CHICAGO, IL – San Miguel Schools Chicago, an organization that runs two independent Catholic middle schools on Chicago’s South and West sides, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since 1995, San Miguel has earned a reputation for helping students in some of Chicago’s most challenged communities overcome the threat of gangs, violence and unemployment and has enabled children to achieve success in high school and beyond. The year-long celebration will culminate with San Miguel Schools’ first annual fundraising event in April of 2005.

While the San Miguel Schools’ two congressional districts rank among the lowest in high school graduation rates in the United States, according to research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 87.5 percent of San Miguel alumni graduate high school. Further, 88 percent of San Miguel graduates who completed high school are currently enrolled in higher education.

Most students come to San Miguel below expected grade level. In order to get them back to the appropriate level, students are in school for 8½ hours per day (53 percent more than required by the state), and they attend school on a year-round calendar.

San Miguel is intentionally a small school that maintains a 9-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The curriculum reserves 80 minutes a day for reading in the classroom, and another 80 minutes for a customized math program. Additionally, the schools are private, and non-tuition driven. Only 2 percent of the schools’ income comes from tuition, with each family paying approximately $30 to $40 per month. Students are selected for enrollment based on financial need and academic underperformance at their local public school.

“San Miguel Schools are about the transformation of lives and neighborhoods," commented Brother Siderewicz. "These schools were born from a restlessness in the heart. What started off as a dream, with a staff of four, an 18-student classroom and a $50,000 pilot grant, has now become a beacon of hope in Chicago. “We currently have 240 students enrolled in our middle schools and graduate support program. We believe these kids belong in the finest high schools and universities in the country. They have the desire, the dedication, and the capability to do so. San Miguel’s role is to prevent them from getting distracted from their goals and to give them a framework to build on for their future. We look forward to another exciting 10 years!”

For more information about San Miguel Schools or about the 10th anniversary fundraising event in April of 2005, contact Adriana Rundle, director of public relations for San Miguel Schools, at 773-890-0233, ext. 105 or email her at adriana_rundle@yahoo.com. San Miguel Schools Chicago website is: www.sanmiguelchicago.org.