What they call their work
What they do
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College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- 12-year educational program from 5th grade through college and career readinessOperates a continuous 12-year educational program that supports students starting in 5th grade through college and career readiness, providing a structured pathway to break the cycle of poverty. The program serves over 250 students and their families in Newburgh, NY, with a 100% scholarship-funded model.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- After-school and summer STEAM enrichment programsProvides after-school and summer STEAM-focused learning opportunities, including robotics, coding, fabrication, CAD, laser cutting, 3D printing, and circuitry literacy. These programs offer one-on-one teacher support to address academic gaps and develop career readiness skills in emerging technology fields.
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Aviation-Integrated STEM Education 1 activity
- Aviation studies and flight simulation programOffers every middle school student a 12-week aviation training experience using flight simulators and instruction from retired commercial pilots through the Steve Beck Aeronautical Science Center, established in 2022. The program is part of the school’s broader STEAM and career readiness initiatives.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Experiential learning partnerships with cultural and environmental institutionsFacilitates experiential learning through partnerships with Storm King Art Center, Hudson Highlands Nature Center, and Stony Kill Farm. Activities include biweekly farm visits for 5th graders, annual habitat studies for middle schoolers, and a two-week summer camp at Storm King focused on micro-environments, integrating art and science into real-world contexts.
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Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
- Free meals for students through federal Child Nutrition ProgramProvides free daily meals to all students through the federal Child Nutrition Program, ensuring access to nutritious food during the school year and summer months as part of its year-round educational support model.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Graduate Success Program for alumni supportOperates a Graduate Success Program that provides comprehensive after-school and summer support to alumni, including tutoring, mentoring, test preparation, financial assistance (up to $5,000), internship placement, career counseling, and emotional wellness support to ensure success through high school, college, and career placement.
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School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
- Psychological and emergency support services for students and familiesOperates a center that provides psychological counseling and emergency services to students and their families, supporting holistic well-being and stability as part of its comprehensive educational model.
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Youth and Adult Rowing Programs 1 activity
- Rowing program integrated into school curriculum and summer programOperates a nationally recognized rowing program that is integrated into both the academic year and Summer Scholars Program. Over 40 students participate in year-round training on ergometers and the Hudson River, with competitive achievements including national championship placements. The program connects students to opportunities at secondary and post-secondary institutions.
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Museum-Based Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Specialized enrichment seminars and professional engagementOffers specialized enrichment opportunities such as a photography seminar for 5th graders using the Malcolm Pray automobile collection, author engagements like discussions of The First Black Autos with Henry May, and motivational presentations such as "An Evening of Grit" led by retired U.S. Army Major Tom Deierlien for 8th-grade students.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Summer Scholars Program for academic and holistic developmentRuns a six-week Summer Scholars Program that extends the academic year to support the academic and holistic development of underserved youth. The program includes intensive tutoring in math and reading, daily nutritious meals, and integrates a nationally recognized rowing program that serves 100% of students. Evidence shows students maintain or improve reading levels through participation.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Year-round middle school program with project-based STEAM curriculumOperates a 5th–8th grade middle school program focused on closing academic gaps and building foundations in STEM and career readiness through a project- and place-based learning model. The curriculum integrates hands-on, cross-curricular projects in the STEAM framework, supported by the Sister Agnes Boyle STEAM Learning Center launched in 2022.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REV MARK CONNELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $78K |
- ANN MARA CACASE — TRUSTEE
- BRANDAN MCCARTHY — TRUSTEE
- CARMEN VAZQUEZTELL — TRUSTEE
- CHRIS SCIAFANI — TRUSTEE
- DONATO GIUSEPPI III — CHAIRMAN
- GUSTAVE J SCACCO — TRUSTEE
- JAMES BOPP — TRUSTEE
- JUAN PANETO — TREASURER
- JULIE PIPOLO — TRUSTEE
- LINDSAY MATTHEWS — TRUSTEE
- MARVIN GARCIA — TRUSTEE
- NICK PREDDICE — TRUSTEE
- PEGGY BRADY-AMOON — TRUSTEE
- THEODORE WACHTELL — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS CRISPI — TRUSTEE
- VANESSA LEWIS — TRUSTEE
Who they work with
- A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund Partner — Partner organization that provided two Hudson doubles and a fleet of ergometers for San Miguel Rowing and supports the program’s competitive development.
