St. Nicholas Academy — helping students rise to the top
The students and houseparents of St. Nicholas Academy in Jefferson City looked up at the soaring rise ahead of them, peaking out at 12,000 feet above sea level, on a summer road trip to Colorado.
Would they make it all the way to the top? They started hiking and found out.
“My favorite picture from the trip is from the top of that hill,” said Lucas, a fourth-grader at the academy.
“When you go up high, the air is thinner, so it’s harder to breathe,” another student noted. “I remember running all the way to the top of the mountain, and by the end, I was out of breath. But all along, I was thinking, ‘Yes, I can get up there.’”
That steep slope and thinning oxygen can be likened to the obstacles some children face in getting a good education.
St. Nicholas Academy’s purpose is to help them make it the whole way.
“Our goal is to give our students the tools and everything they need to run up that hill with courage and confidence,” said Michaela Newell, Ph.D., executive director of St. Nicholas Academy (stnick.org).
St. Nicholas is a faith-based boarding school in Jefferson City that helps boys who are at-risk reach their full potential.
Dr. Newell and her husband, Kyrell Newell, also serve as the houseparents to the five boys, ages 9 to 14, who live at the academy during the week.
All of the students attend St. Peter School in Jefferson City and receive an excellent education in a loving faith-filled family environment.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight blessed the St. Nicholas Academy building nearly a year ago, on Nov. 6, 2023, the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of children.
“It’s named after a saint,” Lucas noted. “He’s kind of like Santa Claus. He used to give money to the poor. Because his parents were really rich. And then they died one day.”
The students were there for the dedication and enjoyed giving the bishop a tour of their home.
Each has made tremendous progress in the year since then.
“All of our students have courage to attack obstacles and are, in fact, attacking them, even when it’s hard,” said Dr. Newell.
One student who had an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) for special education has excelled to the point that he no longer needs the IEP.
“Other students are running cross-country races at speeds they never ran before, or making friends that have been difficult to make,” said Dr. Newell. “All of them are accomplishing things that they never dreamed they would accomplish.”
One of the most powerful incentives St. Nicholas Academy offers for success is a family environment where the boys experience love and structure throughout their day.
“We’re just like a family,” said Dr. Newell. “That’s how we operate.”
That environment allows the students to be themselves and thrive in the manner God intends for them.
“They thrive”
St. Nicholas Academy is an independent 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization, governed by a board of directors.
It will host a “Bowling with St. Nick” fundraiser on Dec. 7 in Jefferson City. For information, visit: stnick.harnessgiving.org/events/2329.
Its mission statement, approved by its board, is: “We partner with families to help children reach their full potential physically, academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually, in an inclusive family setting that provides love and compassion in a protected and safe environment.”
Its vision statement is: “to form students who leave as high school graduates, equipped to pursue their dreams, sharing their lives with others through compassion, service and love.”
Elizabeth Huber, a member of St. Peter Parish in Jefferson City, founded the academy with help from dedicated board members and Sister Susan Renner of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who came to Jefferson City to serve as the academy’s first director.
The idea came from a discussion Mrs. Huber had with a teacher who was frustrated that children with great potential were falling behind because they didn’t have a consistently stable home environment.
MU Health owns the building and provides it to the academy with an extremely reasonable lease.
Mrs. Huber and Sr. Susan raised money, and with donations of time and materials from community businesses and individuals, oversaw renovating the building into a large home.
The academy began accepting students in 2020.
Counselors in local school districts and the Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association connect St. Nicholas Academy with families who could benefit from what it offers.
“If you give kids consistent expectations and love, they thrive,” said Dr. Newell. “That’s all we do: give them consistent expectations and love in a family setting. They put in the work, and they thrive.”
“Six!”
All of the boys have parents or guardians living in or near Jefferson City.
The boys spend most of their time at school, at extracurricular activities and in the St. Nicholas Academy building, where they sleep and have their meals and down time.
The academy also includes a year-round program with summer activities that provide many growth-filled experiences.
Adding to the family environment is the presence of a little sister — the Newells’ daughter Iva, who just turned 1.
“She makes six!” said Liam, a fourth-grader at St. Nicholas.
Dr. Newell said the boys all treat Iva like she’s their own little sister, and they’re proud of her.
“She really brings us together,” Dr. Newell stated. “Our family of eight is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed — seeing how she connects with them and how they connect with her.”
“Everything”
Lucas said his favorite part of St. Nicholas Academy is all the fun things they do together.
Time after school is scheduled for play, homework, reading, prayers and together time.
Liam, a fourth-grader, said he also enjoys the activities, as well as when they get to host a therapy on Sundays.
