San Miguel School | Camden, New Jersey
San Miguel School Camden Mission Statement:
The San Miguel School of Camden is an independent Catholic middle school in the Lasallian tradition for young men whose educational needs would best be served in an alternative school structure. As a Gospel centered school, the dignity and giftedness of each student is recognized and nurtured within a supportive community of teachers and parents. Through an innovative structure, the school's programs will empower students to become successful and responsible learners able to become active participants in their communities and society.
In a recent listing, all the public middle schools in Camden were listed as "failing" for the third consecutive year. Several are identified as among the most violent in New Jersey. Families have the choice of attending a better public school but none are available and parents with limited incomes are unable to afford the few existing parish schools.
For eight years, the San Miguel School has provided that choice for a number of families. By providing a safe learning environment, it attempts to meet the diverse needs of its students. Almost all students who enter San Miguel are several years behind in their skills. Through its small class size with a teacher and an assistant in each class, special groupings and a caring environment, the students make significant progress. Many improve a year or more in skills each year and, as their confidence grows, a whole new world of possibilities opens for them. In addition to classroom work, a strong program of field trips enhances learning. Visits several times a year to an art gallery, attendance at music concerts, plays and musicals, visits to local museums and an artist-in-residence program offer experiences that develop the affective side of learning.
To help the students deal with the complex issues and situations many face, an extensive program of support services offers assistance with both personal and academic problems. The school counselor meets with each student regularly and helps with adjustment to the school, works on short-term and long-term goals and assists with the high school decision process. Assistance to families in working with the developmental needs of their sons and obtaining necessary social services to deal with family needs is provided by a familybased social worker. Students with special needs, academic deficiencies or speech problems receive help from supplementary education teachers provided from the State.
The school reached a milestone with the graduation of its first group of students from high school. Several of the graduates are now in both four-year and community colleges, a possibility far from many of their minds when they first entered San Miguel. As one of the 8th grade graduates said in June, "I would like to thank everyone for being there and believing that I can aim high". edit.
The San Miguel School of Camden is an independent Catholic middle school in the Lasallian tradition for young men whose educational needs would best be served in an alternative school structure. As a Gospel centered school, the dignity and giftedness of each student is recognized and nurtured within a supportive community of teachers and parents. Through an innovative structure, the school's programs will empower students to become successful and responsible learners able to become active participants in their communities and society.
In a recent listing, all the public middle schools in Camden were listed as "failing" for the third consecutive year. Several are identified as among the most violent in New Jersey. Families have the choice of attending a better public school but none are available and parents with limited incomes are unable to afford the few existing parish schools.
For eight years, the San Miguel School has provided that choice for a number of families. By providing a safe learning environment, it attempts to meet the diverse needs of its students. Almost all students who enter San Miguel are several years behind in their skills. Through its small class size with a teacher and an assistant in each class, special groupings and a caring environment, the students make significant progress. Many improve a year or more in skills each year and, as their confidence grows, a whole new world of possibilities opens for them. In addition to classroom work, a strong program of field trips enhances learning. Visits several times a year to an art gallery, attendance at music concerts, plays and musicals, visits to local museums and an artist-in-residence program offer experiences that develop the affective side of learning.
To help the students deal with the complex issues and situations many face, an extensive program of support services offers assistance with both personal and academic problems. The school counselor meets with each student regularly and helps with adjustment to the school, works on short-term and long-term goals and assists with the high school decision process. Assistance to families in working with the developmental needs of their sons and obtaining necessary social services to deal with family needs is provided by a familybased social worker. Students with special needs, academic deficiencies or speech problems receive help from supplementary education teachers provided from the State.
The school reached a milestone with the graduation of its first group of students from high school. Several of the graduates are now in both four-year and community colleges, a possibility far from many of their minds when they first entered San Miguel. As one of the 8th grade graduates said in June, "I would like to thank everyone for being there and believing that I can aim high". edit.
