Founding Story

The founding story of San Miguel Middle School mirrors the stories of the families it serves: small and humble beginnings, dreams larger than life, and raw determination to make things happen.

In June of 1999, Brother Larry Schatz and Benjamin Murray received the approval of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest to move forward in establishing a small Lasallian middle school to serve the economically poor in Minneapolis. A task force was assembled to conduct the feasibility study, formulate the mission and determine the location of the new school. After a year of planning, a new school named San Miguel Middle School of Minneapolis was established along with a Lasallian community residence in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis. Two Christian Brothers and two full-time lay volunteers lived in community and served as the founding staff of the school along with a volunteer ELL specialist.

San Miguel Middle School of Minneapolis opened its doors in September of 2000. A team of volunteers helped the staff transform a modified warehouse space into a welcoming educational environment. The year began with four sixth graders and grew to eight.

In August 2001 San Miguel relocated across the street and down a block in the Catholic Charities Branch I building. This small community-based Lasallian school grew to 36 students in grades 6, 7 and 8 over the next two years and continued to be staffed mainly by full-time lay volunteers and Christian Brothers who lived in community in the neighborhood. On June 7, 2003, San Miguel Middle School celebrated the graduation of its first students.

San Miguel's final move occurred on July 22, 2003 and created a partnership with the Catholic Latino parish of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús to share the former Incarnation/Risen Christ school building at 3800 Pleasant Avenue South. Many San Miguel families are also part of the Sagrado Corazón community. San Miguel shares the operational costs of the building in lieu of rent.

Along with the move to its permanent location, San Miguel hired salaried licensed teachers and administrators who have the experience and training to provide the best education possible to students who have complex educational and social needs. The Graduate Support Program was also established in August 2003 to help San Miguel eighth graders find the high school that best meets their needs and provide support and advocacy throughout high school. The program also coordinates regular gatherings of the graduates, providing a continued sense of stability in their constantly changing lives.

San Miguel continues to network within the community to identify and connect with students who are struggling in their current school and have economic need. The enrollment will be limited to 60 students as this allows for the small class sizes and individualized assistance that are hallmarks of a San Miguel education.

The Mission Advancement Office continues to seek new partnerships and strengthen old ones to provide the financial resources for San Miguel's growth and success. The contributions of time and resources of many people has built San Miguel Middle School and helped it grow into the wonderful educational opportunity it is today.