There is much excitement in the air about our BBQ and Variety Show at the High School on Friday, and the Art Festival and Talent Show at the Lower Middle School next Friday, April 17th. Many of our students come to us afraid to make eye contact or say hello, and then by this time of year, they are on stage singing their favorite Taylor Swift song or playing the piano, and there are tears of joy running down the faces of the crowd who know how much each of these children has overcome. 

It is a fundamental human need to desire connection and a true sense of belonging. Learning how to navigate the complexities of friendships and group dynamics is more than just a social grace; it is a critical life skill.

Paper stars with those four school values - along with the students’ names - wallpaper the windows around the school office. Whether it’s helping a peer or taking a deep breath during a difficult moment, school staff hand out stars when they see a student leaning into one of these four values - providing immediate, visual proof that their positive choices are noticed.

Planning for the future can feel daunting, especially for students who learn differently. Miriam High School’s Next Steps Fair offers tools to help move forward with confidence. Students and their families were invited to explore programs, resources, and opportunities that can help with life after high school.

Yesterday, I had a phone call with a parent, and she spoke about the "soul-crushing" approach of the traditional special education system—a system often based on the identification of disabilities where children only receive support after a series of failures, low scores, and social-emotional trauma.

Today, a younger student arrived having a visibly tough morning. As he crossed the building's threshold, his struggle was apparent in his posture: shoulders hunched, hair disheveled, and his usually bright eyes dimmed. He moved as though he were underwater.

As winter break approaches for thousands of students across St. Louis, many parents are preparing for their children to be home for the holidays.

As students’ needs become more complex in classrooms across the country, Miriam School and Learning Center is offering a new program to train teachers to successfully teach students of all abilities.

Happy December! Thanksgiving has come and gone. There is so much joyful anticipation of the holidays in our buildings. On Sunday, some of our community members will be celebrating Hanukkah, while other children are eagerly anticipating Christmas. 

Winter break and the holiday season are synonymous with joy, celebration, and cherished family gatherings. However, for neurodivergent children - including those with sensory processing disorder, ADHD, or autism - the sudden disruption of familiar routines and the massive increase in sensory stimuli can feel overwhelming.

More than a holiday meal, the annual Friendsgiving project at Miriam High School serves up crucial, real-world life lessons. Whether following a recipe or budgeting for groceries, the skills students learn span nearly every facet of adult life.

As Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

Every day at Miriam School and Learning Center, students are not only learning academics - they’re learning how to learn. That process relies on something called executive function: the brain’s ability to plan, organize, remember information, manage emotions and get things done.

Miriam High School is excited to announce that it is now a full member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), which opens up the opportunity for Miriam students to play sports with a partner team. 

Today I was reminded of the lasting connections cast here when I had the privilege of giving one of our alumni, Isaac, and his father a tour of our Lower/Middle School Campus. Isaac is now considering a career in special education and is seeking a volunteer opportunity with us.