When you walk through the doors of Miriam at either our elementary or high school campus, you will be struck by the warmth of our community, which truly sees and cherishes every child. 

Her journey wasn't easy. Claudia was always a shy child who faced executive functioning challenges and intense social anxiety. As middle school approached, she began to experience severe bullying. Claudia felt excluded from her peer group, which eventually led to her shutdown.

The most valuable learning happens just beyond the comfort zone. At Miriam High School, we are actively shaping an environment where challenge is seen not as a barrier, but as the essential ingredient for growth and true understanding.

Incoming Miriam senior Sophia stepped outside her comfort zone this summer, taking a leap toward self-advocacy and civic leadership with 700 other young women at Missouri Girls State.

As the Head of Miriam School and Learning Center, there are few joys greater in life than the first day of school. The summer weeks of planning, anticipating student and staff needs, facilities preparation, and admissions work all come to fruition as the cars roll up and students begin to enter the building.

Families now have a new, convenient way to support both their child's academic success and their own wellness. Through a new collaboration between Miriam School and Learning Center and the Gateway Region YMCA, YMCA members can now enroll their children in fee-based, specialized tutoring services offered by Miriam at the South County and Chesterfield YMCA locations.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of eight members to the board of directors. These additions will support the nonprofit’s work to empower students with learning differences, bringing the total number of board members to 25. Darcy Scharff has taken over as president of the board.

Addison Miller, a 2020 Miriam eighth-grade graduate, inspired this year’s eighth-grade graduates and their families alike during his address at the May 15 graduation ceremony. He spoke about the importance of pride, and encouraged the teens to embrace what he calls an unmatched motivator.

Watching Henry walk across the stage to accept his Miriam High School diploma, one would never guess that just 18 months ago, he was facing a constant uphill battle at school - a fight he felt destined to lose. Today, Henry isn’t just a graduate - he is a future archaeologist following his path to St. Louis Community College with a newfound sense of self-assurance.

I can hardly believe we are near the end of the school year! What an incredible year it has been for Miriam’s children and those of us who work with them.

Thanks to our incredibly generous community, the Third Annual Minds in Bloom Auction & Dinner broke both attendance and fundraising records for the event! The event, held on Saturday, April 18, at Clayton Plaza Hotel, raised more than $300,000 in total, with $181,324 specifically going to our Fund the Future Scholarship Fund to help make Miriam more affordable for families who need us. 

For many high school seniors, the final weeks before graduation are a blur of yearbooks and ceremony rehearsals. But for the 12 seniors at Miriam High School, the homestretch looks a bit more like a professional debut. April 13 marks the launch of their short-term internships, a new piece of scaffolding in the school’s mission to bridge the gap between specialized education and "real world" success.

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.