Step-Up After School Enrichment Program

The Step-Up After School Enrichment Program is an essential part of the day at San Miguel Academy.  Held each week, Monday through Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on scheduled Saturday mornings,Step-Up offers the boys an opportunity to improve their academic performance, to compete in sports and to expand their interests through club membership and participation. Step-Up embraces the research that points unanimously to the need for at-risk youth to have a safe and nurturing environment during out-of-school time. While Step-Up is not mandatory, the school enjoys a 100% student participation rate. 

Academics:

San Miguel Academy has partnered with its neighbor, Mount Saint Mary College, to both advance the academic performance of San Miguel students and to introduce the Mount’s graduate students to a real life “urban classroom.” Every Monday, San Miguel opens its doors to the Mount’s professors of education and their graduate students. The graduate students meet individually with a San Miguel student for one-on-one tutoring in math, ELA or any other subject where there is an identified weakness. The graduate students assess the boys’ skills and learn more about the effectiveness of certain teaching methodologies they have practiced. Similar arrangements for this collaborative classroom are being expanded to Wednesdays and Saturdays in the upcoming semester. On any given day during the week, students also have access to their own teachers at San Miguel Academy for help in a particular subject area.

ISEE Preparatory Classes:

All eighth grade students at San Miguel Academy take the Princeton Review classes for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination.) Classes are held at the school on six consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The ISEE is a requirement for admission into an independent day school and/or boarding school.

Athletics:

San Miguel Academy currently has two organized sports programs:

• Soccer – Fall Season
• Basketball – Winter Season

Both the soccer team and basketball team practice three days per week and compete against independent and private schools. The soccer season runs from September through early November; the basketball season from November through February. Additional sports teams will be added as field space and athletic facilities become available. In the meantime, students learn the benefits of teamwork, sportsmanship and good physical conditioning.

Clubs:

In addition to sports, San Miguel students have seven clubs from which to choose from for their after school activity. The clubs provide the boys an opportunity to focus on an area of interest in a fun and supportive environment. The club options include:

• Book Club - The book club is for students who are enthusiastic readers and are looking to expand their love of reading beyond the classroom. Books are selected by a group leader, who also plans the discussion points for the Saturday morning meetings.
  
  
• Fitness Club - The fitness club helps to develop students who demonstrate athletic prowess in soccer, basketball and baseball.  Using the training facilities at Mount Saint Mary College, students work with a professional trainer to do age appropriate physical training and exercise in- between seasons. 
  
  
• Media Club - The media club allows students to investigate and report on topics of interest ranging from sports and academics, to events at San Miguel Academy, and to current world events. The Eagle Hour television show is produced and directed at San Miguel Academy by the members of the media club. View the Media Club’s latest productions »
  
  
• Photography Club - Four days a week, students are instructed in the art of photography.  Tutorials range from the basics of film, optics, cameras, and light web page layout and digital photography.  At the end of the semester, students assemble a portfolio of their free film and digital photographs.
  
  
• Rowing Club - In conjunction with the Newburgh Rowing Club, students are instructed in the safety and activity of the sport of rowing.  The club offers year-round programs that teach the fundamentals of rowing both on water and indoors during the winter season.  Our expectation is that this club will evolve into a competitive interscholastic team.
  
  
• Student Council - Student Council enables the students to create and carry out projects that they have identified as important to the school and or to the larger community. Membership includes the 8th grade class president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Each successive grade elects a class representative to attend the weekly meetings.
  
  
• Yearbook Club - The club is responsible for the annual production of the yearbook.  Working with a teacher, students learn about design, layout, and publishing techniques.  The Yearbook Club will collaborate with the Photo Club when necessary to ensure a quality product.