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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
scarr@unm.edu

August 16, 2007

AIMS@UNM Charter School Moves Into New UNM Home

AIMS@UNM, the unique charter school that launched two years ago, is once again undergoing another improvement as it prepares for the opening of the fall 2007 semester. Under the leadership of Principal Kathy Sandoval Snider, the school will dedicate its new building on the University of New Mexico Campus Friday Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. The school, located at 933 Bradbury SE, will open its doors to returning 10th and 11th graders and will also extend a welcome to its new sixth and ninth grade classes.

Last year at this time, with the arrival of Sandoval Snider at the school, the charter school changed its name from High Tech High, to the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science @UNM. The new name more accurately reflected its partnership with the University of New Mexico. Additionally, at that time, a $1.3 million appropriation from Gov. Bill Richardson toward a permanent facility for the school on UNM campus was announced. In recognition, a ribbon cutting and dedication of that facility will occur Friday.

Currently AIMS@UNM is the only high school, charter or otherwise, to be housed on the UNM campus. The school provides a rigorous mathematics and science curriculum to students, requiring all students to attend UNM concurrently during their junior year. The school currently enrolls grades 9-11 and will start a middle school component with sixth graders this fall. Students will be able to take college courses at UNM at no cost to the student, and receive both high school and college credit.

“We have accomplished an incredible amount in the past year” Sandoval Snider said. “This school is unique, because of its partnership with the University of New Mexico and its supportive relationship with the City of Albuquerque, particularly with Mayor Martin Chavez whose vision established the school two years ago. Students here have an incredible opportunity not found anywhere else in the state.

“Here, one can find a rigorous, one of a kind math and science curriculum which will prepare students to compete in the global economy, and at not cost to the student. Students here have the constant message and climate that a four-year degree is in their immediate future.”

Students attending the school must take two years of either Chinese or Japanese language, four years of mathematics and science. Additionally, students must enroll at UNM during their junior year. Upon graduation, students will exceed the graduation standards for the State of New Mexico, and have the potential of completing the equivalent of a full year of college.

“This school is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea,” said Sandoval Snider. “Students who attend AIMS are very motivated, very mature and have a very specific direction toward college.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the schools incoming sixth grade and ninth grade classes. There are limited spaces available in the 10th grade class as well .For more information on the school, go to www.aims-unm.org.

For more information contact Sandoval Snider at (505) 459-2860.

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The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

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