In these pages, you may have read of the struggles the Miriam Foundation endured in our failed attempt to purchase and renovate the site of the B’nai El Synagogue to house Miriam Academy, our rapidly growing high school for students who learn differently. 

This roadblock came at a cost to our organization, both emotionally and financially. Our spirits were low, and the Miriam Foundation was forced to incur non-recoverable costs of lawyers and architects totaling more than $100,000. During this effort, however, Miriam received a tremendous welcome and support from the Village of Westwood residents. For that, we are so very grateful. Many expressed their support for our efforts at Trustee meetings and in writing.

We are happy to announce that we have found a permanent home. Miriam Academy will be located at 1138 North Warson Road, north of Olive Boulevard in Olivette, currently the Epstein Hebrew Academy property. The partnership with Epstein Hebrew Academy has been a positive one, and their school will continue to operate at this location until they move to a new site in January 2020.

The Epstein Hebrew property needs substantial renovations to modernize and customize the facility for our unique learners. Our plan is to begin renovations in Winter 2020, allowing us to open the door for our students and families in August 2020. And so our growth will continue, because the need continues. More brilliant and high-potential high school-aged students who learn differently will now have a place to do so — in a permanent high school. 

Miriam Foundation remains committed to excellence within all of our programs, helping over 1,200 students, in over 100 zip codes, within a 70-mile radius of St. Louis. We will continue to provide more than $1.8 million in tuition assistance to more than half the families we serve, always putting our learners first. Again, these efforts are in addition to opening our new Academy location. As a non-profit, we rely now, more than ever, on the generous financial support of individuals, foundations, and corporations, working in partnership to help us meet the learning needs of these students.

Susie Luten, Miriam Foundation Board President & Andrew Thorp, Executive Director