Congratulations to the cast and crew of
"The SpongeBob Musical"
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Join Us On The SFHS Path
“Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you
nothing that you have received only what you have given:
A heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”
Saint Francis of Assisi
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Welcome
A teacher recently asked her sophomore students, “What advice would you give your eighth-grade self?” The question got me wondering. What advice would their parents have appreciated when choosing a high school? I believe the following three factors can help parents see how SFHS prepares students for academic success and excellent college placement.
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Academic structure. The SFHS Program of Studies will help you envision your child’s journey and understand the academic opportunity SFHS affords students.
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Courses and access to them. SFHS students may choose among 17 Advanced Placement (AP), 19 honors, and foundational classes as well as AP Art and Business & Technology options. They may start to take honors and advanced options as freshmen and APs as sophomores. They also can move up to higher level classes any year without tracking. Seniors present competitive college applications because SFHS has elevated them to their highest academic potential.
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Technology. Distinguished as a Microsoft Showcase School, St. Francis uses the Surface Pro device for each student. This valuable tool is designed for classroom use, suits various learning styles, teaches marketable computer skills, and brings learning to life in countless, unique ways.
“A school’s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the sense of the good, the sense of the beautiful,” said Pope Francis in May 2014. A college-prep experience the way high school should be—this is the SFHS path.
If you would like to discuss the SFHS path further, please call or visit any time for an admissions meeting and school tour. Register for a Talk & Tour at https://sfhstour.youcanbook.me/.
Shadowing provides prospective students the opportunity to experience the campus and culture first-hand. St. Francis High School is moving from the Hybrid School Setting to daily in-person learning beginning Monday, April 26, 2021. As a result, for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, there are two shadow visit opportunities for students in grades 7-11:
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Virtual Shadow Visit – for more information and to register, click here.
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After School Shadow Visit – from 2:15-3:15 p.m., visiting students will attend a brief admissions presentation and then ‘shadow’ a current SFHS ambassador. Shadow guests will step into our student's shoes, walk their schedule, and learn about the exceptional SFHS curriculum and co-curricular opportunities. For more information and to register, click here.
We look forward to meeting you!
-Maureen Isphording,
Director of Admissions
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"I Am St. Francis"
The Alumni Perspective: Five Questions for brothers Jeff Schrader ‘01 and Mike Schrader ‘01
1. What college(s) did you attend after graduating SFHS? What is your current occupation?
Jeff: University of Iowa. Owner and Vice President of Precision Enterprises, Inc.
Mike: I attended the University of Iowa. I graduated from the Business school with a degree in Marketing. I am currently the owner of Precision Enterprises Inc. A manufacturer of aluminum castings.
2. How did SFHS prepare you for your university studies and career?
Jeff: The support from the teachers was huge. They were always there to push and help me. It built up my confidence and made me feel ready for the next step.
Mike: Right from the start I felt very prepared. The classes, instruction, and social dynamic that SFHS provided made the college transition seamless.
3. How has your SFHS education and student experience impacted your life?
Jeff: I changed a lot from my Freshmen year to my Senior year. I knew it was important to do well in school, but until I got to SFHS I did not know how to apply what I was learning. SFHS taught me the value of education and the discipline to succeed at school. These traits stay with you as you move through college and into the workforce.
Mike: It would have to be the relationships I made while at SFHS. Not only am I still very good friends with many people from my graduating class, I have also made strong connections in the business community with SFHS ties. Being back in the western suburbs I have ran into numerous people through work or my children’s school who have had a connection with SFHS. Whether it is direct or indirect the discussion of SFHS always brings a smile to people’s faces.
4. What do you appreciate the most about your time at SFHS?
Jeff: The lifelong friendships you develop and the experiences and bonding from the sports I played. The fun and the laughs during class and sports will always be with me.
Mike: I think the community is what I appreciate the most. I felt like the teachers, students and families strongly pushed you to succeed. The encouragement and drive have lasted with me.
5. What are you proud to be an SFHS alum?
Jeff: The uniqueness of St. Francis and the friendships I still have.
Mike: I am most proud of the reputation that SFHS has. I enjoy discussing my experiences and encouraging others to look into SFHS.
6. What is one word that encapsulates your SFHS experience?
Jeff: Rewarding.
Mike: Family.
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Only at St. Francis High School
A Parent’s Guide to Opportunity in SFHS Science
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Q: How does science prepare students for college?
