Scholarship Fund Dinner Raises $400K

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.

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: