It uses a grant from the Qatar Foundation,[1] and it is one of the first Arabic language immersion schools in the United States.[1] The district planned to upgrade the heating and cooling systems, restrooms, lighting, and technology of the former Holden building.[6] On the opening day a group of about 30 protesters gathered around the school,[7] accusing it of being anti-American and hindering assimilation.[4] In May 2019 HISD announced that, effective fall 2019, AIMS will be located at the former High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Montrose.The school focused on Modern Standard Arabic after an HISD cross-functional team deemed that it should do so.