Aim high st. Louis 2018 annual report BETTER FUTURES BEGIN IN 6TH GRADE

Dear Friends, In all, 2018 gave us 467 reasons to be proud: 467 kids getting up early, voluntarily attending Aim High’s “summer school” with the results of expanding their vision of themselves and leveraging incredible learning opportunities on their path to educational and personal success. A few highlights: We launched a new partnership with University City, welcoming our first class of 40 Achievers from the district. After 18 months of research and planning, piloted The 9th Grade Academy – a focused redesign of our final year students’ program experience - intended to better support their successful transition to high school, providing more exposure to post-secondary and career opportunities and enhanced leadership development. Outdoor education took a more prominent role, combining science and exposure to outdoor classrooms through partnerships with The College School, Litzinger Ecology Center, Shaw Nature Reserve and the YMCA. Middle school is such a pivotal time in childhood, a time when young people are making critical decisions about who they are and what is ‘for them’…as well as what isn’t. We’re proud of our 467 young people, as young as 10 years old, who made the decision that education was for them, that hard work and dedicated persistence in reaching their goals was for them, that Aim High was for them. We thank you, too, for your belief and confidence in our 467 students, our mission and our ability together to change lives and create better outcomes for our whole community. In the words of our Program Director and alumnae, Imani Harris – thank you for being… …in this together,

Julie Angelica Executive Director ANNUAL REPORT CONTENT

AIM HIGH’S MISSION 3

ABOUT US 4

2018 IN REVIEW 5

INTRODUCTING OUTDOOR EDUCATION 6

THE 9TH GRADE ACADEMY 7

FINANCIALS 9

OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS 10

2018 LEADERSHIP 12 AIM HIGH’S MISSION Aim High empowers motivated middle school students from high- risk environments to strengthen their character, self-confidence, determination, and initiative through a challenging, engaging academic and personal enrichment program. ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE Aim high is a 4-year, year-round program that advances the academic and social emotional growth of middle school students with promising records of achievement within the greater St. Louis area. The foundation of the program is a 5-week summer session, with supplemental once a month Saturday sessions throughout the academic year.

ACADEMICS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL

Students receive 3 hours of academic Students participate in a daily advisory instruction in 4 core subjects during the period which teaches social and emotional 5-week summer program. development with self-awareness and relationship building skills.

ELECTIVES FIELD TRIPS

Elective classes are chosen by the students Field trips during the summer and on to explore hands-on an area of interest. Saturday sessions allow students to explore Elective classes range from strategy games cultural instutitions they might not otherwise to cooking. be able to experience. OUR OUTCOMES

OUR YEAR 2018 IN REVIEW

YOUR SUPPORT MADE IT POSSIBLE for Aim High to serve 467 students in 2018, our largest enrollment since our founding in 1991. We served students at three sites: John Burroughs, St. Louis Priory, and Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School. 2018 also brought a new partnership with University City School District, making them the fourth primary recruitment district. The year also focused on continued curriculum enhancements with the increase in outdoor education and launching the 9th Grade Academy.

84% 91% 86%

GAINED KNOWLEDGE WERE MOTIVATED IMPROVED BEHAVIOR

392 students who 425 students who Of respondin parents, attended Aim High attended Aim High 86% reported in 2018 showed in 2018 reported that improvement in knowledge gains in 2 being in Aim High behaviors such as or more core content motivated them to do leadership, initiative, areas. well in school. and responsibility INTRODUCING OUTDOOR EDUCATION Getting students outside

Aim High St. Louis’s outdoor education program that educates middle school students from predominately urban areas about the outdoors. Students learn about and explore natural resources, ecology, and life science through field trips to local nature reserves, ecology centers, conservation centers and creeks.

