St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter

Join Us On The SFHS Path

"Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

SFHS Entrance Exam – December 7: Your Child is Invited!

The St. Francis High School Entrance Exam is just around the corner on December 7, and if you've been considering a future here for your child, this is the perfect opportunity to explore what makes SFHS unique. We warmly invite your child(ren) to join us on this important day and discover how our college-prep community can support their growth and success. If you've been thinking about the exam, think of this as your "First Look" into the three key reasons why St. Francis High School could be the right fit for your family:

1. Your Succes, Our Priority:

Your child’s journey at St. Francis High School begins with personalized support. From day one, each student is paired with a dedicated school counselor who helps them set academic and college goals, forge lasting friendships, and engage with the school community. Freshman year marks the start of college exploration with tools like Naviance, while our faculty and counselors work closely with students and families to ease the transition to high school and prepare for the future. St. Francis nurtures a strong sense of belonging, fostering success both academically and socially.

2. Personalized Learning, Proven Results:

St. Francis High School is proud to offer a Blue Ribbon-accredited academic program that’s recognized for excellence—and a focus on individualized learning. Only 1% of schools in the nation have a Blue Ribbon designation. As the only high school in Wheaton (public or private) and the only Catholic high school in the Western Suburbs to ever receive this prestigious honor, we are committed to meeting every student’s learning style. Our 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio and access to cutting-edge technology—including Microsoft Showcase School resources—ensure that all students are supported in their academic growth. With 100% college acceptance, SFHS sets every student up to go further.

3. A Community of Involvement:

At St. Francis High School, every student finds their place. We have a strong culture of involvement, with 95% of students participating in at least one extracurricular activity. Whether through athletics, the arts, or one of our 30+ clubs, students explore their passions and build lifelong friendships. The unique Activity Period—held every school day from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m.—offers students a chance to unwind, meet with teachers, catch up on assignments, or relax with friends before afternoon practices. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the day and stay engaged in our vibrant community.

A School Where Students Belong:

At St. Francis High School, students not only thrive academically but grow spiritually and personally, grounded in the Franciscan virtues that shape our Catholic mission. If your child is seeking a high school experience that challenges, supports, and inspires them, we encourage you to register for the Entrance Exam today.

Taking the exam is a valuable experience for your child, and we are happy to offer scholarship opportunities for students that take the test at SFHS. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!

Go Spartans,

Patrick Jacobsen, 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.

COLLEGE COUNSELING RESOURCES

A strong support system is critical during the teenage years. Our low student-to-faculty (16:1) and student-to-counselor (140:1) ratios mean we get to know and appreciate each student. The American School Counseling Association recommendation for students-to-counselor ratio is 250:1. Students partner with school and college counselors, focusing on academic success as an underclassman and college prep before graduation. 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 – EXPLORE: 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 – ADVOCATE: 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 – VISIT: Interest Engagement & College Discovery

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

- 12th Grade – APPLY: College Selection & Scholarship Application

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

Annual College Planning Workshops

College Application & Essay Writing
College Financial Aid Information Program
College Planning
NCAA Eligibility
Registration & Course Selection

"I Am St. Francis"

What does the Counseling Department mean to you?

Colt A. ‘25: “I am extremely grateful for the SFHS Counseling Department to make me feel prepared and comfortable for my future college decisions. Filling out the common application and getting everything ready to submit to colleges is a very stressful time, and without the counseling department guiding me through and answering all of the questions I had, I would not have been able to do it all. During my uncertainty of pursuing an athletic career or not, my counselor has assured me that no matter what I chose, I will be a great fit at the colleges I applied to and this made me feel much better about my decision. Ultimately, they have really been an important part of my applications and have made me feel good about my future in college.”

Kris T. ‘25: “Throughout my high school career I was just like many other kids, unorganized and lost in the process of freshman year. What was truly special for me was the help provided from the counselors office. My sophomore year, I met multiple times with the department in order to find guidance while I was looking at colleges, and they were incredibly available and helpful. When time came to apply my senior year, I was able to ask the counselors anything, and they were able to guide me in the right direction. I am so grateful as they helped me plan for my future in college and beyond.”

Amelia J. ‘25: ” Something that I love about the counseling department is how much they have helped me in my college process. The applications can be confusing at times, and I was able to email my counselor and ask her to help me with anything I had questions on. She had me in her office helping me immediately on the same day I emailed. They've made this process extremely stress free and have even helped me make my final decision of attending Belmont University. I can now enjoy the rest of my senior year without having to stress about where I'll be going.”

Alicia A. ‘25: “Having support is one of the most important things you need in life. Luckily, at St. Francis, the counselors are always willing to be there for you at any time. From my experience through my college application process, it was hard to decide where I wanted to go to school. I remember going in for a meeting because everything had gotten so stressful. Thanks to my counselor, she helped me narrow down my schools and my major! Having their support shows how much they care about us setting and achieving academic and future goals.”

Around Campus

Football State Run

Our Spartan football team defeated Sycamore this past Saturday, by a score of 10-0 in the Quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 5A State Tournament! SFHS now travels to Nazareth Academy in a rematch with the Roadrunners (SFHS won 39-36 in Week 9), on Saturday, November 23 at 1:00 p.m. Good luck Spartans!

ILMEA Musicians

Congratulations to our students who were selected as ILMEA musicians! This prestigious recognition is reserved for the best musicians in the state!

Camila D. ’25 – Senior Treble Chorus

Amelia J. ’25 – Senior Vocal Jazz III

Sarah K. ’25 – Senior Treble Chorus

Madalyn K. ’26 – Senior Treble Chorus

Matthew L. ’26 – Senior Orchestra

Lauren R. ‘26 – Senior Chorus

Victoria T. ’25 – Senior Treble Chorus

Flag Football All-State

Congratulations to Allie S. ’27 for being named SFHS’s first ever All-State recipient in Flag Football!

National Signing Day

Congratulations to our four senior student-athletes who signed their letter of intent in the first National Signing Day of the year! Spartan Nation is proud of you!

Joey G. – Baseball – Missouri Southern State University

Zack M. – Baseball – St. Xavier University

Elle W. – Soccer – Northern Illinois University

Addy H. – Volleyball – University of Wisconsin

Girls Cross Country Finish 9th in State

Congratulations to our Spartan Girls Cross Country team, who finished 9th as a team in the state meet. Erin H. ’27 placed 4th, and Elena M. ’27 placed 5th individually!

Robotics Team

The SFHS Robotics Team competed in their first meet earlier in November, making school history as the first ever competition for our inaugural Robotics Team.