St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter-9/8/2022

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“Happy is he who attributes all he has to God.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

“Catholic Schools and the Common Good”

This week, I was pointed in the direction of “Catholic Schools and the Common Good,” a book recently reissued from its release in 1993. Authors Anthony Bryk, Valerie Lee, and Peter Holland research how Catholic schools are organized and articulate reasons for achievement regardless of a student’s background.

Yes, the findings are amazing, but it is the language that astounded me; these authors could have been writing about St. Francis High School. They cite the value of community, the mindset that all students can learn, and the power of religious mission as explanation for high student achievement. Here are a few more of their reasons Catholic schools graduate successful students:

Opportunity for equitable achievement based on limited tracking and a core curriculum open to all students.
A strong community, including school activities that allow teachers and students to interact creating an encouraging atmosphere.
Decentralized governance, or a loose organization that empowers Catholic schools to make decisions that directly benefit the school and individual students.
Catholic theology, which researchers found benefits students in two concrete ways—with teachers who focus on caring for the whole student, not just academic growth, and school leaders who believe in and maintain the mission and focus of the community.

This is St. Francis High School. Catholic schools have a priceless value and are worthy of all efforts to cultivate because of how they influence each child. “Catholic Schools and the Common Good” provides further motivation to support independent Catholic schools so we can continue educating all students for the common good. Be sure to register your child for one or all of our September Middle School Nights. Plus, your 8th grader is welcome to come for a fall shadow visit to get to know SFHS and meet students and teachers. You may register for all events here.

Sincerely,

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

Only at St. Francis High School

Experience the SFHS difference, which offers distinct advantages that provide students with a well-rounded education to prepare them for a successful future.

This Issue’s Feature:

COLLEGE PREP – Counseling Resources

SFHS does things differently and more intentionally as we walk with our students on their journey to college and adulthood. We meet each student where they are academically and provide support to foster student success. As a college preparatory school, SFHS takes great pride in its highly successful approach to guiding students and families through the college process.

The SFHS Four Year Plan

• 9th Grade: Interest Inventory & Career Discovery

During 1:1 sessions with their counselor, freshman students develop a four-year plan and begin to build their college application portfolios. Interest and career inventories are completed using the Naviance program.

• 10th Grade: Portfolio & Resume Building

Sophomore students connect profile attributes and interests with potential future college decisions. Counselors help students add to their individualized portfolios for future applications.

• 11th Grade: Interest Engagement & College Discovery

Junior students work closely with their counselor to narrow potential college choices and ensure SFHS course selections meet their future colleges' specific and sometimes unique demands.

• 12th Grade: College Selection & Scholarship Application

Our senior students are prepared for the application process and selection after building solid portfolios and resumes customized to their identified schools.

Annual College Planning Workshops

• College Planning & Application Parent Information Session

• College Financial Aid Information Program

• College Essay Writing Program

• NCAA Eligibility Information Program (every other year)

• College Admission Testing Information Program

Additional Services & Resources

• Parent Coffee with the Counselors – Freshman Year: Making the Transition to High School; Sophomore: Maintaining a Strong Profile; Junior: College Search; Senior: College Admission & Scholarships

• Course selection planning and scheduling

• Classroom presentations (4x/year)

• Academic, personal, college, and career counseling

• Scholarship assistance

• College admissions visits

• Referrals and job contacts

• Academic assistance with accommodation plans

• ACT prep class partnerships

Comprehensive Support

• Support Groups: Girls Empowerment, Grief, Transfer Students, Freshman Support, General Support

• Support Programs: school adjustment, study skills, health maturation

• Stress Management Events: therapy dogs, meditation

• General Counseling Events: executive functioning workshops, mental health speakers

• Programming for Mental Health Awareness Week and Suicide Prevention Week

"I Am St. Francis"

The SFHS Counseling staff ensures comprehensive, ongoing, professional assistance. Counselors work 1:1 with students to ensure the journey is rewarding and they learn as much about themselves as they do about life after high school.

The Student, Parent, & Alumni Perspective:

What does the COUNSELING DEPARTMENT mean to you?

Kevin H. ’23: Counseling has helped me tremendously throughout my college application process. Whether it’s getting help with teacher recommendations or seeing what schools fit me best, counseling really simplified the whole college process.

James C. ’24: “The Counseling Department has been great to me. My counselor helped me with my schedule throughout the entire summer and made sure that I got the classes that I wanted!”

Bella S. ’24: “The counselors at SFHS are amazing! My counselor is always there for her students. I know I can always depend on her to help me out!”

Alumna Alyssa Coladipietro ’21 (Vanderbilt University): “The St. Francis Counseling Department went above and beyond for me my senior year of high school. I went to see Mrs. Buckley every day, and she helped me with my Common App and narrowed down my college choices. She also proofread all my essays and helped me apply for scholarships. She significantly reduced the stress of the college admissions process because I knew I could always go see her if I had questions. I could not have survived the process and gained admission to my top choice on a scholarship without her help!”

Parent Eileen Tibble: “The Sophomore Parent Coffee with the Counselors was extremely valuable in providing resources and guidance to successfully navigate sophomore year. I feel fortunate to have counselors who demonstrate compassion, enthusiasm and truly care about our students and their families.”