History of Amesbury Innovation High School

Amesbury Innovation High School (AIHS), formely Amesbury Academy Charter Public School, was founded in 2001 by a group of teachers and administrators who felt there was a need to provide an alternative to students who were not succeeding in a traditional high school setting. They created The Academy of Strategic Learning, a Horace Mann Charter School with a small learning environment (up to 55 students) based on individual student success, regardless of personal or academic struggles. In 2015, the charter was dropped and the school became an Innovation School. This allowed AIHS to continue to move in a positive direction and meet the needs of a more diverse group of learners. The school has both a strong academic program and therapeutic program that are integrated to create a safe and supportive learning space. AIHS accepts students from Amesbury, MA and Out Of District students on a tuition basis. Forty-five placements are also available.

To date, with the school's whole student approach, the AIHS administration and staff has over 200 graduates who self-proclaim they would not have graduated from high school if it were not for the school.  AIHS continues to stay at the forefront of alternative school research, including Social Emotional Learning curriculum integration and Restorative Practices, in order to continually enhance student learning and success. When students graduate from AIHS, they have a plan for their future, as well as a reliable resource to return to for support. Students, graduates, and families of AIHS continually express there sincere appreciation for the opportunities and support the school has provided.