"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.