LABARQUE CREEK LITZSINGER ECOLOGY CENTER

EARTHDANCE FARMS LONE ELK PARK AIM HIGH’S 9TH GRADE ACADEMY

80 20% 4 9th grade increase in 9th joint 9th grade participants grade retention sessions

PREPARING FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND In 2018, Aim High launched the 9th Grade Academy providing a focus on leadership, high school transition preparedness, workforce preparedness, and social emotional development. After reviewing survey feedback and conducting focus groups, we determined the 9th grade curriculum could be enhanced to better meet student needs and interests prior to their first year in high school.

Curriclum enhancements included changing to a block schedule, providing for more in-depth course discussion and a focus on high school readiness. The program also included a focus on post-secondary education opportunities with an overnight trip to visit and tour both Missouri Science and Technology and State Technical College of Missouri. COLLEGE VISITS An overnight visit to explore future opportunities

MISSOURI UNIVERSITY STATE TECHNICAL AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN A OF SCIENCE AND COLLEGE OF MISSOURI DORMITORY TECHNOLOGY

State Tech is a 2-year The overnight college tours Missouri S&T is a 4-year community college helps our students learn public university where where students can earn about future opportunities many students study an Associate’s Degree and also give them a small engineering, business, by studying technical dose of life at college when science, and math. education. they stayed in a dorm!

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION At Aim High, we believe every individual is entitled to the opportunity to self-determined, lifelong success. For many of our students this may include pursuing post-secondary education. Part of our 9th Grade Academy is designed to teach students about their options after high school include 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, trade schools, and careers. Students in the 9th Grade Academy learn what they must 77% do in high school to succeed and be admitted to a post-secondary program. Teaching students of students who attend the expecations and requirements before they Aim High for 3-4 years begin high schools teaches them what they can go on to post-secondary aspire towards. education. OUR FINANCIALS

Revenues and Support 2018 2017

Gifts and grants $593,091 $825,716

Special Events $126,912 $81,917

Dividend and interest income $5,614 $4,958

Expenses

Program services $734,918 $735,288

General and administrative $73,569 $34,283

Fundraising $89,811 $112,368

Net Assets (Deficit) - Beginning of Year $314,125 $252,297

Net Assets (Deficit) - End of Year $186,379 $314,125

*The 2018 financial overview is a summary of the audit by RubinBrown, which represents the financial statements of Aim High St. Louis in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Certain amounts on the 2017 financial statements have been reclassified, where appropriate, to conform to the presentation used in the 2018 financial statements. . WE ARE GRATEFULFOR OUR GENEROUS DONORS The following reflects gifts donated between Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2018.

