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Student during our next steps fair
Meet Henry: Overcoming the Uphill Battle
Katie Stalter


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.

Henry using the swing in the OT room.

As a high school junior, Henry felt defeated. He was facing algebra for the fourth time, with no change in instructional approach. After switching to Miriam halfway through that year, Henry not only conquered algebra - but gained confidence and built executive functioning skills along the way.

“We only wish we had found Miriam sooner,” says Henry’s dad, Craig. “It has become our second home. We are so grateful for every moment Henry has spent there.”

Henry looking at yearbooks with two other students.

Early on in his education, his parents watched him succeed with adequate support but then would see him hiding under his desk, unable to express his frustration. As he moved through the grades, they found that finding the right support for Henry became more of a struggle, as he navigated his attention and executive functioning challenges. 

“The lack of consistent support became unsustainable,” Craig said. “Henry was at a breaking point. We knew it was time for a change.”

Henry’s mom, Kristy, said she can only imagine how defeated he would feel if he had continued at his previous school. “His journey at Miriam has helped him grow as a student, a friend, a brother, a family member and a citizen of the world!”

She said, “The Miriam community allows all people to feel safe and accepted for who they are, wherever they are in their educational journey.

Henry and another student in their costumes during Halloween.

Henry truly enjoyed school at Miriam. He said the structure and support made everything easier. “I actually feel like I’ve learned stuff here, rather than gambling with learning,” Henry said. 

Henry was thriving, eager to share what he was learning at Miriam and even joining after-school clubs. Specifically, he joined the Dungeons & Dragons Club so he could play with his elementary school friends, who he now spends time with almost weekly.

Henry on stage during graduation.

Henry’s confidence has soared at Miriam. “The faculty identified his strengths and used them to bridge his gaps,” Craig said. “Most importantly, he’s more open about his feelings. I’m not sure if that emotional processing is directly from Miriam, but the environment certainly gave him the space to express it.”

Kristy and Craig have realized with Miriam’s help that there are many post-high school opportunities that can lead to a rewarding, successful life. “We realized that it’s ok if Henry’s path looks different than his brother’s,” Craig said.

As with every student who graduates from Miriam High School, Henry does have a plan for his next chapter. He’ll attend St. Louis Community College and take general education classes in preparation for a four-year college degree in archeology or paleontology. Henry did his two-week senior internship at Mastodon State Park, which helped solidify his path. 

“Henry has grown so much in such a short time,” Kristy said. “The Miriam team is unmatched in their ability to make Henry feel safe, understood, and encouraged to grow in ways we only dreamed he could!”

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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