Who We Serve

Aim High targets and recruits students who benefit the most from our programs – those who live in underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco, Oakland and East Palo Alto, attend underperforming schools, live in low-income households, and have limited access to educational opportunities. Aim High operates summer school campuses in some of the most impoverished Bay Area neighborhoods. Jim Dierke, the principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School, one of the main feeder schools of Aim High, made the following comment: "For the students in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood, Aim High is a college-oriented, engaging and challenging summer program that they would not have access to if not for this program. It is a life raft during the summer months for kids in our community."

In 2007, Aim High served 951 students in total at eleven campuses; 97% students of color, 89% attend public schools, 69% speak a language other than English at home. The median household income was $24,700 with an average income is $36,100. Although Aim High served 951 youth, the organization turned away over 125 middle students who fit our profile. Clearly, there is a need and demand for our program. Parents and caregivers are looking for community-based academic programs to engage and inspire their children in safe environments with positive role models.

2007 Aim High Student Demographic Information:

• Grade 8 Returns 73%
• 3 Year Grads 78%


• Public School 89%
• Parochial School 6%
• Independent School 3%


• Average Income $35,457
• Median Income $26,778