Join Us On The SFHS Path
“True progress quietly and persistently
moves along without notice.”
Saint Francis of Assisi
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Welcome
Community Motivates Freshmen
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Each August, I begin to hear rumblings about freshman academics, and funny enough, no answer seems to satisfy. Some parents fear school will be too hard for “yesterday’s middle schoolers,” while others believe only crushing levels of stress and homework will measure success. Here are some insights into the St. Francis High School experience and how “community” motivates freshmen to achieve, one class at a time.
When students from 48 grade schools come together as freshman classmates, St. Francis High School relies on individual classroom teachers to begin building each student’s connection to the SFHS community. Teachers nurture and challenge their freshmen, motivating students academically by fostering camaraderie, cohesiveness, and accountability.
Depending on their middle school preparation, some students may find a class more difficult while other students may not. Common examples of this spectrum include grammar-heavy freshman English and honors-level science and math. But no matter where students fall, teachers meet them where they are, then motivate them to reach higher. Getting to know teachers, doing homework, and joining activities to meet friends all help students to acclimate and succeed, in and out of the classroom.
It all takes time to unfold. Students begin in classes determined by their entrance exam and proficiency test scores, but sometimes adjustments are necessary. The excellent Counseling Department will help students find the right academic place and also offer support groups to ease academic and social transitions. Our students begin their college prep journey surrounded by vibrant teachers and friends, involved in numerous activities, and growing in ways that may seem gradual, but all add up to develop self-confident and motivated college-bound young people. It’s an exciting ride!
Maureen Isphording
Director of Admissions
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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.
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THIS ISSUE’S FEATURE:
COMMUNITY at Freshman Orientation
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What happens when you send your freshman off for the first day of high school? If parents were to peek at SFHS, this is what they’d see:
Morning Business—Details about homeroom, locks, handbooks, ID pictures, and lots of information mixed with camaraderie and help from older students. Freshmen meet National Honor Society and Student Ambassador Leadership Team students who play some icebreaker games, then they hear about various activities at school. A keynote address, led by members of the Pastoral Ministry and Student Ministry Teams, introduced students to Saint Francis of Assisi and SFHS expectations, oftentimes referred to as “The St. Francis Way”.
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Lunch + Scavenger Hunt + Schedules—Freshmen eat with their homeroom, sitting as a group and getting acquainted, before running through campus on a scavenger hunt, then going to all classes.
Freshmen have the school to themselves – “Feedback tells us it is helpful for freshmen to run through their schedule, find all their classrooms, and even get lost without upper class interference,” says Kate Michel ’92 Kowalski, SFHS Co-Director of Activities. “We believe it’s best to let freshmen acclimate to the building before the whole student body comes in. It helps them get the attention they deserve and interact with each other and their new teachers.”
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Spartan Spirit—St. Francis High School sends Freshmen off with a pep rally to learn the school song and Spartan traditions. “Our hope for the students is that they leave with a smile having met some new faces, and they feel confident having met their teachers and navigating the building,” Kowalski concludes. “All and all it is a great day to set the tone, get a great vibe in the building and our community, and kick-start the energy we need to begin the year!”
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"I Am St. Francis"
The Student Leader Perspective:
What does the SFHS COMMUNITY mean to you?
Why did you want to be a student leader at Freshman Orientation?
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Alec K. ’24 (Immaculate Conception Grade School): The SFHS community is very important to me because it has never failed to give me a sense of inclusion through leadership opportunities that allow me to grow as a student both academically and socially.
I wanted to be a student leader at Freshman Orientation because, although I did not have a formal freshman orientation due to the pandemic, I remember the sense of inclusion I felt through leaders who guided me through my first day at St. Francis and wanted to offer that feeling to incoming freshman.
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Anya T. ’26 (St. Walter School): To me, the student community means the unity of every student at SFHS. The community at SFHS is unmatched, and one that I am very passionate about. The students at SFHS are not only able to connect through academics, but also a wide variety of clubs for varied interests, and faith. Faith is a large part of who we are at SFHS because we value acts of service, kindness, and inclusivity, which is why I am so proud to call myself a Spartan.
I wanted to be a student leader at Freshman Orientation to teach the incoming freshmen what we value here at SFHS, and why that is an integral part of being a Spartan. I am looking forward to the 2023-2024 school year, and meeting all of the new freshman!
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Around Campus This August
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All of our students have arrived for the 2023-24 school year...and we're so glad they're here! Last week, SFHS students, faculty, staff, and parents celebrated our first all-school liturgy of the year.
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The ribbon cutting and blessing of the Loughman Family Tennis Center was held at St. Francis High School on Monday, August 7. Thank you to the Loughman family for making this project possible!
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Our Alumni Pickleball tournament was a smash hit!
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Coach Remus celebrated **500 wins** last spring, and this week, was awarded by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the milestone! Congratulations to Coach Remus for this well-deserved recognition in honor of your leadership in coaching and dedication to Spartan Softball.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Registration Opens for All Events 9/1/23
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Parent Coffee Information Session
September 21, 9:00 a.m.
November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Football Middle School Night
September 22, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball Middle School Night
October 3, 6:00 p.m.
Fall Play Middle School Night
October 12, 7:00 p.m.
OPEN HOUSE
October 19, 6:30 p.m.
November 5, 1:00 p.m.
Rise Up Leadership Conference
(for 8th grade students)
November 11, 9:30 a.m.
Class of 2027
ENTRANCE EXAM
Saturday, December 2, 8:00 a.m.
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Maureen
Isphording
Director of Admissions
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26
Average ACT Score Over Last Five Years
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Daily Mass and
Monthly All-School Mass
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15 Hours of Christian Service Required
Each Year
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Microsoft Showcase School
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16:1 Student:Teacher Ratio
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123 Full Year & Semester Courses
18 Honors Courses
19 Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
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97% of Students Participate in at Least One Activity
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24 Sports Programs
78% of Students Participate in at Least One Sport
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65% of Students Participate in the Performing Arts
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Bus Transportation Available
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Click each department below to learn more about academic opportunities at SFHS
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