ST. LOUIS — St. Louis the King at the Cathedral School has only ten eighth grade students, but these students are focused on learning. As a result, all ten students have been accepted to some of the most coveted college preparatory high schools St. Louis has to offer, with nine out of the ten receiving scholarships to attend private institutions.

“Our kids understand that focused, hard work will get them to where they want to be in life,” said Donna Garcia, principal.

Supported by ACCESS Academies and the Archdiocese of St. Louis, St. Louis the King at the Cathedral School is a Catholic, K-8 school that serves 157 students. A unique feature of the school is the implementation of the NativityMiguel model of education in the eighth grade.

The NativityMiguel model of education extends the school day and the school year to ensure that the students are academically and emotionally prepared for their futures. This includes, tutoring, mentoring, service projects, character development, and setting goals that include high school, college and career planning.

“The NativityMiguel model of education enriches students by tracking the growth and achievements of students through high school and college,” said Garcia.

Jamarion Johnson, an eighth grade student who received an academic scholarship to Chaminade College Preparatory School where he will be taking courses in the fall, is a huge supporter of the NativityMiguel model of education and appreciates the support he has received from Ms. Joslyn Sandford, the school’s Director of Grad Support.

“She is always there for us. We work on homework, look at high schools, and plan our futures. It was eye-opening to see how many credits are needed, the general courses that are required, the cost of tuition, and the financial aid process one has to navigate when considering a college,” said Johnson.

Another component of the NativityMiguel program is developing and effectively executing a service project, and Jamarion Johnson is incredibly proud of the eighth grade’s Above and Beyond program which tutors first through fourth grade students every Wednesday.

“Originally, we developed the idea to tutor struggling students in the different subjects; however, we developed a great bond with them and now check up on them outside of the program. We are there if they need help, even if it is just to talk or take a walk. I think I will miss that the most,” said Johnson.

Because of the success of the NativityMiguel model of education, St. Louis the King School will be expanding the program to include all students in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades for the 2013-14 school year.

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97 Percent of ACCESS Academy Applicants Accepted to St. Louis College Prep High Schools

Urban Middle School Program Supporting More Than 300 students

in Middle School and High School

ST. LOUIS – The mission of ACCESS Academies to elevate the education of impoverished middle school children in St. Louis has achieved another milestone. A total of 38 ACCESS graduates applied to St. Louis college prep high schools with 97 percent earning letters of acceptance. Since its founding in 2005, the ACCESS program has propelled 96 percent of its graduates or more than 400 students to college prep high schools.

This year, ACCESS will graduate 42 students from middle school programs in three urban St. Louis Archdiocesan schools. They include Most Holy Trinity Academy at 1435 Mallinckrodt St. in North St. Louis, St. Cecilia Academy at 906 Eichelberger in South St. Louis, and St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral at 4430 Maryland Avenue in the Central West End.

“We’re extremely proud of our graduates who will form the high school class of 2017,” said Blake Youde, executive director of ACCESS. “Through their hard work, the dedication of their families and school staff, all of our graduates are well prepared to realize their full potential with a high school education. As we have done in the past, ACCESS will provide tuition scholarships to each student while in high school. Our graduate support directors will be working with students on obtaining financial aid and assisting in other ways to ensure a successful graduation from high school and acceptance to college.”

The ACCESS graduate support program assisted students through the competitive high school application process. Among the St. Louis college-prep high schools that sent letters of acceptance for the 2013-2014 school year to ACCESS graduates are:

More than 75 ACCESS graduates from high school have been accepted to college – an 80 percent success rate for all its college applicants. Most of them are the first generation in their family to have an opportunity to attend college.

Focusing on low-income students, ACCESS Academies makes a seven-year commitment to students beginning in the 6^th grade. Its rigorous academic program includes an extended school day, extended school year and a demanding curriculum. The ACCESS graduate support program provides tutoring, counseling and high school scholarships to ensure students complete high school and move on to college. Currently, more than 300 students are being supported by ACCESS Academies, including 189 graduates in high school and 115 students in middle school.

To date, ACCESS has served more than 560 students. Ninety-six percent of its graduates have been accepted to college-prep high schools and 92 percent have graduated on time. For more information, visit www.accessacademies.org.

ACCESS Academies fosters aspirations, cultivates inspiration and nurtures the academic success of economically and/or socially disadvantaged students in underrepresented neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis.

Click here for a printable PDF brochure.

Celebration Honors Tom Nolan for Eight Years of Service to ACCESS Academies in St. Louis and Raises $10,000 for the ACCESS Program

Nolan Retiring After 30 Years Devoted to Educating Disadvantaged Children

Tom Nolan (center), executive director of ACCESS Academies, with his wife Maureen Nolan (left) and Father Tim Cook (right), pastor of Saints Teresa & Bridget Parish, at the celebration on Nov. 8, 2012 that honored Nolan’s career educating economically disadvantaged students. He will retire as executive director of ACCESS at the end of this year.

