Curriculum & Educational Philosophy

Project and Place Based Learning

The San Miguel Academy Project and Place-Based Learning Program (PBL²) is an interactive, STEAM-focused approach that encourages inquiry, investigation, and experiential learning. Through cross-curricular, hands-on projects, students continuously develop problem-solving, collaboration, and higher-order thinking skills. Inside and outside the classroom, PBL² engages students in meaningful learning experiences that nurture their natural curiosity and strengthen connections between academic content and real-world application, leading to deeper understanding and stronger retention.

A key component of the program is San Miguel Academy’s partnerships with educational and environmental sites throughout the Hudson Valley, which expand learning beyond the traditional classroom and immerse students in authentic, place-based experiences.

Developed by San Miguel Academy faculty, the Project and Place-Based Learning Program is unique among middle school programs and has earned international recognition for its innovation and effectiveness. Faculty members have presented elements of the program at conferences in South Africa and Canada, as well as at regional conferences across the United States.

As San Miguel Academy prepares students for success in high school, college, and other post-secondary pathways, the program provides a strong foundation in STEAM and equips students with the critical thinking, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for future academic and career success.

STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics

In 2022, San Miguel Academy dedicated the Sister Agnes Boyle STEAM Learning Center, the school’s first major renovation since purchasing the building in 2020. The center serves as the hub of the Academy’s innovative STEAM programming, where students engage in cross-curricular, hands-on projects that foster creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and higher-order thinking skills.

Students participate in a wide range of STEAM activities, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD), laser cutting, 3D printing and fabrication, coding literacy, circuitry literacy, and Design Thinking. In addition, San Miguel Academy is launching a unique aviation-focused initiative through STEMPilot, integrating engineering, science, physics, and mathematics through the study of flight and aviation technology.

STEAM education has long been woven throughout the curriculum at San Miguel Academy. Teachers across all subject areas incorporate design thinking strategies and project-based methodologies into their instruction, encouraging students to approach challenges with innovation and curiosity.

The Sister Agnes Boyle STEAM Learning Center stands as the hallmark of the Academy’s commitment to forward-thinking education, providing students with access to cutting-edge tools and curriculum design. At the core of the program is the development of career-ready skills that prepare students for success in the 21st-century workforce and an increasingly technology-driven world.

STEMPilot & Aviation Studies

San Miguel Academy recently dedicated the Steve Beck Aeronautical Science Center, further expanding its innovative aviation studies program launched in 2022 in response to growing workforce demands within the aviation industry. Through the program, every San Miguel Academy middle school student participates in a 12-week aviation training experience using two STEMPilot flight simulators, with instruction led by retired commercial pilots.

The program introduces students to aviation through hands-on learning that integrates engineering, science, physics, and mathematics. By combining classroom instruction with realistic flight simulation, students gain exposure to both the technical and practical aspects of aviation while developing problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. San Miguel Academy’s aviation curriculum directly responds to this expanding career field by preparing students to explore opportunities in aviation and aerospace industries at an early age.

San Miguel Academy has also established partnerships with RedTail Academy at Stewart International Airport, where several students have participated in the Tuskegee Airmen-sponsored pilot program, as well as SUNY Dutchess, which offers a strong aviation curriculum. As a result of these experiences, multiple San Miguel students are now exploring future careers as pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation mechanics.

Refocusing Technology in the Curriculum

San Miguel Academy has intentionally shifted its approach to technology integration by placing greater emphasis on teacher-directed instruction rather than student-centered device use. This decision reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring that technology enhances, rather than distracts from, meaningful learning experiences.

By reducing the amount of time students spend on individual devices, teachers are better able to guide instruction, facilitate discussion, and foster deeper engagement in the classroom. This approach prioritizes critical thinking, collaboration, and relationship-building while still using technology strategically to support instruction and expand learning opportunities.

With Gratitude to Our Education Partners

San Miguel Academy’s Education Partners support critical early childhood education interventions for underserved students in the City of Newburgh. These interventions focus on educating and supporting the “whole child” by addressing the academic, emotional, and social challenges that often accompany poverty. Through this partnership, students receive the resources, guidance, and support needed to overcome emotional trauma, build confidence, and achieve academic success, while families are empowered to better support their children both academically and emotionally.