- Ann T. Mara Funder — Funder of the Child and Family Services center
- Classy Partner — Hosts fundraising campaigns for the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, supporting San Miguel Academy's programs.
- Divine Sparks Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Dutchess Community College Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Francisco Fernandez Partner — Collaborated with students to create the mural "Harmony" at the school.
- Global Schoolwear Partner — Partner for school uniforms through a dedicated webpage link.
- Head Of The Charles Regatta / Philadelphia Gold Cup Foundation Partner — Organizational partner supporting the San Miguel Rowing program.
- Henry Garcia '11 Partner — Graduate of the program serving on the Board of Trustees.
- Hudson Highlands Nature Center Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Hudson Highlands Nature Center Partner — Hosts 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students for experiential learning about habitats and wildlife during the school year.
- Hudson Highlands Nature Center Partner — Learning partner supporting San Miguel Academy's educational programming.
- Jaime Ruiz '21 Partner — Alumnus serving in the front office.
- Joshua Cervantes '21 Partner — Graduate of the program working in the front office.
- Lands' End Partner — Partner for school uniforms through a dedicated back-to-school webpage link.
- Malcolm Pray Achievement Center Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Malcolm Pray Achievement Center Partner — Learning partner supporting San Miguel Academy's educational programming.
- Malcolm Pray Achievement Center Partner — Partners on programs related to entrepreneurship, innovation, and photography using its automobile collection, and hosts student visits for specialized seminars and presentations.
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools Government — Accrediting body that granted San Miguel Academy its Certificate of Accreditation in 2019.
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools Government — Accrediting body for San Miguel Academy of Newburgh.
- Nayib Portillo '14 Partner — Alumnus employed as Director of Financial Aid and involved in the Graduate Success Program.
- New York Giants Foundation Partner — Organizational partner supporting the San Miguel Rowing program through funding and resources.
- Orange County Rowing Association Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Pace University Blue CoLab Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Pepsico & BrainCo Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- Rabbi Erwin Zimet Memorial Institute Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- RedTail Flight Academy Partner — Partner organization collaborating on aviation studies; students have participated in Tuskegee Airmen-sponsored pilot program at Stewart International Airport.
- SUNY Dutchess Partner — Partner institution offering a strong aviation curriculum; collaborates with San Miguel Academy to support student exploration of aviation careers.
- Saint Philip’s Church Partner — Education partner supporting whole-child interventions for underserved students in Newburgh.
- San Miguel Rowing Program Partner — Integrated into the Summer Scholars Program as a key component, providing physical activity and character development for students.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Athletics as a vehicle for character and opportunity developmentmethodology: athletics_as_pathwayBy using rowing and other athletic participation to instill discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, the organization builds character traits that transfer to academic and life success, because structured, long-term athletic engagement provides a non-academic context where resilience and commitment are concretely practiced and reinforced.
- Individualized, experiential learning to deepen engagement and masterymethodology: differentiated_instructionBy tailoring instruction to individual student needs and embedding learning in real-world, project-based contexts, the organization increases retention and motivation, because students grasp and retain academic content more effectively when it is personally relevant and adapted to their developmental level.
- Long-term student and family accompaniment to break the cycle of povertymethodology: long-term_student_accompanimentBy providing continuous support to students and their families over a 12-year period—from middle school through high school and into post-secondary planning—the organization aims to transform long-term life outcomes and break the cycle of poverty, because sustained engagement builds resilience, accountability, and access to opportunity that short-term interventions cannot.
- Scholarship-driven access to eliminate systemic barriersmethodology: scholarship-driven_enrollmentBy offering a fully scholarship-driven enrollment model, the organization ensures that low-income students can access high-quality education regardless of financial capacity, because removing economic barriers is a necessary first step to achieving equity in educational opportunity and long-term outcomes.
- Whole-child, wraparound model integrating academics, character, and family supportmethodology: whole_child_developmentBy addressing academic, social-emotional, physical, and familial needs through an integrated approach, the organization enables holistic student development, because student success is constrained not just by cognitive gaps but by interconnected barriers that must be addressed simultaneously.