San Miguel School | Chicago

What kind of school is San Miguel School Chicago?

San Miguel School is a Lasallian, Catholic middle school for students in grades six through eight. We serve students of all academic abilities in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and surrounding communities.

What do San Miguel scholars have in common?

San Miguel students do best in a small, supportive, and academically challenging school community. They are willing to pursue personal growth through participation in enrichment activities, after-school clubs, sports, and class trips.

When does your non-traditional school year start and end?

Our school year begins in mid-August and ends in mid-July, with a three-week break in December and another three-week break in March/April. Our year-round school calendar helps students retain what they’ve learned and prevents the learning losses that typically occur over long summer breaks.

What is a typical school day like?

During our 7.5-hour extended school day, San Miguel scholars attend classes in language arts (including reading), math, science, social studies, and religion. During their daily enrichment period, students engage in art and physical education activities and learn about topics ranging from health and digital citizenship to safety. We also offer schoolwide masses and prayer services.

Why do San Miguel scholars take so many trips?

Trips are an important part of the San Miguel experience because they challenge students to step outside of their comfort zones and develop new skills. These trips help students build stronger bonds with their peers as they expand their horizons, discover new strengths and talents, and gain new perspectives on the world. All trip expenses—including meals, transportation and lodging—are covered by San Miguel School at no additional cost to your family.

Will my child have access to technology?

We will issue a Chromebook to your San Miguel scholar for educational use at no cost to your family. Your student will use the same Chromebook from sixth grade through eighth grade. Each classroom is equipped with a Vibe Smart Whiteboard and students utilize Google Classroom and other online learning programs and apps during their classes.

How early can my child arrive in the morning?

Students can arrive each morning as early as 7:15 a.m. for breakfast and then attend Open Gym until the school day begins at 8 a.m.

When does your extended school day end?

Students are dismissed for the day at 3:30 p.m. Students participating in after-school activities such as sports or clubs typically attend practices or meetings until 5 p.m. Teachers and/or staff members remain with students until they are picked up.

How does the breakfast and lunch program work?

San Miguel School participates in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, which provides nutritionally balanced meals to students as part of their school day. We provide hot breakfasts and lunches daily for all students.

How do I communicate with teachers regarding my child’s academic progress?

The grading cycle at San Miguel consists of six marking periods that are approximately six weeks long. Halfway through each marking period, students will receive a mid-term progress report. This report will be discussed at parent-teacher conferences. At the end of each marking period, students will receive a final grade for each of their classes. In addition to parent-teacher conferences, which are held five times during the academic year, parents are encouraged to schedule meetings with teachers or communicate directly with teachers via email whenever they have concerns about their children’s academic progress. Need teacher email addresses? Click here >

Why is parent participation such an important part of the San Miguel School mission?

San Miguel parents are valued and respected members of our school community—and we urge you to partner with us to support your child’s education. You can provide valuable input and insights as a member of our Parent Advisory Council, help us keep tuition fees low by participating in school fundraising activities, help build community by reaching out to fellow family members at social events, and ensure a successful middle school journey by attending parent conferences and making sure your child comes to school well-rested and ready to learn.

Will San Miguel help my child find a good fit in a high school?

Every eighth grader participates in a weekly High School Bridge class to learn about different high school options—including Catholic, charter, selective enrollment, and neighborhood schools—and work on high school and financial-aid applications. Students also attend high school shadow days and complete a High School Test Prep course to prepare for entrance exams at Catholic and selective high schools.

Where do San Miguel school graduates typically attend high school?

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

What percentage of San Miguel alumni graduate from high school?

• 93% of our Class of 2018 earned high school diplomas
• 56% of these high school graduates were college-bound
• 97% of our Class of 2017 earned high school diplomas and 67% of these high school graduates were college-bound
• 93% of our Class of 2016 earned high school diplomas and 87% of these high school graduates were college-bound

What colleges or universities are San Miguel School Chicago graduates attending?

San Miguel alumni continue their studies at colleges and universities in Illinois and across the nation, including:

Augustana College
Concordia University
DePaul University
Harold Washington College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois State University
Joliet Junior College
Kennedy-King College
Lewis University
Lycoming College
Malcolm X College
Moraine Valley Community College
Morton College
National Latino Education Institute
National Lewis University
Northwestern University
Richard J. Daley College
Saint Xavier
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
University of Georgia
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Missouri
Vanderbilt University