impacting teacher learning, and joining with esteemed researchers to further evidence-based instructional practices.
We wouldn’t be able to do this work without the unwavering support of our partners, who recognize the impact quality literacy instruction makes in educators and children’s lives. We’ve expanded our research partnerships and have received support from foundations to support our work with districts and state departments of education. We’re continuing our second year of research with the Stanford University Reading and Dyslexia Research Program on ROAR, an online platform and research study for assessing reading skills, and adding research work with members of our Research Advisory Board. In June we participated in The Dyslexia Foundation’s international Extraordinary Brain Symposium in Malta. During this event we had the privilege to share AIM's Integrated Literacy Model and discuss research to practice
partnerships with teachers, administrators and parents from schools in Malta.
Last fall, we were excited to welcome Al Chiaradonna to our AIM team as Chief Executive Officer our non-profit organization. Al is a dedicated AIM parent and longtime board member who watched his twin daughters (members of the Class of 2022) learn and thrive at AIM. Al is an accomplished business executive with decades of experience. And, he is no stranger to education, having been an adjunct professor at Villanova University for over 20 years. We are excited to be working so closely with someone who is not only familiar with AIM’s mission, but has lived it.
Last September we broke ground on our 17,000-square-foot Global Innovation Hub, an exciting addition to AIM Academy’s campus made possible by our generous AIM Higher Campaign supporters and partners. This new space, which will open in November, for learning will give students the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals and gain real-world knowledge through mentorship and experiential education. Students will have access to state-ofthe-art science labs and technology equipment, as well as a variety of academic offerings to help them pursue the subjects they are passionate about.
Beyond AIM Academy, we have been busy developing and implementing literacy professional learning at AIM Institute. We have trained over 40,000 educators and educational leaders in 39 states, and have collaborated on teacher training initiatives with Departments
of Education around the nation, including the Maine State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Education.
We are also delighted to welcome former Mississippi State Literacy Director (K–12) Kristen Wynn as the Head of the AIM Institute for Learning & Research. Kristen is a longtime partner of AIM, and we are so pleased to have her expertise as we work towards the goal of impacting 100 million lives through literacy.
As we look ahead to our 20th year, this year's theme, "Partner for Impact," resonates deeply with our mission achievements, and our experience founding and growing AIM. The collective efforts of our dedicated partners have been instrumental in driving our progress and
WELCOMING CEO AL CHIARADONNA
This year, we were happy to welcome Al Chiaradonna, proud AIM alumni parent, longtime board member, and experienced educator, as AIM Academy’s CEO. Al has been an adjunct educator at Villanova University for 20 years. He received his Accounting degree from Temple University and his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and has decades of experience in business management.
expanding our reach. Together, we will embrace new opportunities, push the boundaries of innovation, and work tirelessly to transform lives through the power of partnership and literacy.
Sincerely,
Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair AIM Co-Founders
“It is clear to me that the impact of AIM—what works in our classrooms and our commitment to evidence-based instruction—is already spreading across the country and improving education for all students.” AL CHIARADONNA
READING UNIVERSE VIDEO FILMED AT AIM
Online literacy website Reading Universe, visited AIM to film students and faculty for their educational resource website, which offers ready-to-use teaching materials and tips to educators at no charge. The video, "When Students Need More Phonics Practice: What a Review Day Looks Like," was recently added to the site and features former AIM Academy teacher and AIM Institute’s Head of Research and Product Nicole Ormandy, demonstrating an approach to dividing multisyllabic words.
2024 LOVE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Philadelphia Family magazine awarded AIM Academy with their 2024 LOVE Award Winner for Excellence in Education for Students with Learning Differences. The LOVE Awards, based on nominations from parents, recognize exceptional individuals and organizations in the Philadelphia area.
THE DYSLEXIA FOUNDATION EXTRAORDINARY BRAIN
In June, AIM Co-Founders Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair traveled to Malta for The Dyslexia Foundation’s biennial Extraordinary Brain Symposium, an international gathering of literacy researchers and leaders of LD schools. During the event they shared details of AIM’s research-to-practice partnerships as well as highlights of AIM’s integrated literacy model and innovative curriculum.
RALLY READER
As we continually work to infuse technology and literacy into the classroom, AIM piloted the iOS app Rally Reader during the 2023-2024 school year. Rally Reader hosts a variety of books which have been scanned using Optical Character Recognition (OCR), meaning the app "knows" each word present in the text and highlights them individually as students read. To fit each individual student’s needs, users can filter by content area, grade level, and by Lexile score. Students can read aloud into the app, which tracks their pronunciation and accuracy, and aids them in pronunciation. Educators use this app to track student performance and gain rich insights into student growth.
AIM’S COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM NAMED VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY SITE OF EXCELLENCE
Villanova University's Graduate Counseling Program selected AIM as its 2024 Site of Excellence. This recognition is given each year to a program that provides Villanova counseling practicum students and interns with high-quality supervision, go above and beyond expectations to support students, and are excellent counselors and mentors who model best practices in the profession. This is high praise for our college counseling team, Amanda Tingle-Oline and Katherine Precourt, who mentor AIM students from 9th grade until they cross the stage to receive their diploma at graduation.
39 STATES
40,000+ EDUCATORS TRAINED
6 COMPREHENSIVE COURSES
2.625 MILLION STUDENTS IMPACTED SINCE 2021
10 STEPS TO LITERACY MODULES AND BUNDLES with Schools, Districts or Department of Education Committed to Pathways Training Z Z Z Z
SUPPORTING TEACHER TRAINING WITH THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AIM Pathways training, including Pathways to Literacy Leadership and Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary, is at the forefront of a $6.85 million philanthropic partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Ibis Group. This four-year partnership will support professional development for Maryland’s teachers and leaders, reaching up to 6,000 school administrators, district literacy supervisors, and secondary educators.
IMPROVING READING OUTCOMES AT LINGELBACH ELEMENTARY
Thanks to AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading training and the school's commitment to structured literacy instruction, Philadelphia Lingelbach Elementary School in the School District of Philadelphia saw a remarkable improvement in student reading. The percentage of third graders passing state English exams soared by 173%, jumping from 26% to 71%. This progress was highlighted in January 2024 in a profile article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UTILIZES STEPS TO LITERACY
The Maine Department of Education contracted with AIM Institute to offer free access to AIM Steps to Literacy Modules at no cost to K-5 educators. These asynchronous, evidence-based learning modules allowed 1,000 educators to complete more than 22,000 hours of professional learning in just a few months.
INSTITUTE AND PARTNERS FEATURED IN NATIONAL PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Throughout the year, partners and members of the AIM Institute team and its partners were featured in multiple online panel discussions hosted by The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. In February, Dr. Cindy Hadicke joined partners from Mississippi and the Florida-based The Learning Alliance, to discuss professional development in a session titled ‘Not Without Teachers—Intentional Teacher Development for Improved Student Outcomes.’ In March, Nicole Ormandy explored reading development in a session led by Michelle Knapik of The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, titled ‘Identifying and Supporting Children with Diverse Learning Needs.’
PATHWAYS MAP
updated as of October 2024
Blue = States where AIM Pathways is state approved for professional development or has school partnerships.
WELCOMING KRISTEN WYNN AS HEAD OF AIM INSTITUTE
We are proud to announce the appointment of Kristen Wynn, former State Literacy Director (K-12) for the Mississippi Department of Education, as the new Head of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research. This pivotal addition marks a significant milestone in AIM’s commitment to enhancing literacy education across the nation, and we are so excited to see the growth her appointment brings to the Institute’s endeavors.
PARTNER
This spring, AIM welcomed back Dr. Tim Odegard, to AIM’s Research Advisory Board. Dr. Odegard is an esteemed professor of psychology at Middle Tennessee State University, as well as Editorin-Chief of the Annals of Dyslexia, consulting editor for the Journal of Learning Disabilities, and leader of the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. We welcome his expertise as we continue our mission as a research-driven organization anchored in the partnerships with the Research Advisory Board, and were honored to present him with our Sally L. Smith Founders Award at our AIM for the Stars Gala in April. The board is integral in supporting the development of AIM Academy as an exemplar school in the field of learning differences and the AIM Institute as a leader in professional literacy learning and research.
RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD
DANIEL BERCH, PH.D.
MICHELLE DUDA, PH.D.
