KIPP-like Catholic School in the Central Region?

Have you ever heard of NativityMiguel Network of Schools?  I hadn't until I read a blurb in the Central District News about a feasibility committee doing surveys in the Central region this Thursday and Saturday. They have been working on this initiative for at least a year. 

NativityMiguel was started in July 2006 to create a network of Catholic schools throughout the country and specifically target low-income students in struggling neighborhoods.  They are a 5-8 model with 64 schools in 27 states. 

Now normally, I would not be writing about a private (and religious to boot) school.  But this fascinates me because of how much it parallels KIPP (except for cost).

Like KIPP:

• tries to reach mostly struggling low-income students; Kipp - 85% free/reduced lunch, NM 89% free/reduced lunch

• mostly a 5-8 model (although KIPP has a few high schools and elementary schools)

• KIPP is funded mostly through federal, state and local taxes as well as private donations (15%); NativityMiguel is funded mostly through Catholic groups with a tuition of about $500 a month (about 3% of the cost)- both spend about $14k per student

• both have extended day and year programs; KIPP runs from 7:30 am- 5 p.m. and NativityMiguel runs from from 8 am to 6 pm, both with summer learning. 

• college-focus for all students

• one variation?  Class size.  KIPP runs between 27-32 students while NativityMiguel runs 17-20.  Both have smaller school sizes.

• NativityMiguel's websites avoid the question of how one enrolls but you don't have to be Catholic to enroll (but they are faith-based).   So I'm assuming they can pick and choose.  They also say nothing about Special Education or ELL.  KIPP takes all students as a public school but they have been dinged for counseling out students they don't want to keep/exiting students they feel are a problem.

If this does come to pass, it will be interesting to see what effect a school of this type would have on that neighborhood.  The NM Seattle website says they would be in the Bailey-Gatzert/Washington area.