In the spring of 2007, the Board of Directors voted to proceed toward the adoption of the NativityMiguel School Model.

The significance of this type of school is that it provides an extended school day, a Saturday program, and a summer school program for grades 6-8. In addition, each grade will have small class sizes, with less than 20 children in each class to facilitate more individualized instruction. This year, the school added an enrichment program to the afternoon schedule, which is a key component to the Academy.

Another significant factor is that the parents are required to be active participants in the student's educational experience, and a contract is signed by each family agreeing to those terms. Nationally, this model has proven to significantly increase academic achievement, high school graduation rates (90%), and college placement for children who are at-risk.

The intention at St. Patrick is to have an "embedded" NativityMiguel School , which means that the school will remain K-8 with grades 6-8 being a NativityMiguel School embedded within the existing school.

Next year, St. Patrick will add an 8th grade class. By 2010, our 100th anniversary, we hope to be accepted into the National NativityMiguel Network. Until that time, we will be applying the 9 standards of the Network to our programs. The NativityMiguel Network recognizes St. Patrick as a school officially recognized in Feasibility Study mode.

Under the model, the school's involvement with the the students does not end at 8 th grade graduation. During the student's last year at St. Patrick, a graduate advisor will work with each child and his/her family to identify which schools in the community are options, both financially and academically. The tuition needs will be met through a partnership between the high schools, the parents, St. Patricks, and possibly a corporate or individual sponsor. The majority of students in the NativityMiguel Model stay in a private school setting throughout their high school career and 75-80% graduate from some form of post-secondary education.

Throughout the student's high school career, the graduate advisor will be working with the student and his/her family to ensure the student is succeeding academically and socially. Enrolling in a private high school can be a significant transition for each family, and the goal is to ensure a successful high school experience. During the last years of high school, the graduate advisor will again work with the student and his/her family to identify post-secondary options and work through that application and enrollment process.

A fact sheet about the Academy and NativityMiguel schools

Visit the NativityMiguel Schools Web Site