Fifth Annual St. Louis NativityMiguel Scholarship Fund Dinner Honors Student Achievement and Donors

June 5, 2013 Event Supports More Than 300

Underprivileged Students Attending College-Prep High Schools

Underprivileged students committed to academic success will unite with their generous supporters at the fifth annual St. Louis NativityMiguel Scholarship Fund Dinner on June 5, 2013 to raise money for tuition assistance. Proceeds will be used to help pay college-prep high school tuition for more than 300 graduates of eight NativityMiguel schools.  More than 96 percent of NativityMiguel graduates attend college-prep high schools.  The event, from 6 p.m. to 9p.m. at the Chase Park Plaza, will also salute students and donors who raised $430,000 for scholarships last year.

“The most inspiring moment of the evening will be when this year’s 96 NativityMiguel middle school graduates march up on stage proudly wearing clothing emblazoned with the college-prep schools they will be attending,” said Blake Youde, executive director of ACCESS Academies, a not-for-profit organization that supports NativityMiguel education in St. Louis and organizes the fundraiser. “It is remarkable to see the reward of an education investment that helps bright students build a pathway out of poverty.”

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 curriculum. 

The fundraiser benefits the graduates of De La Salle Middle School, Loyola Academy, Marian Middle School, Most Holy Trinity Academy, St. Cecilia Academy, St. Louis the King at the Cathedral and two schools that have closed – Academy at King of Glory Lutheran School and Central Catholic Academy

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 27 participating high schools, and the high school scholarships provided to each student by his or her NativityMiguel school. 

Tickets are $250 per person ($2,000 for a table of eight) and can be obtained by contacting Youde at 314-898-0430 or blake.youde@accessacademies.org.