TIM ODEGARD, PH.D
JULIE WASHINGTON, PH.D.
BARBARA WILSON, M.ED.
KATE CAIN BSC.D.PHIL
LINNEA EHRI, PH.D.
KATHARINE PACE MILES, PH.D.
JASON YEATMAN PH.D.
ELSA CÁRDENAS-HAGAN, ED.D.
DONALD L. COMPTON, PH.D.
STEVEN GRAHAM, ED.D. NANCY HENNESSY M.ED.
KEN PUGH, PH.D. HOLLIS SCARBOROUGH, PH.D.
CONTINUING STUDENT ASSESSMENT RESEARCH WITH ROAR
We continued our in-school research partnership with the Stanford Reading and Dyslexia Research Program, administering the Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR) to students. ROAR, developed by AIM Research Advisory Board member and Stanford professor Dr. Jason Yeatman, provides an indication of how a student is performing on foundational reading skills that are prerequisites for reading fluency and comprehension. The research project began with 1st-3rd grade and 6th grade students during the 2022-2023 school year, expanded during the 2023-2024 school year, and continues during this school year.
PARTNERS PRESENT AT PLAIN TALK LITERACY CONFERENCE
Finding opportunities to learn from researchers and educators is an important way to empower lives through literacy. During the Center for Literacy and Learning’s Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning conference in New Orleans in January, AIM educators and leaders learned from researchers, connected with AIM Pathways education partners, and had the privilege to watch AIM’s Nicole Ormandy share her wisdom during two presentations, one on supporting English learners, using information from our Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners course created in collaboration with advisory board member Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, and the other on Alphabetic Phase Theory presented with advisory board members Dr. Linnea Ehri and Dr. Katie Pace Miles.
THE INTERSECTION OF READING AND WRITING—AIM’S RESEARCH TO PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM
Our 12th Annual Research to Practice Symposium welcomed more than 4,200 educators from all 50 states and 50 countries across the globe to examine the intersection of reading and writing. Attendees had opportunities to connect with renowned researchers to gain cutting-edge insights about best classroom practices and putting research into practice. The symposium was moderated by Dr. Katie Pace Miles, associate professor at Brooklyn College, CUNY, and featured these insightful presentations:
• Writing into Literacy: Leveraging Writing in the Early Years to Promote Reading, Sonia Cabell, Ph.D
• From Letters to Sounds and Back Again: Reading and Writing Long Words, Devin Kearns, Ph.D.
• Considerations for English Learners and Emergent Bilingual Students, Claude Goldenberg, Ph.D.
• The Comprehension-Composition Connection, Nancy Hennessy, M.ED
Dr. Kenneth Pugh, a researcher at the Yale Child Study Center and long-time AIM partner, received the 2024 Hollis Scarborough Award. His research primarily focuses on cognitive neuroscience and psycholinguistics, particularly in the neurobiology of typical and atypical language and reading development in children.
13TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM SAVE THE DATE— MARCH 10, 2025
“I’m optimistic about the partnerships that are being created between universities and departments of education, where we’re able to improve teacher training and serve the community by bringing pre-service and oftentimes in-service teachers…back into the communities after we’ve trained them in structured literacy.” DR. KATIE PACE MILES
“Language development affects all areas of learning, and that language starts very early…If parents and teachers can work together…to have those conversations with young children early on that build their language systematically, that would change things for young children.” DR. SONIA CABELL
“The whole impetus for our Haskins Global Literacy Hub and the in-school projects…Nicole Landi and colleagues at AIM have been working together with come from [Pat and Nancy’s] vision of how science and practice need to be brought together.” DR. KENNETH PUGH
THE LITERACY BLUEPRINT: AIM ROUNDTABLE
Following AIM’s Research to Practice Symposium, researchers, policy makers and leaders from large school districts and state Departments of Education, including New York City Public Schools, Orange County Public Schools (FL), the Mississippi Department of Education, and the Louisiana Department of Education, convened for a daylong roundtable conversation. The collaborative discussions during 'The Literacy Blueprint: A Plan for Improved Literacy Outcomes' centered on advancing leadership and professional development, enhancing diversity and inclusion in education, and effective literacy implementation strategies.
GROW
RECORD BREAKING ATHLETES
Our student athletes had an outstanding 2023-2024 athletic season, showcasing their dedication to teamwork and growth. The girls’ and boys’ varsity soccer teams made history with record-breaking victories, each securing the win at the PJAA District Championships. Notably, the girls’ soccer team became the first athletics team in the school’s history to win the PJAA league championship.
Our lacrosse and tennis teams also had landmark seasons, advancing to their firstever PJAA championships. The cross country team delivered a strong performance, finishing third at their championship meet, while the varsity mountain biking team excelled at the inaugural Eastern Regional Mountain Bike Championships.
AIM JOINS PAISAA AND ENHANCES
ATHLETICS FACILITIES
In line with our commitment to excellence and to supporting our athletics program, AIM has joined the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA). This new affiliation, in addition to our Penn-Jersey Athletic League participation, allows our athletes to compete with top independent schools across Pennsylvania in playoff competition, providing them with a statewide platform to showcase their talents. Additionally, work began in June to install a brand-new, eco-friendly and safer padded turf on the AIM field, further enhancing our athletic facilities and supporting the growth and safety of our athletes.
GROW
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
ATTEND NAIS PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE
Upper School students Veronica M. ’26 and Taylor M. ’25, along with Coordinator of DEIB LaShundra McCook and Assistant Director of Development Data Analytics Cory Saunders, traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, to attend the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) annual People of Color Conference. The 2023 theme, “Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power,” invited attendees to converge from diverse paths for a shared journey of truth, knowledge, joy, and empowerment. With over 100 workshops, PoCC explored the diverse experiences of people of color in independent schools. Four students and four staff members will attend the December 2024 conference, “Meeting the Moment: Anchoring and Enriching Our Education Futures.”
NEW GRANT ELEVATES AIM’S OUTDOOR EDUCATION INITIATIVES
AIM’s commitment to outdoor education is reflected in our diverse programs, including the NICA mountain biking team and Middle School Outride, and Project Bike Tech training program. Sam’s Place, named in honor of Sam Ozer ’20, serves as a hub for AIM School Bikes cycling programs. To further develop these programs, we received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Circuit Trails Coalition, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to supporting our existing programs, this grant will allow us to implement a new Pedal and Paddle Program. We are excited about the opportunities this expansion will bring, allowing our fearless learners to explore, learn, and grow in a dynamic and engaging environment.
STEAM MOBILE AT CAYUGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In October, AIM's Sylvia's Mobile STEAM Dream lab headed to Cayuga Elementary School in Philadelphia as part of Read by 4th's Reading Promise Week, a weeklong celebration of reading with literacy events held throughout the city. Volunteers, led by Director of Innovation Technology Aaron Brill and Middle School STEAM instructor Kathy Brandon read aloud to children and guided them through engaging creative activities. In May, the mobile lab returned to distribute books and literacy materials.
WOLFPACK ROBOTICS
Our Wolf Pack Robotics team, led student cocaptains Lucy C. ‘24 and Taylor M. ‘25, took home the win at the annual FIRST Mid-Atlantic robotics tournament at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy this spring. Team 5407, supervised by Director of Innovation & Technology Aaron Brill and Innovation Hub Educator Kyle DiTieri, grew exponentially in the past year, competing in several competitions and learning how to program, build, repair, and operate their robot together. Their growth and synergy has been admirable, and we’re excited to see what next year brings.
GROW
b .A.S.H. STUDENT SHOWCASE
In May, AIM welcomed students and family members to the annual, alldivision b.A.S.H. (blending of Art, Science, and the Humanities) showcase. b.A.S.H. serves as an interdisciplinary culmination of our students’ work that reinforces AIM’s mission of providing an arts-based education with immersive and experiential learning opportunities. This year, family and students gathered to admire art, music, STEAM, and more.
ALUMNI FEATURED AT b .A.S.H.
AIM had the special opportunity to showcase the incredible achievements of our dedicated alumni at b.A.S.H. Ellie Chiaradonna ’22 presented an art installation featuring canvas pieces that reflect her background and experiences at AIM. Her work, which includes some familiar AIM faces, was part of the Spectra: Exploring Neurodiverse Art exhibit at the Phillips Museum of Art, Franklin & Marshall College, where Ellie is currently a junior. Cooper Neel ’20 offered samples of his canned sparkling teas, Coop Neurorefreshers, a product he developed and is currently working to distribute. The line of drinks includes five flavors inspired by the unique challenges learning differences can present. The company’s social media feeds frequently focus on better understanding learning differences and Cooper is committed to giving a portion of his profits to organizations that support individuals with language-based learning disabilities.