He likes painting and drawing, putting jigsaw puzzles together and playing on the basketball court outside.
His favorite subject is science. He’s thinking about being a paleontologist, if not a veterinarian, when he grows up.
“I like animals,” he said. “But sometimes, I just feel like discovering things, like fossils.”
Seventh-grader Malik said his favorite thing about St. Nicholas and St. Peter School are the people.
“It’s really fun here,” he said. “You really don’t have to worry about anything except following the rules.”
His favorite subject is science.
“I like learning about things like molecules and how things work,” he said.
He’s giving thought to going into specially trained law-enforcement when he grows up.
“It’s exciting work,” he said.
Makel, a fifth-grader, offered some advice to any kids who’d like to join the St. Nicholas family: “You should come. You’ll love it.”
He enjoys science — learning about plants, animals and how things work.
What’s his favorite thing about St. Nicholas Academy?
“Everything,” he said.
A seventh-grader who asked that his name not be used, said his favorite thing at St. Nicholas is “getting closer to people.”
“It’s pretty fun here,” he said. “Just like a normal family. A lot of good connections. And we get to go on fun trips.”
If someone new came to live there, he’d tell them: “You’re going to have a lot of fun here. Don’t be shy. And listen to Michaela and Kyrell. They’re super-cool. And the other kids are fun.”
Lucas, whose favorite subject is social studies, said he’s thinking about being a teacher when he grows up.
“They’re really creative and they get to make really fun projects for their students,” he said.
“Sacrificial and loving”
The Newells became the houseparents at St. Nicholas in the Spring of 2021. Dr. Newell started as executive director that July, and the couple moved into the house the following month.
In that role, they do for the children what all parents typically do: “getting kids to school, getting them home, getting them to appointments during the week, basketball practices and games and the like,” said Dr. Newell.
In addition, her work as director requires about 30 hours per week.
“Both roles are very different,” she said. “So, it feels like a mom going to work during the day and picking up her kids after she finishes at the office.”
The Newells make decisions in close consultation with each child’s parents or guardians, along with teachers at St. Peter School, to help promote stability and success for the child.
“We have a strong relationship with (the parents and guardians) and are sure to include them in all of our decision-making,” said Dr. Newell.
It’s a long-term commitment, right up until the student graduates from high school.
She lauded the families who realize they need help providing an environment that’s more conducive to growth and success — and make the commitment to work with St. Nicholas Academy to make it happen.
“It’s honestly one of the most sacrificial and loving things I’ve ever seen anyone do, to be able to identify that ‘I need extra help co-parenting, and this is an opportunity for my child to get an amazing education,’” she stated.
“Going to be loving”
The previous houseparents, Unique and Funtez Robinson, serve as respite parents.
Mr. Robinson is concluding his time as the academy’s mentorship coordinator.
“But, the bond is extremely strong and I love these kids,” he stated. “I still want to be there for life — to the point of where they get tired of me.”
He’s confident that the students are on their way to becoming honorable, influential adults.
“I’m sure they’re going to be kind,” he said. “They’re going to be loving and great human beings.
“And I hope that no matter what they’re doing, they can always reach back and help the next kid,” he said.
“I know God has his hands on them,” he stated. “That’s for sure.”
Mr. Robinson asked for prayers for St. Nicholas Academy to continue forever — or until there is no longer a need for it.
“A million bucks”
Before falling asleep at night, Liam gives thanks for good things about his life — “a good day, family, people in my life who take care of me, having a dog, having a cat, having friends.”
He’s also thankful for Dr. and Mr. Newell.
“They’re nice and thoughtful,” he said. “They like having us here. They help us with their homework. They do a lot for us.”
Malik thanks God each day for family and friends and for being able to wake up.
Makel thanks God for heaven that awaits him after this life.
Another student said he thanks God every night for things like food, a roof over his head and a good education, “because a lot of people don’t have that.”
He also gives thanks for living in the United States, “which I think is the best country ever.”
“I like living every day like it’s important,” he added. “Because every day is. You’ve got to live every day like it’s a million bucks.”
“It’s needed!”
Dr. Newell said that she and her husband rely heavily on God for inspiration, and they know he’s very much at work at St. Nicholas Academy.
“It’s really cool to see the children grow in their relationship with God,” she said. “For them to know that Jesus knows and loves them. And for them to know that the love we show for them is from God. That’s why we’re here.”
She asked for prayers for each of the children at St. Nicholas Academy to discover how God sees them and to be filled with his love and self-respect.
“This is needed in this world,” said Mr. Robinson. “Open ears, open eyes, open hearts. It’s needed, bad!”
