The Nativity Model

The first Nativity School was opened by the Jesuits in 1971 to educate at-risk children from the Lower East Side of New York City. The mission was to create a high-quality, non tuition-driven school for students who could not afford a costly private school education.

The Judeo-Christian values which inspired the Nativity Model include a respect for the dignity and potential of each person, a responsibility to assist the poor and those in need, a strong sense of community within the one family of God, and the obligation to promote a society characterized by socialjustice. In the Nativity Model, students are enrolled without regard to race, color, religion or ethnicity. Since 1989, this model has been replicated over 40 times in cities across the country, focusing on the middle school years and all committed to accompanying their students through high school and into college.

The Nativity Track Record

• 88% of Nativity School graduates in 1999 went on to graduate from high school in 2003.
• 80% of these graduates went on to a 2-or-4-year college or university.
• 91% of 2003 eighth grade graduates are now attending Catholic / Private / Charter Schools in their area.