ST. LOUIS – On Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, Keagan’s in Forest Park was enlivened with stories and salutes as friends and family honored Tom Nolan who is retiring after eight years of service to ACCESS Academies. Dubbed a “lively” Irish wake, it celebrated Nolan who has been a champion of educating disadvantage children for 30 years. The event also raised $10,000 for scholarships in the name of Nolan for the ACCESS program. Keagan’s is located at 5163 Clayton Road at the Highlands Golf Course.

Nolan has been executive director of ACCESS Academies since its founding and will retire at the end of this year, but will continue volunteering to help education and child-related issues. He has guided NativityMiguel middle school education programs in three St. Louis city schools: Most Holy Trinity Academy at 1435 Mallinckrodt St.; St. Cecilia Academy at 906 Eichelberger; and St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral at 4430 Maryland Ave. Under Nolan’s leadership, 96 percent of ACCESS graduates have been accepted to college prep schools, 92 percent have graduated on time from high school and 80 percent have gained acceptance to college. Most of the students served by ACCESS are from economically disadvantaged families living in poor urban neighborhoods.

Hosting the celebration was Joan and John Vatterott, founder of Vatterott College. Attorney Jim Holloran served as emcee. Terry Mehan of St. Cecilia Academy serenaded Nolan and the more than 50 well wishers with “Tommy Boy” sung to the tune of “Danny Boy.” Others saluting Nolan included Father Tim Cook, pastor of Saints Teresa & Bridget Parish; Marie Kenyon, managing attorney for Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry; retired attorney Dave Danis; Rich Patton, executive director of Vision for Children at Risk; and Nolan’s brother Jerry.

Fourth Annual St. Louis NativityMiguel Scholarship Fund Dinner Raises More Than $400,000 to Support More Than 300 Underprivileged Students

Fundraiser Honors Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and 100-plus 2012 Graduates

ST. LOUIS – More than 300 underprivileged St. Louis city students are receiving private high school tuition support thanks to the generosity of donors at the St. Louis NativityMiguel Scholarship Fund Dinner.  The June 6, 2012 event celebrated the more than 100 middle school students who graduated from NativityMiguel schools in 2012; raised more than $400,000 in high school tuition assistance to support graduates of all seven NativityMiguel schools; and honored Archbishop Robert J. Carlson for his efforts to improve Catholic education. More than 96 percent of NativityMiguel graduates attend college-prep high schools.

“NativityMiguel’s foundation of faith, disciplined study habits, parental engagement, and scholarship support have combined to allow its graduates to fully develop their God-given talents,” said Archbishop Carlson.  He also noted that the Nativity Miguel Scholarships provide an opportunity for students to experience a faith-based school that advances the Church’s mission of social justice through academic excellence.

The more than 100 middle school students who graduated from St. Louis NativityMiguel schools in 2012 were honored at the annual St. Louis NativityMiguel Scholarship Fund Dinner, which raised more than $400,000 for college prep high school tuition support.

Nearing the end of his third year as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, Archbishop Carlson has been a strong supporter of Catholic education, emphasizing the need to make quality education available for all students, regardless of religious affiliation. He has launched a new effort – the Mission Advancement Initiative – to improve Catholic schools, ensuring performance and stability. He was honored for his work on behalf of students from low-income families.

The event was a collaboration of ACCESS Academies, which supports three NativityMiguel schools – St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral, Most Holy Trinity Academy and St. Cecilia Academy – plus three independent NativityMiguel schools – De La Salle Middle School, Loyola Academy and Marian Middle School, along with 21 area college-prep high schools. The fundraiser also benefits graduates of the Academy at King of Glory Lutheran School, which closed in 2011 but still has graduates in high school.

“We are grateful to our donors,” said Tom Nolan, executive director of ACCESS Academies.  “With the cost of private, high school education increasing an estimated 4.5 percent this year, the need for tuition assistance is essential if students are to realize their full potential in one of our many fine college prep high schools.”

The NativityMiguel education model features a rigorous middle school academic program to prepare students for success in college-prep high schools. The model includes a 10-hour school day, a 10-1/2-month school year, mandatory parental involvement and a demanding

Funds raised at the event will bridge the gap between the cost of private, college-prep high schools and the tuition available from each student’s family, the financial aid provided by the 21 participating high schools, and the high school scholarships provided to each student by his or her NativityMiguel

St. Louis college-prep schools currently with NativityMiguel graduates are:

ACCESS engages the community in education’s role in prosperity in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.