Ann Arbor Learning Community
Encyclopedia
Ann Arbor Learning Community (AALC) is a K-8 public charter school authorized by Eastern Michigan University
. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan
, the school serves approximately 280 students. Enrollment is open to all K-8 students residing within the state of Michigan. Because AALC is part of the public school system, tuition is not charged to any student desiring to attend.
AALC first opened its doors in the fall of 1998. With small, multi-age classroom
s, AALC seeks to meet the individual needs of all students. The school currently has five Early Primary (K
-1) classrooms, four Primary (2-3) classrooms, three Intermediate (4-5) and three Middle School
(6-8) classrooms. Students also have music
, art
, and physical education
classes. Intermediate and Middle School students are given the opportunity to be a member of the instrumental music program.
School Mission
"The mission of Ann Arbor Learning Community is to nurture independent learners as they acquire the tools they need to shape an environmentally and socially responsible future. Furthermore, in a supportive, student-centered community that appreciates uniqueness, AALC helps students develop a strong sense of self and lifetime love of learning. The school fosters the development of essential life skills and core academic knowledge through small, multi-aged classrooms that honor the learning and creative strengths of each student."
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
, the school serves approximately 280 students. Enrollment is open to all K-8 students residing within the state of Michigan. Because AALC is part of the public school system, tuition is not charged to any student desiring to attend.
AALC first opened its doors in the fall of 1998. With small, multi-age classroom
Classroom
A classroom is a room in which teaching or learning activities can take place. Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, including public and private schools, corporations, and religious and humanitarian organizations...
s, AALC seeks to meet the individual needs of all students. The school currently has five Early Primary (K
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
-1) classrooms, four Primary (2-3) classrooms, three Intermediate (4-5) and three Middle School
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(6-8) classrooms. Students also have music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, and physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
classes. Intermediate and Middle School students are given the opportunity to be a member of the instrumental music program.
School Mission
"The mission of Ann Arbor Learning Community is to nurture independent learners as they acquire the tools they need to shape an environmentally and socially responsible future. Furthermore, in a supportive, student-centered community that appreciates uniqueness, AALC helps students develop a strong sense of self and lifetime love of learning. The school fosters the development of essential life skills and core academic knowledge through small, multi-aged classrooms that honor the learning and creative strengths of each student."