Welcome Class of 2028!

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“Happy is he who places all his joy and happiness in the holy words and works of God, and who leads others to His holy love in joy, happiness, and bliss.”   

Saint Francis of Assisi 

Welcome

HOW TO GET TO KNOW THE AUTHENTIC CULTURE OF A HIGH SCHOOL

A recent conversation found me Googling “how to get to know someone.” The stark, unexpected list that popped up delighted me. “How to Get to Know Someone on a Deeper Level Without a Lot of Small Talk” perfectly describes how to get to know a high school, too. Beyond superlatives and statistics, here’s a list to keep in mind as you discern the right high school for your child: (The list is theirs; the insights are mine:)

1. Ask genuine questions—questions with answers that make a difference for you
2. Focus on questions that further a conversation—listen for clues, then follow up with questions that deepen real understanding
3. Accept awkwardness—Embrace unexpected discoveries and use silent moments to take in info beyond the superficial
4. Actively listen to answers—Pay attention once you ask a question
5. Pay attention to responses—Recognize enthusiasm and details that back up a response. Reading between the lines is sometimes helpful
6. Stay present—Stay with it, resisting distractions
7. Be honest—It takes an open mind (and heart) to digest information and come to a deeper conclusion

Franciscan Virtues. Superior Blue Ribbon Academics. Microsoft Showcase Technology. Community life through a Franciscan lens. This is the authentic culture of St. Francis High School.

Joy, for example, is not a buzzword but a Franciscan virtue we practice at every turn of our day. When Blue Ribbon academics and Microsoft Showcase School technology combine with Franciscan virtues like compassion, simplicity, charity, and hospitality–well, it’s a high school experience that’s impossible to duplicate. Is St. Francis High School right for your child? Only you can decide, but it’s my job to assure you the words we use to describe our school are well-earned, deeply steeped, and rooted in measurable ways.

We welcome our incoming Spartan Class of 2028. We welcome Father Bob Barko, our new School Priest & Chaplain. We warmly welcome you and your child to visit and get to know us on a deeper level. If your seventh grader would like to shadow or your eighth grader needs an admissions consultation, please contact us. We can’t wait to get to know you, too.

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

The Catholic Advantage of More Attention

Catholic Schools are proud to serve parents who desire the highest quality academic instruction for their children. Excellence in academics is the hallmark of a Catholic education. With an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1; an SFHS education is personalized, relevant, and conducive to the success of each individual.

Our expert faculty members know our students well and challenge them to do their best work across a broad and varied curriculum. Teachers are mentors and keep students on track from freshman through senior year.

What are the teachers like?

Passionate. Caring. Dedicated. Resourceful. Committed. Engaging.

Not only do SFHS faculty know their field, they also know their students.

Why is a medium-sized school best?

• SFHS offers the best of both worlds – the familiarity of a small school and the resources and programs of a larger institution.
• SFHS offers an impressive range of academic courses that are enriched by small class sizes.
• SFHS is full to the brim with activities, giving students a plethora of opportunities without getting lost within the masses.
• A Catholic education is unique because it prioritizes community. Everything we do and believe goes back to how we can best serve our students. 

"I Am St. Francis"

The Student Perspective:

What does ATTENTION at SFHS mean to you?

Amanda A. ’26 (St. Walter School) – “As a transfer student, St. Francis High School has shown me what it means to have a strong community and embrace individual attention. Coming from a large public school with little individual attention and few close relationships; St. Francis has been life-changing. Every day I feel close to my teachers, coaches, friends, and peers. I feel as if I have known all of these people my whole life. They truly care so much about us and truly want the best for us. I could not be more thankful for the gift of my Catholic Faith and education. St. Francis has offered me more than I could ever wish for and I am eternally grateful for St. Francis and all it has offered me.”

Luke D. ’26 (Eastview Middle School) – “In middle school, the teachers had a lot harder time connecting with students. Although most of them were still amazing teachers, they were not able to form the personal bonds I have with my teachers because the school was so much larger. Because I can have these connections with my teachers at SFHS, I feel more comfortable asking for help on things and I know I will always have my questions answered. In addition, I feel overall more comfortable in school because my teachers know me, and I know them. Overall, it makes the school feel safer and allows me to work harder academically.”

Kate N. ’24 (Rotolo Middle School) – “To me, more attention at SFHS means building relationships with teachers and getting to know them as a person and not just a teacher. The teachers give the students everything they need to succeed and I feel that the teachers care about me both inside and out of the classroom.”

DJ T. ’24 (St. James the Apostle School) – “Throughout my time at SFHS, I’ve been able to establish great connections with every teacher I’ve had. Day by day, they make sure no students’ thoughts, questions, or problems go unnoticed. This level of teacher-student relationship adds to the community.”

Around Campus This February

Catholic Schools Week – All-School Liturgy

On February 1, we continued our celebration of Catholic Schools Week with an All-School Liturgy. At the liturgy, we recognized our faculty and staff celebrating milestone years and officially welcomed and blessed Fr. Bob Barko as our School Priest and Chaplain!

Faculty/Staff Milestone Years

Peg Kopec (50!); Mary Pratscher '93 (25); John Schuller (25); Kate Kolasinski '95 Doane (20); Sheri Meadows (20); Bob Mamminga (20); Christine Paolella ’08 Dougherty (10); Jenny Stiefel (10); Maria Kazlauskas (5); Kevin Kloss (5); Lyn Schmidt (5); Amy Stumpf (5); and Brendan Tagler (5).

Cheer Team – 10th at IHSA State!

Dance Team – 13th at IHSA State!

National Signing Day

Congratulations to our Spartans headed off to play football at the collegiate level!

Dom B. – University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Andy B. – Benedictine University

Jack D. – Winona State University

Corin G. – Grand Valley State University

Antonio G. – Minnesota State University

Dan T. – Valparaiso University 

You're Invited

“Give It Your All” Dance Team Showcase

February 8th and February 9th; 7:00 p.m., Kuhn Cultural Arts Center