America Online Announces 2004-2005 AOL Aspires Grant Winners; Eleven Washington, D.C.-Area Schools Receive Grants of Up to $10,000 Each to Implement Programs Raising Aspirations Among Youth

Business Wire, Sept 29, 2004

DULLES, Va. -- America Online, Inc.

--Program Expands This Year to Benefit Schools in Three Additional AOL Cities

--Twenty Existing AOL Aspires Schools Receive Renewal Grants, Bringing Total Program Grants to More Than a Half Million Dollars

Literacy and mentoring programs, media and technology advancement, career counseling, ethics seminars and character-building initiatives are among the innovative approaches to realizing the dreams of youth that will be supported by the third annual AOL Aspirations Fund grants, announced today by America Online, Inc.

AOL, the world's leading interactive services company, awarded grants of up to $10,000 each to 11 middle schools and high schools from Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland to implement 2004-2005 school-based programs designed to nurture the life goals and aspirations of youth. For the first time, the AOL Aspires program expanded to award grants in three additional cities where AOL offices are located. Selected schools in Albuquerque, Columbus, and Jacksonville were also awarded $10,000 each to fund their proposed school-based programs, bringing to 14 the total number of new AOL Aspires grantee schools.

The grants provide flexible resources that empower educators in their quest to help raise students' aspirations. The types of efforts supported by the grants include student-led media projects, college awareness activities, intergenerational programs, diversity training, leadership development and restructuring of school efforts to actively engage students in the learning process.

In addition to this year's grants for new initiatives, AOL also awarded renewal grants to 20 existing AOL Aspires schools to continue the success of efforts they initiated with their initial grant award. Grant winning schools are eligible for partial renewal grants for two years after being selected as an AOL Aspires school. To date AOL has awarded more than a half-million dollars in grants to local schools.

"The AOL Aspires program, in its third year, continues to create opportunity and encourage students to chart a course to realizing their potential," said Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO of America Online, Inc. "The AOL Aspires program is the core of America Online's philanthropic efforts to recognize and promote leadership among educators who encourage youth to aspire and achieve in both their academic and personal lives. We have seen the evolution of the initial grant programs and are excited and optimistic about the future of these AOL Aspires initiatives."

Public schools from the greater DC-metro area, Albuquerque, Columbus, and Jacksonville were eligible to apply for the AOL Aspires grants. The schools were asked to submit proposals outlining programs they would offer to help their students establish and achieve their academic and personal aspirations. Proposals from the schools were then reviewed by a committee of AOL employee volunteers who, in turn, visited each school and made grant recommendations.

AOL Aspirations Fund 2004-2005 Grant Recipients:

Dominion High School - Loudoun County, VA

The AOL Aspirations Fund will enable Dominion High School to expand its after-school program for English as a Second Language (ESL) students from one day to two days per week. Students in the program will also earn points toward the purchase of Palm Pilots, and faculty will receive training to help them work more effectively with students. The goals of this program are to narrow the achievement gap and the technology gap and to increase parent participation.

Heritage High School - Loudoun County, VA

With its AOL Aspirations grant, Heritage High School will help language minority students to achieve success in high school and prepare for life after high school. The school's International Study Group Scholarship Program meets four days per week after school. Students who attend and meet the program's qualifications will receive a $500 scholarship for their post-secondary education. Faculty feels that building a sense of belonging and connection to their high school and community will encourage Limited English Proficiency students to see beyond the day-to-day aspects of school. The goal is to help these students improve their grades and receive scholarships so they can take advantage of educational opportunities offered in the United States.

Seneca Ridge Middle School - Loudoun County, VA

With its AOL Aspirations grant, Seneca Ridge Middle School plans to eliminate cost as a barrier for students who want to participate in the band program. Through Project High Note, the school will purchase musical instruments and equipment, help with necessary repairs and upkeep of instruments, offer assistance with the cost of uniforms for band members, and provide after-school tutorial sessions provided by local music specialists for about 50 students with financial need. By removing some of these prohibitive costs, school staff hope to maximize student participation, enable more students to participate, and help students to develop self-confidence and self-discipline through involvement with the band.