The school's strong educational and spiritual commitment helps the boys develop their mental skills and self-esteem. They will definitely need these skills soon, because nearly all of the school's graduates move on to the demanding workload of college-prep courses in high school. To the families of Nativity students, the school offers more than a solid education for their sons. Spanish is the native tongue for many of the parents, and English is a greater obstacle than computers ever will be. Two nights each week, the school offers English proficiency classes in a traditional classroom setting.
Participation is up from last year.
Indeed, the families are a critical part of the success of Nativity's students. While Nativity's small classes and close attention give the boys the chance to prove themselves in the classroom, parents are expected to follow up at home. The temptations of the streets are constant, so parental involvement in the boys' lives is essential. Nativity holds high expectations for its boys and they rise to the challenge. In 1996, the school proudly graduated its first class of eighth graders, ten boys who went on to some of Milwaukee's most academically challenging high schools.