American Indian Model (AIM) schools operate using an educational model developed by Dr. Ben Chavis. Guided by this model, Dr. Chavis took over as the principal of the American Indian Public Charter School (AIPCS) of Oakland in 2000. During his tenure, AIPCS went from a failing school on the brink of extinction to the top performing school in the county. Though Dr. Chavis has retired, others have carried on his work. The American Indian Public Charter School II and the American Indian Public High school now join AIPCS at the top of Oakland’s educational food chain. These schools have proven that AIM’s back-to-basics approach of discipline, structure, hard work, and high expectations are the keys to academic success.
