Next month St. Patrick Academy, a middle-school level academy embedded in St. Patrick Catholic School in Springfield, will kick off the public phase of a fund-raiser called The St. Patrick Academy Century Campaign.

The Springfield diocese continues to provide the building that houses the school and contributes annually to St. Pat's operating fund, says Tom Bayer, president of the academy's board of trustees. The campaign will make use of newly-donated funds by covering administrative costs of enrichment program materials, faculty salaries and some tuition assistance. "This is not a ‘bricks and mortar' campaign," he adds.

Founded as an Irish parish school on Springfield's east side almost a hundred years ago, St. Pat's no longer exclusively serves the Catholic community. It does, however, retain its Catholic mission and name in honor of the long tradition of service to St. Patrick's legacy inspired by the Dominican Sisters who founded the school and taught there for over 80 years.

Although St. Patrick's is essentially a K-7 elementary school - with eighth grade a planned addition for the 2009-2010 academic year - the academy is housed within the school. Moreover, leaders at St. Pat's are currently laying the groundwork to make St. Patrick Academy eligible for membership in the Nativity Miguel Network of Schools.

Nativity Miguel is a faith-based network of schools whose motto is "Breaking the cycle of poverty through education." There are about 65 Nativity Miguel schools located throughout the United States, all under the leadership of executive director Msgr. John W. Jordan.

Membership in Nativity Miguel will give the school access to a national network of resources proven successful in addressing the needs of children who share the same socio-economic challenges that St. Patrick Academy students face.

St. Patrick Academy offers an extended day program, which means middle school students attend class from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and will soon attend class until noon on Saturday. Bayer anticipates no more than 15 to 20 students will be in each grade.

 "This is an intensive learning environment," Bayer says. "It is protecting kids from the external factors that would otherwise affect them."

The academy has also developed after-hours joint learning opportunities for parents and students and a summer enrichment program aimed at broadening the students' cultural and vocational horizons.

In adopting the Nativity Miguel model, St. Patrick Academy has also committed to mentoring its students beyond graduation from the school. The academy is already recruiting volunteers to serve as mentors. Bayer says a graduate assistant, a person he describes "as someone similar to a high school counselor to follow them through high school and even into college" will also be hired.

St. Patrick Academy and the Nativity Miguel model may be new to Springfield, but it has been proven to work elsewhere, Bayer says. "You have to give these kids a chance," he adds. "We're only going to handle a small number (of students) per class. You know, you have to take them one at a time and prop them up."

Dr. Joe Link, who sits on the school board, says, "The adoption of the Nativity Miguel model school is a tremendous effort and a leap of faith. We wish to break the cycle of poverty thereby reducing crime, and producing productive citizens and leaders."

Msgr. John Ossola, pastor of Little Flower Parish in Springfield, is another supporter of the school.  

"St. Patrick's School serves a very important and fundamental mission of the Catholic Church in Springfield," he says. "That is to be present to all areas of the city and to be a sign of the presence of the Catholic Church to all."

 "I like to remind people that charity starts at home," Bayer says. "St. Patrick Academy is a mission of our church right here in Springfield."

More information about St. Patrick Academy and The St. Patrick Academy Century Campaign can be obtained from Dr. Cora Benson, executive director of the academy at (217) 523-7670, www.st-patrick.org , or by corresponding with her at 1800 S. Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703.