$25,000+ Margaret Mathews Jenks Jay and Holly Butka Lawrence and Ellen Moceri Thomas and Jacqueline Byrne E. Reuben and Gladys Flora Jeffrey and Ranjana Morgan Joe and Laurie Caro Grant Charitable Trust John and Anita O’Connell Steve and Laura Clark Mysun Charitable Foundation James and Helen O’Connor The Connexion Group St. Louis Mental Health Board Anthony and Eriko Pope Dave and Pam Copeland State of Missouri Saint Louis Abbey/Saint Louis William and Tricia Davies $10,000 - $24,999 Priory School Lynda Denker Sander Foundation Larry and Judy Deutsch Bank of America St. Louis Philanthropic Drew and Julie Dubray William and Judith Becker Organization Jim and Lisa Engelhard Berges Family Foundation Steward Family Foundation Tim Farquhar Centene Corporation Bradley and Heather Strahorn David and Sandy Gantt Emerson Charitable Trust The St. Louis Trust Company Graybar Electric Company Employee’s Community Fund of Wheaton Franciscan Sisters Gregg and Alyson Garland The Boeing Company Corporation Gus and Kelly Gast Express Scripts World Wide Technology James Guyol and Cathy Faris- Four Leaf Clover Foundation Guyol John Burroughs School $2,300 - $4,999 David and Angeline Hagee Knights of Columbus Council - The Antler Foundation Greg and Natalie Hartwig Council 11139 Nancy and Michael Avioli Jim and Kris Holmes Maritz Holdings, Inc. Stefan and Sarah Baiocchi John and Kathy Hungerford Jim and Pat McAtee Lisa Brubaker and Jim Viscardi Frank and Leanne Latuda Maurice Meslans Christner, Inc. Dan and Rebecca Leary Joey Murphy Commerce Bank Ned and Sally Lemkemeier Philpott Family Foundation Pat and Joan Esserman Ted and Joyce MacDonald Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott Jay and Audrey Feuerbacher Bart and Doss Margiotta Foundation Matthew and Stephanie Hosler Phyllis Maritz RubinBrown LLP Hunter Family Foundation Brendan McHugh Saigh Foundation Jim and Suzanne Johnson Robert and Lisa Merenda Norman J. Stupp Foundation Michael and Kelly Johnson George and Susie Meyer Taylor Family Foundation Lewis Rice Rick and Sue Meyer The Pettus Foundation Monsanto Company Monterubio & Herbosa Oral & The Trio Foundation of St. Louis Pfizer Foundation Matching Maxillofacial Surgery, PC University City School District Gifts Program Jim and Mary Moog Dewitt and Caroline Van Evera S.M. Wilson & Co. Mike and Terry Mulligan Foundation John and Anne Sauer James Murphy, Jr. Greg and Kelly Steinkamp Tom and Chandra Niemann $5,000 - $9,999 Chris and Shilpa Thornton John and Maureen Niemeyer Albrecht Family Foundation $1,000 - $2,499 Old Newsboys Fund for Blues for Kids Foundation Children Traian Andrei and Patricia Jason and Rebecca Cornatzer Gordon and Susie Philpott Sanchez de Andrei Frederick Pitzman Charitable Frank and Mary Rassieur Barry and Barbara Beracha Trust John and Lauren Rice DONOR ROLL CONTINUED