“As a young girl with dyslexia, I had little confidence in myself… From a young age, I used art to express myself and provide myself with comfort and a release of worry. I’ve learned to use my art to convey powerful messages that I feel my words may be unable to form.”
ELLIE CHIARADONNA ’22
CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2024
On May 31st, the AIM community gathered to send off the 43 members of the Class of 2024. Our brilliant students got accepted into nearly 100 colleges and universities across the nation.
The celebration started with a stunning rendition of “You Are Light” by the Upper School Choir. Student speakers Lucy Connolly and Grace Pepper shared their personal struggles and how AIM helped them be more confident, fearless learners. Commencement speaker Asher Raphael, co-CEO of Power Home Remodeling, shared about his own learning difficulties and how he achieved success through adversity.
Head of Upper School Andrew DiPrinzio shared memories and anecdotes about each graduate, emphasizing their impacts on the AIM community before students received their diplomas. AIM cofounders Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair, Head of School Annette Fallon, biking teacher Jeff Fetterman, and Andrew DiPrinzio presented students with our annual awards. Each graduate was also presented with portraits, created by talented artist and AIM alum Ellie Chiaradonna ’22.
STUDENT HONOREES
DAVID MAREIN-EFRON AND GRACE PEPPER Class of 2024 Valedictorians
MIA GIANNONE Lou Uchitel Spirit Award
CORTÉA MILLER Marvins Award
PIPER BODEN Arts & Creativity Award
LUCY CONNOLLY Sam Ozer Award
“We will all branch off into different directions, from the army to tech school. From traveling abroad to attending college. We are all working towards our different goals, while still bound by a common root: the values AIM instilled in us, and the belief that you are capable of more than you give yourself credit for.”
LUCY CONN0LLY
“As we embark on this new chapter forward, each of us will have to face new challenges…that feel large and frightening to overcome. You have the power to face the challenges in front of you and make it out on top…We have built a standard that will last far beyond this school.” GRACE PEPPER
“With great opportunity comes great responsibility. AIM was an amazing opportunity…and now you have a responsibility, and that is to first and foremost, not let yourself down.”
ASHER RAPHAEL
UPPER SCHOOLER KATHRYN M. RECOGNIZED BY PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Kathryn (Kat) M. ’27 was recognized in the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research’s poster contest for her poster, “Animal Research Saves Lives.” The contest allows students from across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia to illustrate different aspects of biomedical research and science through art. Kat was honored during a dinner alongside her family and biology teacher Cherica Onyango
UPPER SCHOOL’S NICOLE D. EXCELS AT USEF
Upper School student Nicole D. ’27 and her horse, London, achieved remarkable success at the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) competition in Florida last winter. Nicole secured multiple 1st place finishes and an impressive 10th place in her debut classic 1-meter jumping competition. Notably, she competed against seasoned adults, horse trainers, and numerous highly skilled riders, all vying for the $1,000 prize!
CELEBRATING AIM ALUMNI:
Over the past year, it has been exciting to provide opportunities for our AIM Alumni, a group that now totals more than 300 young adults, to gather and connect. In November, AIM alumni met at Craft Hall in Philadelphia to enjoy food, drinks, and catch up. During this event, which included AIM faculty, we learned about graduates who are now nurses for patients with traumatic brain injuries, actors in feature films, burgeoning engineers in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) space, law students, commercial real estate agents, professional artists, and more. Be sure to mark your calendar for this year’s gathering on November 26th.
We also launched a new AIM tradition, AIM Alumni Day. Last spring, dozens of AIM alumni from our first graduating class to the Class of 2023, gathered and celebrated the retirement of founding faculty member Dee Castorani, who received our first AIM Outstanding Educator Award. The event included an alumni bike ride, delicious BBQ, and live music from music teacher Jon Gardner’s jazz orchestra, Gardyn Jazz.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Andrew Rosenstein ’17, who self-published a book on entrepreneurship during his senior year at AIM, has been on an exciting journey in the culinary industry ever since his graduation from Indiana University in Bloomington in 2022. Beginning in the “back of house” with celebrated Philadelphia chef Michael Solomonov at the legendary Zahav restaurant, Andrew has worked his way up through the kitchens and dining rooms of fine restaurants in New Jersey and Manhattan to his most recent position as Executive Assistant to the founders and chefs at Unapologetic Foods, which operates several award winning Indian restaurants. Andrew shared his experience in a recent update reflecting back on his time at AIM, noting that AIM had equipped him with the “confidence, problem solving, and communication” skills that are helping propel him forward in his career.
CAREER DAY
Upper School students connected with industry professionals in April to prepare for the workforce, gaining insights into various career paths. Twenty-four professionals from fields such as Art and Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Science and Engineering, and Global Mindset and Human Services shared their experiences at this event organized by college counselor Katherine Precourt. From engineers and chefs to the mayor of Conshohocken, students had the chance to explore careers that sparked their interest.
THRIVE
ARTS AT AIM
Whether it be behind the scenes as tech crew, on the stage, or in the classroom, the arts at AIM helps our students cultivate their passions and hone their skills in problem-solving, teamwork, resourcefulness, and more. Our students captivated the audience with four theatrical performances: The Lion King KIDS (Lower School), Into the Woods, Jr (Middle School), Almost, Maine (Upper School), and Anastasia (Upper School), as well as Winter Concerts and Student Showcases. In February, students gathered to show off the culmination of their work at b.A.S.H., which blends (b) work from the Arts (A), Science (S) and Humanities (H).
AIM RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING VISUAL ARTS COMMUNITY
The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) recognized AIM as an “Outstanding Visual Arts Community.” This endorsement is awarded to schools with rigorous, inclusive, and accessible programs. The PAEA state-wide recognition is a testament to AIM's commitment to the arts. At AIM, both dedicated art classes and arts-based education, help students develop crucial life skills like creative problem-solving and analytical thinking, ensuring they thrive as future-ready learners.
PAEA is a non-profit education organization affiliated with the National Art Education Association. The organization actively supports and promotes visual art education through professional development, leadership, and service, and awards schools with rigorous, inclusive, and accessible programs.
"Engagement in the arts at AIM Academy is a transformative experience,” said AIM Head of School Annette Fallon. “The arts allow our students to flourish and to feel the joy that comes with a sense of autonomy and accomplishment as they build perspective and empathy through our robust arts programming. We are very proud of our faculty, staff, and students and honored to receive this award as we continue to support our future ready leaders."
HOWLER STUDENT MAGAZINE
The Howler, AIM’s literary magazine, headed by English and creative writing teacher Jake Chase, showcased a wide range of student talents. From poetry and fiction to photography and digital art, our students explored their creative side, reinforcing AIM’s commitment to arts-based education.
EXPLORE
LEARNING THROUGH EXPLORATION
Immersive learning is integral to AIM’s curriculum, allowing students to connect their learning in the classroom to the real world. From icy expeditions to tropical adventures, students strengthened their knowledge while having fun with their peers. This year, our seniors embarked on an eight-day Senior Capstone trip to Belize to culminate their extensive study on Central American history and culture. Seventh graders stepped back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, delving into the history and culture of the revolutionary war era. Eighth graders became citizen scientists at the Teton Science School in Wyoming, investigating the intricate dynamics of mountain ecosystems by collecting data from the environment. And ninth graders learned about careers at Disney World.
BELIZE
To culminate their extensive study on Central American history and culture, AIM seniors embarked on an 8-day Senior Capstone trip to Belize in March. Our seniors learned about Belize’s rich history, diving deep into the country’s multi-cultural influences, iconic arts, and more, giving them context into their destination. They embarked on many adventures, including hiking the Mayan Temples that border Guatemala, encountering iguanas, toucans, and spider monkeys along the way. They immersed themselves in the local culture, participating in tortilla making, embroidery, and pottery, and gave back to the community with service work. The Class of 2025 will head to Italy!
