After 17 years in its current location, the San Miguel School of Providence will start the new school year in a new home.
San Miguel is moving from its Carter Street location in space at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church facility to the former St. Ann’s Catholic School on Branch Avenue. The new location is three times the size of the current school and includes more space for classrooms, offices, science, and art. It also has a gym, a state-of-the art library and media center, and new opportunities to serve students, family, and alumni.
The former St. Ann’s Catholic School will be the new San Miguel location.
“It’s a dream come true for us! With more space we’ll be able to work more efficiently and be more productive,” said Executive Director Brother Lawrence Goyette, who founded the school in 1993.
Brother Lawrence expressed gratitude for the generosity St. Paul’s showed over the years, including allowing San Miguel to use its former school building rent-free for 10 years and waiving utility fees for the first couple years as well. Brother Lawrence says San Miguel may not have made it more than three years without that hospitality.
San Miguel started with fifth and sixth grades and slowly grew to add seventh grade in 1994 and eighth grade in 1995. The school now serves 64 students. With the increased space, it may consider adding fourth grade in the future, but does not intend to increase class size.
During the summer months, contractors will work on carpentry, electricity, fire code improvements, flooring, and painting. Brother Lawrence expects to begin using the upgraded facility at the end of August for the readiness camp before starting the 18th school year.
San Miguel has been planning for this move for 14 months. It will lease the St. Ann’s building with the option to buy in the future. The expansion is being fully funded by individual gifts and foundations.
