"Defying the Odds" for Students in Newburgh, NY

One of the main components of a San Miguel Academy of Newburgh middle school education is our Place and Project Based Learning (PBL2) model.  Weekly, our students go off-site to a learning center with partners in the Hudson Valley including Mohonk Preserve, Sprout Creek Farm, Constitution Marsh, and in the fall our eighth graders spend a week in Rhode Island at the Block Island Maritime Institute.  At these learning centers, our students are broadening their life experiences while strengthening their skills in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum..

At Mohonk Preserve, 6th - 8th graders study a variety of landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife. At Sprout Creek Farm, 5th graders engage in activities such as feeding and milking animals, monitoring the gestation of the farm animals, processing hay, planting garlic, making (and eating) bread, identifying flora, creek and pond exploration and food preservation. At Block Island Maritime Institute, 8th graders study marine ecology, zoology and vegetation.  Recently, Mohonk Preserve has added a Junior Ranger program for our 8th graders.

Through PBL2, the students build life experiences, producing students who can think critically, apply knowledge and modern day technology to better make decisions that benefit the environment and society. With PBL2, there is higher retention of materials as studetns make real life connections to in-class content. The hands-on, problem-solving method fosters collaboration, enhances curiostiy and the drive to learn.

Attached are recent pictures of our students at our off-site learning centers.

This fall, San Miguel Academy of Newburgh entered its tenth year of teaching underserved, at-risk children in one of the most violent cities in New York State. The success of the program is the changed lives of both of students and their families and those who work with them. At the Tenth Annual Dinner held in October, we honored founding member and trustee Gregory Kiernan. The tremendous support of families and friends of SMAN at the dinner was a sight to behold.  The keynote speaker for the evening was one of our eighth graders, who is the fourth and youngest child in his family to attend the school. His words exemplified the changes occurring due to the nurturing environment and strong education at SMAN. His oldest brother was already drifting into trouble by the end of fourth grade and his parents found San Miguel and put their hopes for their child in the hands of the newly formed school.  The youngest brother said that he grew up knowing he was going to go to SMAN and that college was his goal. Research shows that growing up thinking you are going to college is a strong indicator of success versus growing up thinking high school is your highest educational goal.  Our students see where they are headed because they now see where their predecessors are and the alumni come back to SMAN to talk to the younger students. Each year, alumni come back the day before Thanksgiving to talk to the current students and this year was no different. The younger children are "all ears" as the alumni tell them how to be open to change, set their own goals, and to make it through high school and college without getting derailed.

The major building blocks of the SMAN education are Place and Project Based Learning, the Step Up (after school) program, Summer Scholars Program, High School Placement and Graduate Support Program, College Access Program and the Child and Family Services Program.  Because the school is tuition-free, fundraising is a huge part of our daily mission. We have two fundraisers, including the Annual Dinner and a spring walk across the Beacon Bridge. The rest of the funds are from individuals, foundations and businesses. It is through the generosity of many that the lives of these children are transformed.  With your help, we can make it happen.

Thank you and we wish you all a happy holiday season.