TETON SCIENCE SCHOOL
Eighth graders became citizen scientists at the Teton Science School in Wyoming, investigating the intricate dynamics of mountain ecosystems by collecting data from the environment. To prepare for their adventure, AIM teachers in collaboration with the Teton Science School, created an individualized program that integrates the students’ science curriculum with handson learning experiences in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The students diligently collected information on air temperature, snow layer depth, density, and crystal formation, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of mountain ecosystems.
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
7th graders stepped back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, delving into the history and culture of the revolutionary war era. They began their trip back in time with a guided ghost tour, workshops on various professions of their era, and a colonial line dancing lesson. Exploring the Williamsburg Art Museum’s collection of art and artifacts, they were able to see the things they had learned about in class up close!
GIVING ANNUAL REPORT OF GIFTS 2023–2024
FOUNDERS SOCIETY
Thank you to the following donors who have given $2,006 or more during the 2023–2024 school year
$500,000+
AIM Scholarship LLC
$300,000+
Business Leadership Organized For Catholic Schools
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Inc.
van Beuren Charitable Foundation—Archbold and Helene van Beuren
$200,000+
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation
The Raphael Family Foundation
The Scharpf Family Foundation— Eric and Colleen Scharpf
$100,000+
Avram Hornik
Global Beta Advisors—Vince and Karen Lowry
Pennsylvania Education Partnership, LLC.
Truist Charitable Fund
$50,000+
Anonymous (2)
Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz
Brian and Nancy Blair
Albert and Kristy Chiaradonna
Comcast Corporation
F and B Berman Family Foundation, Inc.—Fred and Bryna Berman
Hanse Golf Course Design Inc.— Gilbert and Tracey Hanse
Independence Blue Cross
Klingenstein Philanthropies
Peter Kohn and Alexandra Samuels
Serge and Stephanie Pepper
PHLY Foundation
Chris and Patricia Roberts
Jackie and Stan Silverman
Michael and Amanda Stern
Thomas and Mollie Suddath
Thornedge Foundation— Hank Smith
WSFS
$40,000+
Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund
Mark and Nancy Quigley
Dave and Laura Stern
Zisman Family Foundation— Michael Zisman and Linda Gamblee
$30,000+
Nehama Benmosche
Jordan and Deanna Berman
Matthew and Lea Cohn
George Connell
John and Frances Glomb
John and Anne James
JF Maddox Foundation
Brian and Christine Lobley
Maguire Foundation—James Maguire and Megan Nicoletti
The Marino Reynolds Family Charitable Fund—William Marino and Elizabeth Reynolds
Crumdale Partners—Matthew and Heather Naylor
Brad Pogachefsky and Mollie Plotkin
Tom and Karen Robinson
$20,000+
Chuck Meyers and Sharyn Berman
The Berstein Family
Blue Rock Construction, Inc.
Sheldon and Jill Bonovitz
Rosalie Cohen
Michael and Ellen Dougherty
Friends of Education, LLC
Ron and Carol Giannone
Thomas Kessler and Jennifer Henfey
Joseph and Sharon Kestenbaum
KeyBank
The Farmboy Fund
Aaron and Stephanie Krause
Daniel and Melanie Marein-Efron
Richard and Amy Oller
Pennsylvania Environmental Council—Circuit Trails
Coalition Community Grant Program
Wayne and Amanda Quinn
William R. Sasso, Esq., Trustee of Leo Niessen Jr. Charitable Trust
SKF USA, Inc.
The Haverford Trust Company
Wawa Foundation
$10,000+
Jackie Allen
Bendita Foundation—Bethany Asplundh
Blackney Hayes Architects— Jennifer Crawford
BLBB Charitable
Theodore and Sally Brickman
Indranil Dasgupta and Sonia Nofziger-Dasgupta
Marco and Jana de Leon
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
Equus Capital Partners
Darryl Ford and Gail Sullivan
Clifford and Kristen Haugen
Corey and Rachel Heller
Peter Hilton-Kingdon and Kathy Ochroch
Instech Laboratories—Paul and Deanna Loughnane
Amy and Michael Kopelman
The Jon Liss Family
Maguire Enterprises II, LP
Brandon and Kelly Moore
Carlton and Nina Neel
Deborah and James Pellen
PJ Dick—Trumbull PNC Bank
Powell Family Foundation—
Richard and Shelley Powell, Steven and Catherine Powell
Christopher and Nancy Powell
Paul and Amy Reed
Peter and Kristie Ressler
Chad and Jennifer Rosenberg
Brian Sherman and Sandy Lau
Kevin and Jaimie Shmelzer
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
The Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation
Tri-State Technical Sales Corporation
Wilson Language Training
Hans and Terri Zandhuis
$5,000+
Richard and Marci Abt
Mary Adams
Ross and Michele Annable
Ballantine Family Charitable Fund—The Ballantine Family
Sasha Ballen and Dee Spagnuolo
Steven and Ilene Berger
The Biscardi Family
Jeff and Kristen Block
SnapCab—Glenn Bostock
Andrew and Jody Brookman
Eban Cucinotta and Micaela Greene
D.M. DiLella Family Foundation—
Daniel and Monica DiLella
Donna De Carolis
Evan Fieldston and Gabriela Marein-Efron
James Fitzgerald
Amir and Stacey Goldman
Michael and Lori Goodman
M. Joseph Rocks and Elizabeth Greco-Rocks
Mark and Natalie Hoffmann
Patrick and Karen Hoyer
Benjamin and Shiri Jerner
Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust
Benjamin and Rebecca Kirshner
Little Tower Foundation—
Thomas and Carolyn Carluccio and Joseph Carluccio ’16
Noro Properties—Elliot and Amy Holtz
Benjamin and Dana Oller
Jon Smollen and Leah Kaplan
David and Laura Thayer
Truist
Stuart and Sarah Warsetsky
Jason and Jaimee Weisz
$2,006+
Anonymous (1)
Aegis
Jacob and Abbey Alpert
Anchor Mechanical LLC
Steven and Ilene Berman
Jennifer Biro
Jose Carmona and Johanna Rossell
Darling-Spahr Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
Eric Dolaway and Amanda Muir
Robert and Katherine Eaddy EisnerAmper
Christopher and Jennifer Eni
Robert and Linda Ervin
James and Rebecca Goslee
Dave and Vardhana Goswami
Phil and Katie Grinnell
The Hammel Family Foundation—
Jed and Jessica Hammel
Victor and Dena Hammel
Brian and Tine Hansen-Turton
Diane Henfey
Thomas and Patricia Knight
Meridian Bank
Jacob Nyman and Elizabeth Blowers-Nyman
Arthur Pasquarella
Jonathan and Stephanie Pepper
Philadelphia Contributionship Insurance Company
Michael and Debra Piasecki
Arthur and Linda Rodbell
Ronald Rosen
Chaile Steinberg
Jeffrey and Hanna Steinberg
TOTAL GIVING 2023–2024
$1.7 MILLION
Frederick and Heather Sutor
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co.— Scott and Sharon Rankin
Harris Wildstein
EITC/OSTC
Hanse Golf Course Design Inc.— Gilbert and Tracey Hanse
Corey Heller and Rachel Rothbard
Heller
Peter Hilton-Kingdon and Kathy Ochroch
Mark and Natalie Hoffmann
Avram Hornik
Independence Blue Cross
Instech Laboratories—Paul and Deanna Loughnane
John and Anne James
22%
91
85 contributed by individuals and businesses to AIM in 2023–2024 of all AIM students receive financial aid AIM students benefited from EITC/OSTC scholarships businesses and individuals contributed
AIM salutes the following businesses and individuals for participating in the EITC or OSTC PA Tax Credit Program that offers a substantial tax credit in exchange for a contribution to support AIM Academy scholarships.
Anonymous (1)
Richard and Marci Abt
Mary Adams
AIM Scholarship LLC
Sasha Ballen and Dee Spagnuolo Nehama Benmosche
Steven and Ilene Berger
Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz
Bryna and Fred Berman
The Berstein Family
Blackney Hayes Architects— Jennifer Crawford
Brian and Nancy Blair
Jeff and Kristen Block
Blue Rock Construction, Inc.
