KIPP DC - AIM Academy PCS

At a Glance

KIPP DC – AIM Academy PCS is a public charter middle school serving students in grades 5 through 8. It sits on the Douglass Campus at 2600 Douglass Road SE in the Hillsdale neighborhood of Ward 8, part of the larger KIPP DC network of charter schools operating across the District.

As a charter middle school, AIM Academy is open to any DC resident family at no cost, with seats filled through the city's common lottery. The school focuses on the middle grades specifically, meaning families are choosing it as a bridge between elementary school and high school rather than as a long-term K–12 placement.

What Parents Should Know

A few practical points for families considering AIM Academy:

• Admissions are by lottery. Like all DC public charter schools, AIM Academy enrolls students through the My School DC common lottery. There is no tuition, no entrance exam, and no boundary requirement — any DC resident family can apply.
• It's a middle-school-only program. The grade span is 5–8, so families should plan for two transitions: into AIM in 5th grade (or whenever a seat opens) and out to a high school after 8th grade.
• There is a built-in high school pathway. According to the school, students who complete 8th grade at AIM are automatically admitted to KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory, with the option to attend KIPP DC College Preparatory instead. Families can still apply elsewhere through the high school lottery if they prefer.
• Location matters. The Douglass Campus is in Ward 8, east of the Anacostia River. Families should think through bus routes, Metro access, and KIPP DC's own transportation logistics when weighing the commute.
• It's part of a network. AIM Academy operates within KIPP DC, which means shared expectations, staffing structures, and resources across multiple campuses rather than a standalone school culture.

Programs and Approach

AIM Academy describes its work in middle-school terms: building the foundational academic skills and habits students need for high school, with a stated emphasis on academic excellence, college readiness, effective teachers, and a safe, welcoming environment. The school frames the middle grades as preparation for "rigorous and joyful" high schools, signaling both the academic push and the community focus typical of KIPP campuses.

Beyond the core academic day, AIM lists partnerships and enrichment activities including DC SCORES, a Georgetown MedStar partnership, a music production club (BPM), the Capitol Movement dance program, and After School All Stars. Families interested in any specific offering should confirm directly with the school, since after-school activities and partnerships can change year to year.

Enrollment for AIM Academy, like every DC charter, runs through My School DC (myschooldc.org). The lottery opens in the winter, with results released in the spring. Families with students already enrolled at a KIPP DC elementary school should ask about any internal promotion or preference policies that may apply.

Visiting and Contact

KIPP DC – AIM Academy PCS is located at 2600 Douglass Road SE, Washington, DC, in the Hillsdale section of Ward 8. The main phone number is 202-678-5477.

For tour schedules, open house dates, current staff contacts, and the most up-to-date program information, visit the school's website at kippdc.org/aimacademy.