$1,000 - $2,499 CONTINUED $250 - $499 Tracy Bucholz Drucilla Caldwell Nancy Schnuck Diemer Anonymous Ken and Mary Clark Paul and Corky Schroeder Richard and Debbie Baldwin Beverly Clarkson Tom Scott The Bellwether Foundation Devra Coren Moehler Bruce and Lily Seymour Eric and Mary Bloomquist Michael Dee and Inda Schaene Tom and Alison Sheehan Richard and Kathy Bucholz Nathanial and Millicent Dohr Saint Louis Service Bureau Anne and DeWitte Cross Anna Doyle Jacob Sowers Carol MCCarthy Duhme Jean and Tom Drazen St. Louis Cardinals Cardinals Gonzalo and Anne Fernandez Jerry and Patty Dwyer Care Mark and Joan Guyol Jim and Kelly Edwards Staenberg Family Foundation Geoff and Amy Hartwig Charles and Patricia Erker Dan and Shanna Wiechel Ethan and Heather Johnson Roxanne Frank Joshua Yoselevsky David and Barbara Kantrovitz Thomas Frawley and Ann Lieb Kranson Industrices/ David and Paula Friedman $500 - $999 TricorBraun Michael and Cathy Garner Jim and Janet Angelica Kranzberg Family Charitable Jeff and Prue Gershman Julie Angelica Foundation Giveable Brian Byrne Justin Ladendorf and Caroline Paul and Susan Goldberg Anthony Clarkson Leritz Julie Goldstein Brian and Megan Clinton Pat and Susie Lawlor Adam and Elizabeth Goozh Barry and Kendra Cosey Christopher Lingle Diana Gray Donald and Susannah Danforth Jeanetten Martin Chery Green and David Brown Fredrik and Anette Engelhardt Melissa Mayaudon Emily Gries Charles and Amy Gascon Milford and Nancy Peabody Carol Grothe Jacqueline Graves Geoffrey Ratliff Mrs. Frank Guyol Tod and Stefanie Greenberg Charles and Marian Rice Labib and Marlene Haddad Ian and Tracey Guthrie Roman Catholic Foundation of Gary and Suzie Hartwig Virginia Heagney and Eastern Missouri Meg Haw Tobin James Tom and Melissa Ruwitch Kurt and Patty Held Roger and June Herman Sandberg Phoneix & Von Tameka Herrion Will and Holly James Gontard Charitable Foundation Lori Hicks Joan and Geroge Thomas Fund Keith and Marcia Shahan Curtis hopson Jim Kemp Mr. and Mrs. David J. Thiemann Roger Humphries Richard Kraner Charles and Nancy Van Dyke Jesse and Linda Hunter Craig and Andie LaBarge Daniel and Judy Wagner Seth Hurwitz Carmen Marchosky Jon and Sarah Igoe Peter and Nanci McCarthy $1 - $249 Ellen Nora Just Daniel and Thanda Meehan AmazonSmile Kathryn and George Love O’Connell Group, LLC Velma Bailey Charitable Fund Peter and Wendy Panagos Caroline Basore Ken and Mary Bower Charitable Schrader Funeral Homes and Vanessa Baughman Fund Crematory Bob and Kathy Becker Mark Kettler Joe and Maureen Schweppe Colleen Beuttenmuller Mike and Robin Kinman Glen and Shelley Smith McCormick Patrick and Lauri Koster Jim and Amy Studt Catherine Bollinger Joseph and Lynn Kuss Michael and Claire Todorovich Thomas and Cindy Bottini Joe and Paula Lampen John and Joan Vatterott Charles and Shirley Brown David and Annie Lazarus Roxann Brown Taylor AIM HIGH’S $1 - $249 CONTINUED 2018 LEADERSHIP Chris and Mary Kay Lofgren Tim Lumpkins Fred and Shade Magare board of directors leadership council Grace McKone President Members Tommy McKone Rebecca Cornatzer Andrew Abbott Scott and Alex McNett S.M. Wilson John Burroughs School Ruben and Lisa Mella Treasurer Pat Esserman Claire Meyners Katie Zahner Community Volunteer LeeTanya Miller Brown Smith Wallace Mike and Tish Murphy Rt. Rev. Thomas Frerking, O.S.B Ginger O’Brien Secretary St. Louis Abbey Stacy Ojascastro Lisa Mella Barb Palmer Consultant Ellen Moceri Heather Price Co-Founder Aim High St. Louis Shelby and Estie Pruett Members at large Paul and Judy Putzel Father Gregory Mohrman, Carol Randolph Jasmine Charmel Bohlen O.S.B. Derek and Emily Rapp Aim High Graduate and St. Louis Priory School Joe and Catherine Raybuck Parent David Molho Bill and Sharon Remis Holly Butka Graphic Designer Brenda Ringo Monsanto Mike and Robin Rivard Thomas Ruwitch Paul and Ann Ronzio Jackie Graves Market Volt Katherine Samuels Lewis Rice Dave and Nancy Suerhoff St. Louis Community David Hagee Foundation Commerce Bank Scott Stallman Dorthy Steward Linda Hunter CONTACT US Velma A. Stewart Community Volunteer Aim High St. Louis David and Kathey Taiclet 755 S. Price Road Jim Kemp Lauri Tanner U.S. Trust St. Louis, MO 63124 Patrick Thornton 314.432.9500 Kellen Townsend Justin Ladendorf www.aimhighstl.org Larry and Kathy Tychsen Lewis Rice Villa Duchesne & Oak Hill School Nancy Marshall Nancy Vogt Monsanto Andy Waggoner Ellen Wallace Ranjana Morgan Michael Weisman and Laurie Consultant Garland Kelly Steinkamp Mike and Carolyn Weiss Community Volunteer John and Sheila Welge Rachel Wilkins Steve and Lori Willibrand Katie Zahner