Sheldon and Jill Bonovitz
SnapCab—Glenn Bostock
Andrew and Jody Brookman
Business Leadership Organized For Catholic Schools
Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund
Matthew and Lea Cohn
Comcast Corporation
Marco and Jana de Leon
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
Evan Fieldston and Gabriela Marein-Efron
Darryl Ford and Gail Sullivan
Friends of Education, LLC
Ron and Carol Giannone
John and Frances Glomb
Amir and Stacey Goldman
Michael and Lori Goodman
Benjamin and Shiri Jerner
Thomas Kessler and Jennifer Henfey
Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum
KeyBank
Keystone Property Group
Peter Kohn and Alexandra Samuels
Amy and Michael Kopelman
The Jon Liss Family
Christine and Brian Lobley
Maguire Enterprises II, LP
William Marino and Elizabeth Reynolds
Meridian Bank
Chuck Meyers and Sharyn Berman
Brandon and Kelly Moore
Carlton and Nina Neel
Indranil Dasgupta and Sonia Nofziger-Dasgupta
Noro Properties—Elliot and Amy Holtz
James and Deborah Pellen
Pennsylvania Education Partnership, LLC.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
PJ Dick—Trumbull
PNC Bank
Brad Pogachefsky and Mollie Plotkin
Christopher and Nancy Powell
Mark and Nancy Quigley
Wayne and Amanda Quinn
The Reed Family
Peter and Kristie Ressler
Chris and Patricia Roberts
Tom A. Robinson
Chad and Jennifer Rosenberg
Brian Sherman and Sandy Lau
Kevin and Jaimie Shmelzer
Jackie and Stan Silverman
SKF USA, Inc.
Dave and Laura Stern
Thomas and Mollie Suddath
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
The Haverford Trust Company
Tri-State Technical Sales Corporation
Truist
Archbold and Helene van Beuren
Sarah and Stuart Warsetsky
Jason and Jaimee Weisz
Harris Wildstein
WSFS
AIM INSTITUTE
Anonymous (1)
An Anonymous Family Foundation
12M and Ed Tech Recruiting
Jackie Allen
BLBB Charitable Credentials Unlimited
Everyone Reads PA
Great Minds
JF Maddox Foundation
Joyful Readers
Klingenstein Philanthropies
Rafael and Carol Lissack
Loyola Press
Kirill and Frida Lukov
Steven and Phyllis Novick
Nicole Ormandy
PHLY Foundation
Reading Allowed
Kay Ryan
Hollis Scarborough
Julie Spahr
The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Inc.
Dante and Kelly Volpe
Wilson Language Training
CLASS OF 2024 GIFT
The parents of AIM Academy’s Class of 2024 demonstrated an extraordinary level of generosity with pledges and contributions exceeding $175,000. This remarkable show of support reflects their deep commitment to the school's mission of empowering students with learning differences and equipping them with the cutting-edge tools and skills needed for our rapidly evolving workforce.
The funds raised have had a significant impact across several key areas, including the expansion of AIM's athletics programs, enhancement of robust arts initiatives, continuity of vital professional development for educators, and the creation of unique and forward-thinking opportunities in STEM, career counseling, entrepreneurship and workforce development at the new Global Innovation Hub. This generosity ensures that AIM can continue to provide innovative resources and experiences that enrich the lives of all its students, preparing them for bright futures.
REVENUE 2023–2024
AIM FUND
Thank you to all of our donors. By supporting the AIM Fund you ensure that we have unrestricted support for programming.
Anonymous (7)
Nora Adadurova
Stephen and Carol Aichele
Jackie Allen
Curtis Alloy and Wendy Demchick Alloy
Jacob and Abbey Alpert
TUITION: 44%
FUNDRAISING: 9%
AUXILIARY SERVICES: 4%
EDUCATOR TRAINING: 26%
SUMMER PROGRAM: 1%
OTHER INCOME: 16%
Catherine Anderson
Eric and Maureen Anderson
Ross and Michele Annable
Joy Antonoplos
Wilfried and Freia Backes
Ballantine Family Charitable Fund—The Ballantine Family
Dee Spagnuolo and Sasha Ballen
Bendita Foundation—Bethany Asplundh
Eric Berndt and Anne Matlack
F and B Berman Family Foundation, Inc.—Fred and Bryna Berman
Steven and Ilene Berman
The Biscardi Family
Brian and Nancy Blair
Greg Blair and Karla Ch’ien
BLBB Charitable
Lindsey Boden
John and Kathy Brandon
Mark Brandon
Theodore and Sally Brickman
Aaron Brill
Jeffrey Brody and Elizabeth Bauer Brody
Willard and Sharon Bronstein
Andrew and Jody Brookman
Bob and Joan Campbell
Christian and Kristine Cappello
Albert and Kristy Chiaradonna
Anthony and Jenniffer Chieffo
John and Lynne Ciccarelli
Max Kaufman and Joy Clairmont
Martha Clark
Avital Cnaan
The Coburns
Rosalie Cohen
Seth and Rachel Cohen
Gina Collier and Patricia Hamill
George Connell
Aviva Coyne-Green
Jennifer Crawford
Eban Cucinotta and Micaela Greene
Neil Curry and Mary Costello
Darling-Spahr Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
Martha Davis
Donna De Carolis
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
Michael and Erin DeVault
Mario and Lisa Diez
Eric Dolaway and Amanda Muir
Michael and Ellen Dougherty
Scott and Julia Engel
Christopher and Jennifer Eni
Annette Fallon and Eric Cox
Bert and Helen Fallon
Cheryl Ferst
Jeff Fetterman and Taia Harlos
Evan Fieldston and Gabriela Marein-Efron
Michael and Valerie Flitter
Darryl Ford and Gail Sullivan
Paul Frank
Douglas and Monica Frichtel
Ron and Carol Giannone
Megan Gierka
Daniel Glass
John and Suzanne Glomb
Lynn Godmilow and Charles Brill
James and Rebecca Goslee
M. Joseph Rocks and Elizabeth Greco-Rocks
R. Anderson Groover and Amanda Beeler
Stephen and Gail Grosh
Jed and Jessica Hammel
Victor and Dena Hammel
Brian and Tine Hansen-Turton
Clifford and Kristen Haugen
Justin Head and Heather Cates
Kristen Heal
Kathy Healey
Alexander Helderman and Carrie Rosen
Hal and Phyllis Helderman
Corey and Rachel Heller
Diane Henfey
Family of Ashtyn Hernandez
Peter Hilton-Kingdon and Kathy Ochroch
Gordon and Kristine Honig
Patrick and Karen Hoyer
Marc and Bonnie Inver
Denis Jablonka and Alyssa Terk
Robert and Alicja Kapusta
Shlomo and Devorah Katz
Alan and Rosalind Kaufman
Barry Keenan and Tara Pal
Charlene Kellert
Mark and Susan Kessler
Joseph and Sharon Kestenbaum
Bruce Kingdon and Marsha Hilton-Kingdon
Matthew and Tammy Klein
Simone Knight
Peter Kohn and Alexandra
Samuels
Brian Kors
Aaron and Stephanie Krause
Bryan Kurish
Nicole Lauria
Devon Lavery
Jason Lavigne and Elizabeth Barrows
Diana Layman
Ross and Amy Levy
Little Tower Foundation—
Thomas and Carolyn Carluccio and Joseph Carluccio ’16
John and Lisa Lokuta
Vincent and Karen Lowry
AJ MacCausland ’20
James MacNew
Michael Mansi
Luke and Cindy Marano
Daniel and Melanie Marein-Efron
Jonathan and Nina Marks
Erin Marshman
Philip and Thea Maurer
Todd and Angela McGrath
Matthew McHugh and Holly Harner
Brian and Annmarie McManus
Daniel and Alicia Mendicino
Stephen Metraux and Rebecca Canna
Dimitris and Pelagia Mihailidis
Stephen and Meredith Moss
Jerry and Dana Mullaney
John New
Robert Newman ’19
Jacob Nyman and Elizabeth Blowers-Nyman
Nicole Ormandy
Warren Pear and Cadence Kim
Jonathan and Stephanie Pepper
Adam Pessin and Jane Foster
Philadelphia Contributionship Insurance Company
Bill and Gay Phillips
