Message from President Benjamin Murray

Greetings from San Miguel!

Today marks the first day of classes at San Miguel! Our principal, teachers and staff have been working hard these past weeks to prepare the school and their lessons for the start of our 11th year. As we welcome a new sixth grade class, we remain focused on our mission of empowering youth to achieve their potential. The new First Generation Initiative at Saint Mary's University continues our Lasallian mission at the university level. Featured below is the story of one of our graduates who participated in this new program last month.

I invite you to visit San Miguel this fall, meet our new students and learn about the great learning that takes place each day on Pleasant Avenue. Thank you and God bless!

Benjamin Murray
President and Co-Founder

Graduates Attend Countdown to College at Saint Mary's University























Juanita, San Miguel Middle School Class of 2010, at Saint Mary's University

Three graduates from the class of 2010 spent two weeks of their summer vacation at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota attending Countdown to College, a college preparation experience. Juanita was one of 25 students selected from across the country to attend the camp and prepare for college success. Juanita said that her time at Saint Mary's University gave her "a taste of how college is going to be." The program included a mix of academic classes, sports, recreation, study halls, academic contests, movies, field trips and celebrations.

"Countdown to College is designed to ensure college success for first-generation students whose parents did not have the opportunity to go to college," said Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education for Saint Mary's University, who helped develop the program. The supportive programs of San Miguel Middle School and Saint Mary's University make the dreams of higher education possible. "My 19-year-old sister is starting college this fall, and my mom would also like to go back to school. It would mean a lot to my mom if I graduate from college someday," said Juanita.

Saint Mary's plans to welcome back the same students for four consecutive summers. Each year a new group of 9th graders will be selected to participate in the Countdown to College experience, resulting in a total of 100 students by the fourth summer. Countdown to College is part of Saint Mary's First-Generation Initiative, which is designed to offer academic and personal support to first-generation college students.

Also attending Countdown to College with Juanita were San Miguel classmates Jesús and Sergio, recipients of the 2010 Miguel Award.

Content provided by Jennifer Hellman, Goff & Howard

Read the Countdown to College Blog, view the slideshow, watch the local Fox news clip, and learn more about the First Generation Initiative.

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San Miguel Middle School
Empowering youth through a Lasallian education.