Latino boys are more likely than any other demographic in DC to drop out of high school – but not San Miguel graduates. Enrolling some 90 at-risk Latino youth, immigrants or the sons of immigrants, 90% of whom are poor and arrive two to three years behind grade level, San Miguel serves as a model of innovative Catholic education. Academically rigorous and tuition free, it typically limits classrooms to 15 students, focuses on the mastery of basic skills, and nurtures the physical and emotional well-being of each boy. Breakfast, study hall, and tutoring fill out an extended day and a 200-day school year maintains or accelerates achievement. San Miguel stands by its graduates too, offering ongoing mentoring and high school and college guidance. The results? Last year, 100% of students went on to college prep high schools and attained a 100% graduation rate, nearly twice the rate of local peers.

COVID-19 Update: San Miguel School reopened on August 31 with a blended program of in-classroom instruction and online learning at home – with strict health and safety protocols in place. "Pods" of 5-7 students alternate with each other, attending in person for two days and studying at home (online and off) for two days. Breakfast and lunch are provided; mask wearing and social distancing are givens; cleaning and disinfecting are completed throughout the day. The opportunity gap is widening during the pandemic – but not for these students.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 4

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 4; DC-Ward 5; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; Our location is Shepherd Park, but we serve families from a variety of locations in DC and the metro area

Population(s) Served: Men/Boys; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: Archbishop Carroll High School; DeMatha Catholic High School; Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School; Duke Ellington School of the Arts; Georgetown Day School; Georgetown Preparatory; Gonzaga College High School; St. John's College High School; The Nora School


  • Number of children we prepare for success in school annually:   85
  • High school graduation rate (or GED completion rate) of our students:   100%
  • Academic success level of your students (% performing at or above grade level, etc):   100%
  • Hours of tutoring, mentoring, or class-time we provide annually:   200 days/year

Awards & Recognition

San Miguel received the inaugural Quality Schools Initiative Award from the Fight for Children Foundation in 2008.

Accreditation through Southern Association of Colleges and Schools division of AdvancED in 2015.

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for San Miguel School is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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