Powell Family Foundation— Richard and Shelley Powell, Steven and Catherine Powell
Christopher and Nancy Powell
Geoffrey and Sally Preston
Wayne and Amanda Quinn
Ameet and Genie Ravital
Susie Reece
Chris and Patricia Roberts
Ronald Rosen
Philip Ruth
Tracy Ryals
Cory Saunders
Leslie Schade
Amy Schwab
Joel Schwartz
Stephen Seplow
Larry Shendalman
Brian Sherman and Sandy Lau
Helen Sherman
Kevin and Jaimie Shmelzer
Mark Shulman and Dorothy Baiocco-Shulman
Signature Realty Advisors— Mark and Nancy Quigley
Jackie and Stan Silverman
Gary and Sandra Simon
Jon Smollen and Leah Kaplan
Sonic Promos
Victor Sosa and Deanna DiMemmo-Sosa
Scott Sowers and HK KimSowers
Richard and Sara Stewart
Elizabeth Sushereba
Frederick and Heather Sutor
Ben Swartz and Amy Norwitz
Mark and Kim Sylvester OPERATING EXPENSES 2023–2024 PAYROLL & BENEFITS:
The Clayman Foundation— Stephen Cohen and David Cohen
The Farmboy Fund
The Hammel Family Foundation— Jed and Jessica Hammel
The Tobin Family Foundation— Lynne Tobin, Steve Tobin, and Sharon Tobin Kestenbaum
Thornedge Foundation—Henry Smith
van Beuren Charitable Foundation—Archbold and Helene van Beuren
Mark McGuire and Jo-Ann Verrier
Jennifer Vincent
Dante and Beth Volpe
Joan Wachlin
Christine Washington
Joe and Mags Watts
Jon Weinstein
Kay White
Christina Whitehouse
John and Nancy Williams
Patricia Williamson
Herman and Hermine Willis
Donald and Susan Yablon
YourCause, LLC
Tina Zampitella
Hans and Terri Zandhuis
Susan Zaslow
Eric and Elizabeth Ziegler
IN MEMORY
EMILY ALLAN
Dante and Kelly Volpe
ARLENE ALTMAN
Fred and Bryna Berman
BOB BLAIR
Curtis Alloy and Wendy Demchick Alloy
DIANE J. EVANS
Brian and Nancy Blair
THE KAPUSTA AND PORTO FAMILIES
Robert and Alicja Kapusta
SAMUEL OZER ’20
Anonymous (1)
Charles* and Jenny Beeler
Bicycle Club of Philadelphia
Anne Bower
Caroline Cinquanto
Jennifer Coburn
Jerrold and Jennifer Cohen
Dana Dentice
Jeffrey and Sharon Fang
Benjamin Filiatrault and family
Robert and Lisa Goetz
Beth Goodell and Janet Scannell
Reed and Jackie Grimenstein
Denise Harris
Michael Hendershot
Thomas and Patricia Kelly
Corinne Lagermasini
Leslie Mayro and Naomi Fleischman Mayro
Gary Merron and Deirdre
Stallworth
Marie Ellen Murphy
Lorrie Murray
Lori Nonnemaker
Jack Perme
John Robb
The Eliot Rusk Family
Paul Schmidt
Joel Schwartz
John and Christine Schwartz
Kathy Schwartz
David and Janet Senderling
Bruce Shannon
Ben Swartz and Amy Norwitz
Stephen Harris
John and Paula Wehmiller
Nathaniel Work
ALAN RAPHAEL
Brian and Nancy Blair
Chris and Patricia Roberts
CHARLES J. TORNETTA
Curtis Alloy and Wendy Demchick Alloy
JAMES O. WADLEY
Phyllis Wadley
IN HONOR
AMANDA BEELER
Charles* and Jenny Beeler
BRYNA BERMAN
The Saramar Charitable Fund
CAROLYN BJORNSON
Andrew and Jody Brookman
AARON BRILL
Lynn Godmilow and Charles Brill
BLAKE BRONSTEIN
Willard and Sharon Bronstein
DREW AND JODY BROOKMAN
Arthur Pasquarella
SAMARA BROOKMAN
Nat and Ann Greenfield
Susan Zaslow
AIM FACULTY AND STAFF
Jeffrey Brody and Elizabeth
Bauer Brody
Robert Newman ’19
AL AND KRISTY
CHIARADONNA
Arthur and Linda Rodbell
MATTHEW COHEN AND REETU DANDORA
Jerrold and Jennifer Cohen
AVIVA COYNE-GREEN
Andrew and Jody Brookman
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
THE DE LEON FAMILY
Q. Why do you support AIM through the EITC scholarship program?
A. We chose to support AIM with a scholarship contribution because we know the good work they do and the difference they make in so many lives.
Q. How has AIM made a difference in your family life?
A. AIM has made a tremendous difference in our family! They provided an empowering learning environment for our son, Jordan, an AIM student from 5th–12th grade. He was diagnosed with a learning difference in Pre-Kindergarten, and AIM gave him the necessary tools to enable him to progress in higher education and graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from Susquehanna University.
Q. What is unique about how AIM prepares students for the workforce and changing world?
A. AIM strives to help students to be well-rounded individuals whether they are interested in science, the arts, or entrepreneurship. They have built relationships with local universities to provide students with a dual-enrollment program so that they can be better prepared for the college experience. Students take classes in fields that they may wish to enter when they graduate. The credits they earn at these universities can then be transferred to the colleges that the students attend. In addition, they encourage their students to give back to the community through community service opportunities
PHLY FOUNDATION
What is unique about how AIM prepares students for a changing world?
All of my children attended AIM, and I can attest to the commitment to equip students with cuttingedge skills and real-world experiences. The new Global Innovation Hub and Corporate Commons will take career readiness to the next level, allowing collaboration between students, corporate partners, and educators. With mentorship opportunities, they will be prepared to meet the challenges of the modern workforce and become leaders and innovators in their fields. This aligns with the Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) Foundation’s mission to invest in the next generation of insurance industry talent. Success in many career paths, including risk management and insurance, requires dedication to continuous learning and the ability to evolve in an ever-changing workplace. What inspired PHLY Foundation to invest in literacy initiatives, particularly those grounded in the science of reading?
Our investment is critical because it addresses a fundamental need in education—ensuring that all students, regardless of their learning differences, have access to evidence-based literacy instruction. As a former AIM parent and current trustee, I am deeply inspired by AIM’s unique dual mission, bringing together a world-class research institute dedicated to research-to-practice education and a school that serves as a proof of concept. The AIM Pathways professional development program equips educators with the tools and knowledge they need to teach reading effectively, ultimately transforming the lives of countless children. The impact, particularly in underserved communities, is
profound and far-reaching, making it a natural and essential focus for the PHLY Foundation.
How do you see PHLY’s role in the broader ecosystem of literacy and education funders?
By supporting AIM Pathways, PHLY contributes to the immediate improvement of literacy rates among disadvantaged students and fosters longterm systemic change in education. PHLY positions itself as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in literacy and education funding. It excites me to know that many of our PHLY Foundation grantees collaborate to further their missions, meaning that PHLY’s investments result in double or triple the return.
What role do you see for public-private partnerships in advancing literacy through the science of reading and technology?
