AIMS K-12 College Prep was set to receive back to back awards this week for our innovative work in breaking systemic barriers for some of Oakland's most vulnerable student populations. AIMS was just announced as the winner of the 2020 Hart Vision Awards for School of the Year in Northern California. This Wednesday, AIMS we will be honored in the first ever A-G Quality School Awards.
While we wish we could've been together in person to celebrate as a community, we are still so honored to receive this recognition during this new era of Virtual Awards Ceremonies. The Hart Vision Awards were presented through the California Charter School Association's Facebook page, full press release following the Media Advisory for the A-G Quality School Awards.
MEDIA ADVISORY
AIMS K-12 is One of the First Oakland Schools to be Honored with an A-G Quality School Award
What: Oakland's First Ever A-G Quality School Awards
Who: Presented by Families in Action for Quality Education and Energy Convertors, both Oakland based community organizations focused on the achievements of African-American and Latinx Students
When: April 22, 2020 at 4pm PT
Where: Facebook Live stream
Why: In the Oakland Unified School District, only 53.6% of 12th grade graduates met the A-G requirements for the 2018-2019 academic school year. Every year underserved student populations graduate ineligible to apply to UC's and CSU's.
How: For interviews or additional information please contact Suzen Chu. P:(510) 390-1624 suzen.chu@aimsk12.org
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NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzen Chu - (510) 390-1624, suzen.chu@aimsk12.org
2020 Hart Vision Awards Names AIMS K-12 College Prep
Top School of the Year
AIMS receives the honor for their proven academic excellence and setting high standards for Oakland students
OAKLAND, CA - April 21, 2020. AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District (AIMS) was presented with the Hart Vision Award for Top School of the Year in Northern California during a virtual ceremony. A huge recognition considering there are 1,306 charter schools operating across California according to the California Department of Education’s data for the 2018-2019 academic year. AIMS is breaking barriers for the approximately 1,300 students they serve from traditionally underserved and low-income Oakland neighborhoods.
The Hart Vision Awards ceremony was originally scheduled to be presented at the 27th Annual California Charter Schools Conference held by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). However, due to social distancing orders following COVID-19 concerns, the Hart Vision Awards ceremony was instead presented virtually through Facebook to give attendees the opportunity to celebrate and honor the award recipients.
The Hart Vision Awards were established in 1995 and named after retired California State Senator and former California Secretary of Education Gary K. Hart. Hart sponsored the legislation that established charter schools in California. The award categories included teacher, volunteer, and public officials of the year. The top award categories included School leader (North & South) and School of the year (North & South). AIMS K-12 College Prep took home the Hart Vision Award for School of the year in Northern California.“Our school of the year in Northern California is a diverse and consistently high performing school. Their high standards have allowed them to maintain an impressively high graduation rate. AIMS is a terrific example of a school that rose from the roots of the community to serve the people.” - Myrna Castrejon, President & CEO CCSA
AIMS K-12 College Prep is defying the odds and closing the achievement gap for traditionally underserved students of color from low-income families and neighborhoods. AIMS families have sought out alternatives to their traditional neighborhood schools in hopes that their students can access a high quality education for a better future. While serving a student population with 75% of families qualifying for free and reduced lunch, AIMS has proven that underserved students can compete academically with the best, when given adequate support and resources. AIMS has risen to become one of the top public schools in Oakland and the Bay Area, recognized by Innovate Public Schools as a Top Bay Area Public School for Underserved Students for 4 academic years. In 2018, AIMS was recognized by Innovate as the only middle school in the Bay Area that made significant strides in closing the achievement gap for low-income African American students in English and Math.
From their early roots as a middle school in 1996, formerly known as American Indian Model Schools, AIMS is Oakland’s second publicly-funded charter school and has a long-standing history of serving Oakland students. In the years since it first opened, it has expanded to a middle and high school and, by 2012, a complete K-12 school. Today, AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District serves low-income students with a success rate of 100% of graduates being accepted into 4-year colleges and universities. AIMS stands on a legacy of academic excellence, being the first Oakland Public school to be named a National Blue Ribbon school in 2006.
Superintendent Maya Woods-Cadiz, an Oakland native, former OUSD student, parent, and administrator with a 20+ year career in education states, “As with any successful family, we love, provide structure, and hold a standard and commitment to success. I thank the California Charter Schools Association for honoring us in this way. My heart overflows with joy and gratitude every day that I am blessed to do this work. As our mantra goes, ‘We are stronger together, and together we are #AIMStrong’. School choice allows us to do what we do, and our diverse population is better for it.”
AIMS K-12 College Prep cultivates a community of diverse learners who achieve academic excellence. Our commitment to high expectations, attendance, academic achievement, and character development results in our students being prepared for lifelong success. Learn more at aimsk12.org.