Participating in sports brings greater responsibilities, so U. City student athletes are provided with a study hall after school called AIP.

“AIP stands for academic improvement program, and it is something each team has to go to to help keep our grades up,” said Noah Greenberg, freshman, who plays boys’ varsity soccer.

The AIP program is designed to give students a place to do their homework and ask for help if needed.

“I get a head start on work or do work that I didn’t finish in class,” said Anisa Reynolds, senior, who is on the varsity field hockey team.

The program is available after school Tuesdays through Fridays for students.

“AIP is about an hour long,” said Caleb Herndon, senior varsity football player. “It feels like a good amount of time.”
Freshmen constitute the majority of the population in AIP because the transition from middle school to high school academics and athletics create the biggest challenge.

“I’m in AIP because I am a freshman and am required to go,” said Julian Albright, freshman, who runs junior varsity cross country.
The majority of students are successful in AIP, allowing the program to be effective towards improving their education.

“I’m more motivated to do my homework in AIP than at home,” said Albright.

According to students like Reynolds, AIP is a positive benefit for students.

“We should keep AIP because it helps students balance their grades and sports,” said Reynolds.

Peggy Halter, English teacher, is in charge of AIP since April Pezzolla left last school year and thinks AIP is a good program.

“AIP shows that we value academics, that it should come first before practice or games but also because of the timing of it,” said Halter.

AIP starts right after school so students won’t miss any practice time or have any homework to do at home.

“AIP provides that one hour of time that the student athlete can count on,” said Halter. “That is an hour every day to work on studies when they are fresh, alert and awake. You get out of it of what you put into it.”