Public-private partnerships and collaborations bring the strengths of the private sector— innovation, agility, and resources—with the public sector’s reach and commitment to equitable education. We can leverage scientific research and technological advancements to develop and scale effective literacy programs that are accessible to all students, regardless of background. We can transform educational outcomes and close the literacy gap, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
JOHN GLOMB
ANDREW DIPRINZIO, AVIVA COYNE-GREEN AND CAROLYN
BJORNSON
Andrew and Jody Brookman
CLASS OF 2024
Anne Matlack and Eric Berndt
Gina Collier and Patricia Hamill
ED GALLAGHER III
David and Laura Thayer
JOHN GLOMB
James Fitzgerald
BLBB Charitable
JACOB HELDERMAN
Alexander Helderman and Carrie Rosen
JONAH KAUFMAN
Rosalind and Alan Kaufman
BRIAN KORS
Matthew and Tammy Klein
KATIE MAJORINS
Elizabeth Sushereba
DAVID MAREIN-EFRON ’24
Daniel and Melanie Marein-Efron
Larry Shendalman
THE NINTH GRADE FACULTY AND STAFF
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
PENNSYLVANIA BRANCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
Jason and Jessica McKee
SID OZER
Anne Bower
Dana Dentice
Reed and Jackie Grimenstein
Denise Harris
Michael Hendershot
Marie Ellen Murphy
GRACE PEPPER ’24
Julie Spahr
PAT ROBERTS
Gary and Sandra Simon
CAMERON RODIO
Steven and Phyllis Novick
SYDNEY AND AIDAN SILVERMAN
Barry and Jan Salis
AMANDA TINGLE-OLINE
Shlomo and Devorah Katz
Dimitris and Pelagia Mihailidis
RYAN VAUGHN ’18
Diana Layman
BEATRICE VOLPE
Dante and Beth Volpe
JOHN WEHMILLER
Lori Nonnemaker
WES WEHMILLER
John and Paula Wehmiller
TEACHER RETIREMENT
FUND
Anonymous (1)
Nehama Benmosche
Eric Berndt and Anne Matlack
Bill and Lisa Berry
The Biscardi Family
Robert and Kelly Campbell
Jose Carmona and Johanna Rossell
Caroline Cinquanto
Louis Cinquanto
Eban Cucinotta and Micaela Greene
Neil Curry and Mary Costello
Indranil Dasgupta and Sonia Nofziger-Dasgupta
Jennifer Davey
Martha Davis
Bill and Michele Demski
Robert and Beth Denny
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
Eric Dolaway and Amanda Muir
Michael and Ellen Dougherty
Alexander Helderman and Carrie Rosen
Evan Fieldston and Gabriela Marein-Efron
David Freireich and Sharon Herring
James and Rebecca Goslee
Phil and Katie Grinnell
Devin Grosh and Katherine Rohan Grosh
Alan Halfenger and Judith Moroz
Jed and Jessica Hammel
Michael Hessol and Angela Keller
Mark and Natalie Hoffmann
Gordon and Kristine Honig
Denis Jablonka and Alyssa Terk
Thomas Kessler and Jennifer Henfey
Thomas and Patricia Knight
Peter Kohn and Alexandra Samuels
Matthew Law
Jessica Law
Gregg and Mara Lemos-Stein
Paul and Deanna Loughnane
William Marino and Elizabeth Reynolds
Brian and Corinne McDaid
Todd and Angela McGrath
Jim and Melanie McHugh
Trevor and Jacqueline McKenzie
Daniel and Alicia Mendicino
Adam Newman and Randi Cuba-Newman
Benjamin and Dana Oller
Michael and Debra Piasecki
Theresa Prasalowicz
Joseph Purzycki and Jennifer Capano
Peter and Kristie Ressler
Dee Spagnuolo and Sasha Ballen
Brad Rosen and Alanna Strong
Scott and Renay Shaw
Brian Sherman and Sandy Lau
Douglas and Alison Smith
Jeffrey and Hanna Steinberg
Michael and Amanda Stern
James and Ann Stinchon
Thomas and Mollie Suddath
Ryan and Holly Tomlinson
Thane and Karla Trotman
Justin and Kate Witman
AIM FOR THE STARS GALA
The 2024 AIM for the Stars Gala on Thursday, April 18th was an inspiring evening featuring performances from our students, moving speeches and calls to action to Partner for Impact. The event was a rousing success, raising more than $330,000 to support student programming and spread the gift of literacy across the country. Gala CoChairs and AIM parents Andrew and Jody Brookman, shared the impact AIM has had on their daughter Samara ’24, and we were proud to award Dr. Tim Odegard with the Sally L. Smith Founders Award, named after the founder of the Lab School of Washington, who was an inspiration for Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair's founding of AIM in 2006. Dr. Odegard is a prolific dyslexic researcher at Middle Tennessee State University, and is also dyslexic himself, bringing his experiences and challenges to his work. Former AIM parent and current board member John. W. Glomb, Jr., CEO of Philadelphia Insurance Companies was presented with the AIM Institute for Learning and Research Award for his continued work supporting AIM’s innovative work supporting students like his four children, including our first set of triplet students! Thank you to the Gala Committee, our generous sponsors and donors, and the AIM community, who helped make the evening a success. We hope that you will join us next spring for the 2025 AIM for the Stars Gala on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
AIM FOR THE STARS
Anonymous (4)
Gordon and Jennifer Adams
Aegis
Jacob and Abbey Alpert
Anchor Mechanical LLC
James and Hayes Bakken
Ballantine Family Charitable Fund—The Ballantine Family
Andrea Belkin
Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz
Jennifer Biro
The Biscardi Family
Jon and Carolyn Bjornson
Blackney Hayes Architects—
Jennifer Crawford
Greg Blair and Karla Ch’ien
Brian and Nancy Blair
Elissa Bloom
Lindsey Boden
Robert and Rachel Bonner
Steven and Kristin Bowen
Jeffrey Brody and Elizabeth Bauer
Brody
Richard and Ariel Bronstein
Andrew and Jody Brookman
Matthew and Allison Brookman
Ellie Cantor
Joseph Carluccio ’16
Jose Carmona and Johanna Rossell
James and Jocelyn Casey
Albert and Kristy Chiaradonna
Michael Cianchetta
Max Kaufman and Joy Clairmont
Barbara Cobb
Corbett, Inc
Monica Covington-Cradle and Derek Cradle
Aviva Coyne-Green
Nick and Kate Cronin
Crumdale Partners—Matthew and Heather Naylor
Eban Cucinotta and Micaela
Greene
Kevin Curry and Colleen Costello
D.M. DiLella Family Foundation
Donna De Carolis
Curtis Alloy and Wendy Demchick Alloy
Leonard and Elaine DeStefano
Michael and Erin DeVault
D.M. DiLella Family Foundation— Daniel and Monica DiLella
Andrew DiPrinzio
Dominic and Kathryn DiPrinzio
Eric Dolaway and Amanda Muir
Michael and Ellen Dougherty
Robert and Katherine Eaddy
EisnerAmper
Equus Capital Partners
F and B Berman Family Foundation, Inc.—Fred and Bryna Berman
Brad Fahnestock
Annette Fallon and Eric Cox
Ellen Farber
Evan Fieldston and Gabriela
Marein-Efron
James Fitzgerald
Darryl Ford and Gail Sullivan
Justin and Morgan Forer
Steven Gentner
Sid and Swapna Ghosh
Global Beta Advisors—Vince and Karen Lowry
John and Franny Glomb
James and Rebecca Goslee
Dave and Vardhana Goswami
Making Literacy Your Legacy
AIM FOR THE STARS CONTINUED
M. Joseph Rocks and Elizabeth Greco-Rocks
Nat and Ann Greenfield
R. Anderson Groover and Amanda Beeler
Phil and Katie Grinnell
Heidi Guarino
Liz Harris
Clifford and Kristen Haugen
Thomas Haupert and Kathryn Bruton
High Swartz LLP—Thomas Rees
Peter Hilton-Kingdon and Kathy Ochroch
Andrew and Laura Hoffman
Jonathan and Meredith Hoffman
Jeffrey and Marjorie Honickman
Patrick and Karen Hoyer
Jean Philippe Iberti and Leilani
Schlottfeldt
Initiatives, Inc—Melissa and Mitchell Codkind
Brian James
Darin Jellison
K&L Energy LLC
Robert and Alicja Kapusta
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONARROE SOCIETY? Contact the Advancement Office at development@aimpa.org or 215–948–9335 www.aimpa.org Is AIM in your will or other plans? Join the growing list of Conarroe members, AIM’s planned giving society named after the street of our original location.
