Why The Nicholas Center Matters
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
When I speak about the students whose lives I have seen impacted by The Nicholas Center at Hill-Murray, it is hard not to get emotional. As many of you know, The Nicholas Center exists for students who learn differently and who, too often, have come to believe that those differences define their limits. It is at Hill-Murray that those assumptions are gently and faithfully undone.
Within The Nicholas Center, I see small miracles every day.
I watch teachers slow down, meet students where they are, and refuse to give up on them. I see the relief on the faces of parents who are worried that their child might never feel successful in school. I have seen the quiet confidence of a student who finally realizes, “I can do this.”
I recently spoke with a young girl who had spent years trying to stay invisible in the classroom. What she thought about herself broke my heart. Reading was simply overwhelming. Asking for help felt risky. School was something to painfully endure rather than enjoy. In The Nicholas Center, she was met with patience, structure, and belief, and slowly began to believe in herself.
Over time, something changed. She began to raise their hand. Confidence replaced fear. Learning became something she could engage with rather than avoid. When asked what felt different, she simply said, “I don’t feel like I’m behind anymore.” The Nicholas Center reflects our Catholic belief that students are not problems to be fixed, but people to be supported in mind, body, and spirit.
That is the quiet power of The Nicholas Center.
This is not a place where expectations are lowered. It is a place where students are supported, challenged, and truly known. It is a place where hope is often restored. Each day, I see our faith in action through educators who walk alongside our students and refuse to give up on them. Students move on from The Nicholas Center confident in their abilities and have matriculated at colleges such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, the University of Michigan, Loyola, and the University of Notre Dame.
More than anything, The Nicholas Center reminds us of who we are at our core. We never give up on kids. It exists for the student who works twice as hard to keep up, for the child who has heard “you’re behind” far too often, and for the family praying their child will finally be seen. Within the walls of The Nicholas Center, something sacred happens. Fear gives way to confidence. Frustration turns into progress. And hope, sometimes fragile at first, takes root.
The support of so many donors and community champions makes this work possible. Because of them, students who once doubted themselves are discovering confidence, and families who carry constant worry about their child are finding peace. When we invest in The Nicholas Center, we are investing in students who remind us that education is not simply about keeping pace, but about helping every child move forward with confidence and hope.
As interest in The Nicholas Center continues to grow, I invite you to help us share these opportunities with families who may benefit. In the coming year, we are offering both our Summer Reading Program and the Brilliant Strengths Course for younger students in grades K–5. We know the earlier we can help students who learn differently, the better! Registration details are included in the informational letters linked below, and our team is always available to answer questions. We will also be hosting a Dyslexia Simulation on February 11, which many families may find meaningful and informative.
Thank you for your continued partnership, your belief in our students, and your support of this important work.
With deep gratitude,
Melissa Dan, Ed.S.
Hill-Murray School President
Click HERE for the Summer Reading Program Informational Letter
Click HERE for the Brilliant Strengths Course Informational Letter
Click HERE to register for the Dyslexia Simulation on February 11th
Click HERE if you would like to learn more about The Nicholas Center
If you would like to support The Nicholas Center, please Click HERE.