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Student during our next steps fair
Meet Demetrius: Ready for SLU Thanks to a Strong Start at Miriam
Katie Stalter


Demetrius heads to college equipped with strong academic and social foundation

As Demetrius was finishing middle school, his parents knew they needed to choose just the right high school environment for him - one that would accommodate his challenges AND give him the academic foundation he would need for the future.

Now, four years later as Demetrius prepares for graduation and plans for college, his parents know they made the right choice by sending him to Miriam High School.

“We were looking for an academic setting that would meet all his needs,” said his mom, Donielle. “We wanted a supportive environment that would allow him to succeed both academically and socially - an environment where his strengths were celebrated and encouraged. Miriam met all these criteria and equipped him with the tools to be successful in school.”

Donielle and her husband watched Demetrius thrive over those four years at Miriam High School, benefiting from the staff’s continuous support. Even in the challenging moments, they simply helped him work through those struggles.

“During those days, he was not punished, judged or looked down upon. Instead, he was respected and supported, and provided with resources to assist him when an obstacle occurred,” Donielle said.

She said their favorite thing about Miriam was seeing Demetrius treated as an individual, and not a diagnosis. Education is very important to their whole family, and his parents wanted Demetrius to reach his goals. 

“Every school day was tailored to what he needed to make him successful in and outside the classroom,” Donielle said. “Any question, suggestion or needed reassurance was always addressed by the staff, regardless of how big or small it was.”

Demetrius also enjoyed that individual attention and accommodation, as well as the small class sizes. One of his favorite things about Miriam was that the after school clubs are catered toward students’ interests. He particularly felt at home with the Running Club, which gave him the opportunity to run 5K races throughout the St. Louis area.

He also connected well with his peers and made great social progress. “I like being surrounded by other neurodivergent peers that can relate to me and encourage me,” Demetrius said. “Overall, my experience at Miriam made me more insightful and positive about my future.”

What does that future hold? First, Demetrius plans to attend Saint Louis University full-time this fall. He will live on campus and major in computer science. Donielle said her son is excited about life on campus, meeting other college students with similar interests, and expanding his knowledge of computers and technology.

This won’t be Demetrius’ first experience with college, however. During his senior year of high school, he dual enrolled at Miriam and St. Louis Community College, taking English 101 in the fall and English 102 in the spring. He and his family are thrilled with the experience and grateful that Miriam offered the dual enrollment option. 

“The education Demetrius received from Miriam High School exceeded our expectations,” Donielle said. “We are confident that he is adequately prepared to attend college after graduation.”

If this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Many Miriam families come to us looking for a school that truly understands and supports their child. Often, their children are navigating ADHD, level 1 autism, anxiety, language processing disorders, or other learning differences, and they’ve found that traditional school environments simply aren’t built with those needs in mind. 

At Miriam, support isn’t something families have to advocate for to get. It’s built into everything we do through expert staff, a personalized curriculum, and integrated therapies. Every aspect is designed to help your child thrive. If you or your child is feeling overwhelmed or unsupported in a traditional school setting, Miriam could be the right fit for your family. Learn more about our admissions process here.

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Student during our next steps fair
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