Bridget Keeley
Russ and Deb Kliman
Angela Ko
Amy and Michael Kopelman
Ben Kottler
Aaron and Stephanie Krause
Shane Kunkel
Jeffrey and Jamie Lagnese
Gregory Lattanzi and Haviva
Goldman
John and Kristin Lawton
Kenneth and Jenifer Levy
Ross and Amy Levy
Hezekiah and Leashia Lewis
Barrie Litzky
Brian and Christine Lobley
Paul and Deanna Loughnane
Vincent and Karen Lowry
Jon and Kelli Marans
Daniel and Melanie Marein-Efron
Deanne Marein-Efron
Mike and Tara Maxwell
Jim and Melanie McHugh
Edward and Julie McLaughlin
Daniel and Alicia Mendicino
Stephen Metraux and Rebecca Canna
David and Hannah Meyer
Stephen and Elizabeth Meyer
Bob and Louisa Miller
Ralph and Claire Morgan
Jerry and Dana Mullaney
Matthew and Heather Naylor
Robert Newman ’19
Adam Newman and Randi Cuba-Newman
Patricia Nino
Tim Odegard
Michael Pack and Kristin Lorent
Arthur Pasquarella
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Michael and Debra Piasecki
Kristopher and Amy Pietrzykowski
PJ Dick—Trumbull
Christopher and Nancy Powell
Professional Duplicating
Chad and Kelly Punchard
Matthew Raalf and Lezlie Madden
James and Kimberly Rathburn
Gail Redpath
Peter and Kristie Ressler
Chris and Patricia Roberts
Robertson’s Flowers
Devin Grosh and Katherine Rohan Grosh
Ashley Rohrbach
Brad Rosen and Alanna Strong
Susan Rup
Ryco Contracting, LLC
Barry and Jan Salis
Eric and Rachel Silverman
Jackie and Stan Silverman
Brad Smith
Richard Smith and Justine Stehle
Jon Smollen and Leah Kaplan
Victor Sosa and Deanna DiMemmo-Sosa
Steamfitters L.U. 420
Monica Steigerwald
Chaile Steinberg
Jeffrey and Hanna Steinberg
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Beth Sturman
Scott Suazo and Barbara Delaney
Anne Tenthoff
David and Laura Thayer
The Haverford Trust Company
The Saramar Charitable Fund
Thornedge Foundation— Hank Smith
Amanda Tingle-Oline
Bryan and Alex Tracy
Travers Contractors, Inc.
Thane and Karla Trotman
Truist
Dennis and Ann Tuza
Matthew and Claire Uebele
Ron Harris and Andrea Vaden-Harris
Christopher and Kimberly von der Lieth
Stuart and Sarah Warsetsky
Richard and Eileen Weinberg
David Weinstein
A NEW ERA OF INNOVATION AT AIM
In November we will open the doors of The Global Innovation Hub, a 17,000-square-foot addition to AIM’s campus designed to help unleash innovation for our students. The Hub’s academic offerings will allow students to immerse themselves in experiential learning, and will be equipped with advanced science labs and collaborative spaces that encourage academic exploration outside a traditional classroom. The Hub’s Corporate Commons will provide an opportunity for students to collaborate with industry professionals to develop valuable real-world skills needed for futureready learning and success. These key partnerships will help foster industry connections, facilitate mentoring, and give students practical experience to serve them beyond their time at AIM.
Not only will our students benefit from the Hub, they have had an active involvement in its construction. Art teacher Susan Braccia gathered Upper School students interested in architecture, engineering and design (The Project Hub Building Student Group), to meet with the construction management team. Throughout the construction, the team learned about all the different roles on a construction site, and several aspects of the physical construction progress. The team had a blast donning their construction helmets and pursuing their interests in architecture and design!
We are so excited to use this space to reimagine our students’ educational experiences, and provide them ample opportunities and resources for success, whether it be through corporate partnerships, state-of-the-art science labs, hands-on media and tech spaces, and more. We can’t wait to meet you at the Hub.
“Coming here and being able to go on to a site that’s getting built and seeing the details in person…it’s so interesting seeing how analytical they are with the whole process, and it was like a vision to my future. It’s so inspiring.” ANDREA C.
“I wanted to see how these building blocks go together. I was curious how the maps, the timing, the schedule works…how many different elements go into this overall project. Watching the process is quite fascinating.” NORA
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FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
Scott and Adrianne Wolkenberg
Chris Womack
WSFS
Hans and Terri Zandhuis
Susan Zaslow
Katerina Zisman ’19
RESTRICTED
Anonymous (3)
Charles* and Jenny Beeler
Bicycle Club of Philadelphia
Anne Bower
Joshua Marks and Peggy Brady
Marks
Caroline Cinquanto
Jennifer Coburn
Jerrold and Jennifer Cohen
Comcast Corporation
Bill and Michele Demski
Dana Dentice
Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation
Robert and Linda Ervin
Jeffrey and Sharon Fang
Benjamin Filiatrault
Robert and Lisa Goetz
Elizabeth Goodell
Reed and Jackie Grimenstein
Denise Harris
Michael Hendershot
Nathan Johnson and Alana Salvucci
Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust
Thomas and Patricia Kelly
Spencer and Patricia Knight
Brian Kors
Corinne Lagermasini
William R. Sasso, Esq., Trustee of Leo Niessen Jr. Charitable Trust
Rafael and Carol Lissack
Lockheed Martin
Maguire Foundation
Leslie Mayro and Naomi
Fleischman Mayro
Jason and Jessica McKee
Marie Ellen Murphy
Lorrie Murray
Lori Nonnemaker
Pennsylvania Environmental Council—Circuit Trails Coalition Community Grant Program
Jack Perme
Peter and Kristie Ressler
John Robb
The Eliot Rusk Family
Cory Saunders
Paul Schmidt
John and Christine Schwartz
Joel Schwartz
Kathy Schwartz
David and Janet Senderling
Bruce Shannon
Brian Sherman and Sandy Lau
Jon Smollen and Leah Kaplan
Gary Merron and Deirdre Stallworth
Ben Swartz and Amy Norwitz
The Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation
The Patricia Kind Family Foundation
Phyllis Wadley
Wawa Foundation
John and Paula Wehmiller
Nathaniel Work
AIM HIGHER
Anonymous (2)
Financial Assistance provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor
Ken and Valerie Baker
Ballantine Family Charitable Fund—The Ballantine Family Bendita Foundation—Bethany Asplundh
Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz
F and B Berman Family Foundation, Inc.—Fred and Bryna Berman
Jordan and Deanna Berman
Blackney Hayes Architects—
Jennifer Crawford
Brian and Nancy Blair
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
TRUIST CHARITABLE FUND (TCF)
AIM was thrilled to receive a $100,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund in support of the new Global Innovation Hub addition and Corporate Commons, which aim to provide a space where students and industry partners can come together to collaborate on projects, participate in mentoring programs, and engage in career counseling.
Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Truist Charitable Fund (TCF) was created to support local charities that serve the same communities as Truist. Among other pillars, TCF is dedicated to supporting leadership development and career pathways to economic mobility. TCF is a donor-advised fund, administered by the Winston-Salem Foundation.
This TCF grant will help AIM fulfill the vision of the Hub and Corporate Commons when it opens in November 2024 to provide students with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and real-world problem-solving alongside industry professionals.
“We’re proud to support AIM as its mission aligns with our purpose of inspiring and building better lives and communities,” said Truist Market President Chad Leyden. “Students will benefit from these projects, mentoring programs and career counseling.”
The Truist Charitable Fund (“TCF”) is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by the Winston-Salem Foundation. TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development and essential community services. To learn more about Truist’s purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we-are/about-truist.
Al and Kristy Chiaradonna
Perky Cohen
George Connell
Donna De Carolis
Darryl Ford and Gail Sullivan
Dan Giroux
Global Beta Advisors—Vince and Karen Lowry
Phillip and Katie Grinnell
Elliot and Amy Holtz
Patrick and Karen Hoyer
Peter Kohn and Alex Samuels
Amy and Michael Kopelman
John and Amy Korman
Brian Kors
Brian and Christine Lobley
Daniel and Melanie Marein-Efron
Bill Marino and Elizabeth Reynolds
Matt and Heather Naylor
Richard and Amy Oller
Serge and Stephanie Pepper
David and Tracy Reller
Chris and Patricia Roberts
M. Joseph Rocks and Liz GrecoRocks
Gregory and Teresa Rodgers
Stan and Jackie Silverman
Michael and Amanda Stern
Tom and Mollie Suddath
The Clayman Foundation— Stephen Cohen and David Cohen
The Raphael Family Foundation
The Scharpf Family Foundation— Eric and Colleen Scharpf
Thornedge Foundation—Henry Smith
Truist Charitable Fund
van Beuren Charitable Foundation—Archie and Helene van Beuren
Zisman Family Foundation—
Michael Zisman and Linda Gamble
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
Adobe Inc.
American Water
Bank of America
Excelon Foundation
Johnson and Johnson
Merck
Moderna Therapeutics
Morgan Stanley
Pfizer
RELX Inc.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
SAP Vanguard
Veeva
GIFTS IN-KIND
AIM Academy
Jackie Allen
James Bakken
Bar Lucca
Bark Box barre3
Big Blue Swim School
Jennifer Biro
Blank Rome LLP—Kathy Ochroch and Peter Hilton-Kingdon
