Academic Support

At the Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM), we are committed to ensuring that every student has access to the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support needed to thrive.

We recognize that students enter AIM with different strengths, experiences, learning profiles, and areas for growth. Our inclusive approach is designed to identify student needs early, provide targeted support, monitor progress, and adjust instruction and interventions based on individual student needs.

Consistent with AIM's EPIC Learning Model, we believe learning should be individualized while maintaining high expectations for every student.

A Multi-Tiered Approach to Student Support

AIM uses a multi-tiered system of supports to identify and respond to students who may need additional academic, behavioral, or social-emotional assistance.

Support begins with strong, differentiated instruction for all students. When students need additional assistance, AIM may provide increasingly targeted interventions based on student performance and progress.

Our student support process may include:

• Differentiated classroom instruction and accommodations

• Academic intervention and small-group instruction

• Progress monitoring and review of student data

• Student Support Team (SST) problem-solving

• Behavioral and social-emotional interventions

• Remedial Education Program (REP) services for eligible students

• Section 504 accommodations for eligible students

• Special education evaluation and services when appropriate

The goal is to provide students with the right level of support while maintaining access to AIM's rigorous, healthcare-focused educational program.

Student Support Team (SST)

AIM's Student Support Team (SST) provides a structured, collaborative process for addressing academic, behavioral, attendance, or other barriers that may interfere with a student's success.

The SST may include teachers, school leaders, intervention staff, specialists, counselors or student support personnel, and parents or guardians.

Through the SST process, the team identifies specific areas of concern, develops evidence-based interventions, monitors the student's response to those interventions, and determines appropriate next steps.

Parents and guardians are important partners in this process, and AIM values family input when developing strategies to support student success.

Remedial Education Program (REP)

AIM participates in Georgia's Remedial Education Program (REP) to provide additional instructional support for eligible students who need assistance developing the academic skills necessary for success in the general education curriculum.

REP services are designed to supplement, rather than replace, students' regular academic instruction.

Students may be identified for REP services based on applicable state eligibility criteria and multiple sources of academic information, which may include state and local assessments, classroom performance, diagnostic information, and other relevant student data.

REP support may include:

• Targeted small-group instruction

• Additional instruction in identified skill areas

• Individualized academic interventions

• Progress monitoring

• Additional opportunities to develop foundational skills

• Coordination between intervention and classroom teachers

AIM regularly reviews student progress to determine whether interventions should be continued, intensified, modified, or discontinued.

Our goal is not simply remediation. We want students to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully engage in AIM's rigorous academic and healthcare-focused learning experiences.

Section 504

Students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities may be eligible for protections and accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

When appropriate, AIM develops an individualized Section 504 Plan identifying the accommodations and supports necessary to provide the student with equal access to educational programs and activities.

Families who believe their child may require accommodations are encouraged to contact AIM's student support team.

Special Education Services

AIM provides special education and related services to eligible students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and applicable federal and Georgia requirements.

Students with disabilities are valued members of the AIM community and have access to the same rigorous academic program, healthcare experiences, enrichment opportunities, and school community as their peers, with individualized supports and services provided as required.

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

For students determined eligible for special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed by the student's IEP team.

The IEP identifies the student's unique educational needs and establishes measurable goals, accommodations, services, supports, and other provisions necessary for the student to make meaningful educational progress.

IEPs are developed collaboratively. Depending upon the student and circumstances, the team may include:

• Parents or guardians

• General education teachers

• Special education teachers

• School administrators

• Related service providers and specialists

• The student, when appropriate

• Other individuals with knowledge or expertise regarding the student

The IEP team regularly reviews student progress and revises the plan as appropriate.

Least Restrictive Environment

AIM is committed to educating students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) appropriate to their individual needs.

Whenever appropriate, students with disabilities learn alongside their nondisabled peers in general education classrooms and participate fully in the academic and extracurricular life of the school.

Services are individualized rather than determined solely by a student's disability or diagnosis. Some students may require accommodations or consultative support within the general education classroom, while others may require specialized instruction, related services, or additional support.

Placement and services are determined by the student's IEP team based on the student's individual needs.

Related Services

When required for a student to benefit from special education, an IEP may include related services such as speech-language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, or other appropriate supports.

The need for related services is determined individually through the special education evaluation and IEP process.

Personalized Support in a Small School Community

One of AIM's strengths is our intentionally personalized school model. Teachers and school leaders have opportunities to know students well, recognize changes in performance, and collaborate across disciplines to address student needs.

This personalized approach complements AIM's EPIC Learning Model: Experiential, Problem-Based, Individualized Pathways, and Competency-Based Learning.

Students who require additional support are still expected to engage in meaningful, challenging learning. Our goal is to provide the scaffolds and services students need to access rigorous instruction while progressively developing independence and confidence.

Continuous Progress Monitoring

Student support is an ongoing process rather than a single intervention or program.

AIM uses assessment data, classroom performance, teacher observations, intervention data, student work, and family input to evaluate student progress. Teams use this information to determine whether supports are working and make adjustments when necessary.

Whether a student receives classroom intervention, REP services, accommodations through a Section 504 Plan, or specialized instruction through an IEP, our goal remains the same: to help every AIM student grow, succeed, and prepare for future opportunities in healthcare, STEMM, college, career, and beyond.

Questions About Student Support

Families with questions about SST, REP, Section 504, special education services, or other student supports are encouraged to contact AIM.