Experiential Learning Program
Research shows that students with disabilities are less likely to be employed after high school graduation, compared to their peers without the same challenges. Miriam High School’s Experiential Learning Program (ELP) creates programming that allows students to graduate with not only a diploma from an accredited high school, but also a rich portfolio of skills for life. As a private school, we have the ability to create a dynamic schedule that would enable groups of students to be out in the community every day.
Community Partnership
Miriam is working with a number of partners within the community who are welcoming to our students and open to helping them during this journey. We will continue to seek out more businesses and organizations that will provide such opportunities. Our current partners include Pathways To Independence, St Louis Arc, Dream Big, Vocational Rehabilitation, BCI Skills Center, Best Buddies, Challenge Unlimited, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and the STEPUP Program. If you’d like to become a community partner, contact Terri Pruitt at 314-962-6080.
Experiential Learning Program in action:
-
Each year, a small group of students plans a school-wide Friendsgiving meal. This involves budgeting for a shopping trip, shopping at a local grocery store, cooking the meal, and serving it to the entire school.
-
Last year, all students had the opportunity to participate in the "Build Your Future" event from AGC of Missouri at St. Louis Community College. This event allowed them to engage with professionals in the field and try out various practices firsthand.
-
In science class, students wrapped up their unit on weathering, erosion, and cave formation with a trip to Meramec Caverns, where they could see these concepts in action.
- In Personal Finance class, students created a budget to rent and furnish an apartment. They visited IKEA to choose furnishings that matched their style and budget. Students also took trips to local restaurants to learn how to handle payments and tips.
- We also facilitate internships for our students, including opportunities at Five Oaks, Olivette’s community center, where they can gain experience in office work and facility setup.
The Benefits:
- Practicing life skills and social skills
- Coping skills
- Exploring strengths and passions
- Focusing on the whole student
- Job readiness
- Community Partnership
Practicing life skills and social skills
Coping skills
Exploring strengths and passions
Focusing on the whole student
Job readiness
Community Partnership
Related Articles
Many Miriam Lower/Middle School students will dribble their way to new skills this month – skills they can use both on and off the basketball court.
Miriam School and Learning Center is proud to announce that the Rotary Club of St. Louis has generously awarded a $20,000 scholarship to support students in need of financial assistance. This year’s recipient, Remi W., a ninth grader from St. Ann, is a talented young student with a dream of becoming an artist and a passion for learning.
The group is a great way for St. Louis professionals ages 21-39 to network with one another, help local children with learning differences, and receive support and advice from others who have been in the professional world for a longer time.
Last week, Miriam High School students stretched their comfort zones at the Principia School Challenge Course. Each student selected from a variety of activities, including low and high ropes courses and a 35-foot climbing wall.
This spring, 14 Miriam High School students passed the driver’s permit test. Kellerman led a unit during Miriam Essentials time that included on-the-road basics and practice permit tests. Kellerman himself accompanied the students – in small groups – to the license bureau, driven by another teacher in a Miriam van.
The high school is piloting an internship program this year - called Volunteer Work-Based Learning - that they hope to expand to many more students in the future. In conjunction with the work experience, Miriam staff provide training in job skills, soft/interpersonal skills and independent living.
More than a dozen students from Miriam High School took part in a shopping spree, serving as an extension of their math curriculum.
At Miriam High School, we’re giving our students hands-on, out-of-classroom experiences through our Experiential Learning Program that will set them up for success when they graduate.