• Gateway Michael School serves students with serious health problems and multiple disabilities, ages three through fourteen. Its distinct location allows students opportunities to be integrated with general education students from Gateway Elementary/Middle throughout the day for meals, classes, recess, assemblies, or other activities as their health and abilities allow. Established over 80 years ago to educate a largely ignored group of children labeled “crippled” by society, Gateway Michael continues to provide opportunities for children who require extra help to make progress in an educational setting.

     

    The backbone of our instructional program is the federally-mandated Individual Education Program (IEP) which defines the services and supports necessary to facilitate educational success for students with special needs. Tailored to specific individual goals that range from traditionally academic pursuits, such as reading and mathematics, to those not covered in the general education classroom, such as motor skill improvement or self-help skills, the IEP, in concert with the District’s curriculum, sets the course for the educational experience of our students.

     

    Gateway Michael has the services of two full time nurses, and a part time nurse to handle a plethora of physical needs, including, but not limited to, tube feeding, suctioning, monitoring respirators, and dispensing medications. Licensed occupational, speech/language, physical, vision, and music therapist’ address a wide range of the student’s development, including, but not limited to, self-help, feeding, communication, sensory motor issues, motor planning and vision deficits. Ancillary classes such as physical education, music, and art must be adapted to meet the needs of our students.

                                                                                                                   

    Gateway Michael has developed several partnerships with community groups, particularly those who serve people with disabilities. Life Bridge provides programs for our students during both the regular calendar year and the extended school year. Students can also attend a week of camp during the winter, spring and summer. Students can participate in Special Olympics and Challenger Baseball because of generous community partners. Students from DeSmet, Bishop Dubourg, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, and St. Louis University High Schools, have partnered with Gateway Michael to complete community service hours. A former student founded I AM SOMEBODY, an organization that encourages students to be and do their best; thus, not allowing their disabilities to set limitations for them.

    Gateway Michael prides itself on the commitment and dedication of its staff to ensure that, with accommodations, students are given the opportunity to engage in activities that same aged peers participate in. Parents are taught how to advocate for their children in school and in the community.

     

    Gateway Michael School has received several awards, one being a Gold Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for being one of America’s Healthiest Schools. We are one of only eight schools in the nation, and the first school in the state of Missouri to receive this prestigious award.

     

    Our students are challenged, nurtured and supported to maximize their growth and development.