A: Rigorous course loads and comprehensive classes.
“Our ultimate goal is exposure,” says Department Chair Patty Dahle. “We want our students to experience physical, chemical, and life sciences as intensely and practically as possible. In this way, we hope to help them find what they love most about the sciences and to provide opportunities to pursue it further if they choose.” Courses focus on STEM, use engineering and investigative models, and are heavily based in math. All students can structure a mix of foundational, honors, and AP coursework to complement their interests, abilities, and goals. Here’s an inside look.
Department Overview: The Science Department curriculum affords students the opportunity to gain knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of scientific concepts. The sequence of courses develop the concepts of physical, chemical, and biological laws from the more simple to the more complex incorporating a variety of instructional methods and laboratory experiences. An emphasis is placed on implementing analytical skills of scientific study and measurement while exhibiting the ability to problem solve and integrate technology in both scientific research and lab-based activities. Through the utilization of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the science curriculum engages students in authentic tasks that require integration across the STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) disciplines and support the development and application of conceptual knowledge, reasoning, critical thinking, creative expression, and problem solving.
Science Department Chairperson, Patty Dahle: All our courses are focused on STEM learning and meet NGSS standards. All are conversant in the language of mathematics. We use the latest in technology to be as cutting edge as possible, and we are inquiry-based and hands-on in every way.
Also, our elective opportunities, such as Forensics, Environmental Science, and Engineering, focus on project-based learning. None of these courses feature traditional testing or final examinations. Additionally, our Anatomy and Physiology course is geared toward careers in medicine and health sciences. As a cumulative project, the students ‘graduate’ from medical school and, as part of their final grade, must keep four simulated patients alive for the last three weeks. It works well in incorporating classroom learning into real-world applications.
Our AP courses evolve under College Board guidelines and, as a result, our AP test score average show regular increases. In fact, our test averages tend to significantly exceed those of the State of Illinois.
Science Course Sequencing
Graduation requirement: Three credits, must include
Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
What Science lesson have you particularly enjoyed?
- “The biome project from freshman year was my favorite because it was a group project at the beginning of the year. I got to collaborate with new classmates to create a fun project together!” – Ella Champagne ‘23
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“I loved my stoichiometry lesson because there was a lab that had to do with sandwiches (not real ones, unfortunately), and it better helped my understanding of coefficients.” – Lucy Vung Nu ‘23
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“Dissection because I want to go into animal medicine, so I was able to see what I was able to see what the inside of an animal looks like.” – Isabella Malachowski ‘22
How has a Science teacher helped you better understand the curriculum?
- “They are always here for me if I do not understand something.” – Maggie Popow ‘23
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“My teacher has really allowed me to think outside of the topics in class and apply them to my life. An example of this is when he inspired me to take part in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge where I tied for 2nd!” – Gianni Petrillo ‘21
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“My teachers have gone above and beyond to assist students in their understanding of concepts and material. They always offer extra help for students if we need further explanation on something.” – Xander Rousonelos ‘22
A Sample of Experiences that Complement the Department
- Engineering Club
- Evergreen Ecology Club
- Scholastic Bowl
- Math Team
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Beyond Admissions Events
You're Invited!
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UPCOMING EVENTS*
*In order to prioritize the health and wellness of our community, visit events will take place in a limited capacity while observing social distancing and safety measures. Please understand that we may need to revise or cancel visits as we monitor COVID updates.
Talk & Tour
Shadow–Reimagined
Summer Camps
VIRTUAL VISIT
Campus Tour
Shadow Visit
Information Session
One-on-One
Virtual Campus Tour
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Maureen
Isphording
Director of Admissions
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SFHS Featured on Fox 32 Pep Rally Friday
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Feast of St. Francis
We hope you enjoy our talented choir singing the prayer of St. Francis
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120 Full year and semester course offerings
19 Honors courses
17 Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses
CO-CURRICULAR: ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS
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24 sports programs
65% of students participate in the performing arts
77% of students participate in athletic programs
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Provides opportunity for prayer and worship, retreats, justice and service, ministry leadership formation, pastoral care, and community building
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SFHS Bus Service
St. Francis High School offers bus transportation. The school provides two-way bus service in the northern, western and southern suburbs, with students arriving to St. Francis High School by 7:25 a.m. and departing school after the Activity Period at 3:15 p.m.
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