Milestones
Founded in 1996, AIMS K-12 began as a middle school (AIPCS) by Native American families looking to retain a cultural connection for their children. AIPCS was Oakland’s second publicly-funded charter school. In 2006, AIPCS became the first Oakland public charter school in Oakland to win recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. Later that year, AIPCS expanded to include a high school (AIPHS), and, in 2012, AIMS K-12 expanded to include an elementary school. As AIMS K-12 grew, the student body became increasingly diverse, and, in 2018, both our elementary and middle schools were recognized for nearly closing the achievement gap in African American students. To date, AIMS K-12 currently serves approximately 1300 students.
1996
FOUNDED
AIMS Middle School was Founded
as American Indian Public Charter School (AIPCS). It was a middle school with less than 100 students.
AIMS is the second public charter school in Oakland.
2006
RECOGNIZED
AIMS won the National Blue Ribbon Award.
The first public school in Oakland to win the Blue Ribbon Award.
2006
EXPANSION
American Indian Public High School (AIPHS) was founded.
2007
EXPANSION
A New K-8 school was founded, named American Indian Public Charter School II (AIPCS II). AIMS has become a K-12 school district.
2009
CLASS OF 2009
The first class of AIMS HS graduated. All 18 graduated seniors have been accepted to at least one 4-year college or university.
2012
RELOCATED
AIMS leased a new building at 171 12th Street in Oakland
2014
NEW LEADERSHIP
AIMS First Superintendent
2015
REBRANDED
AIMS Logos updated and organizational colors defined
2015-2016
REORGANIZED
Delineation of central office duties and separation of schools by grade band
Beginning of AIMS ELD, SpEd, social-emotional counseling, and College Bound Kids initiatives
2016
PROPERTY AQUISITION
AIMS bought 171 12th Street and leased 746 Grand Ave
746 Grand Ave houses grades 9-12
171 12th Street houses grades K-8
2018
FROM MODEL TO STANDARD
AIMS Model refined to meet the need of a growing and diverse students population
2018-2019
FACILITY REDESIGN
171 12th Street Campus and 746 Grand Ave campuses redesigned to meet the AIMS standard
2019
NAME CHANGE
American Indian Model Schools Board voted to change our names to be more inclusive of the population we serve.
AIMS K-12 COLLEGE PREP CHARTER DISTRICT
AIMS COLLEGE PREP ELEMENTARY (K-8)
AIMS COLLEGE PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL
AIMS COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
2019
FROM STEM TO STEAM
Visual and Performing Arts programs founded thanks to the City of Oakland’s Measure G-1 Grant
2020
COVID LEARNING
AIMS successfully transitions to online learning during California’s state mandated quarantine
2020
CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Recognized as Charter School of the Year (Northern California) by
California Charter Schools Association
2021-2022
25TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating our 25th Anniversary and looking forward to 25+ more years in service to our students and families