We are parents of a 1st grader and started at St. Francis when she was in kindergarten.  Coming from a different preschool, joining a class that had already been together for a year, and starting in the middle of the pandemic, we were a bit apprehensive about our daughter meeting people and feeling welcomed by a new school community.  But the St. Francis community was amazing. From the first day, she was greeted by name at drop off by the principal, teachers, and staff.  She was included in activities, staff helped her meet people and make friends, and she was accepted as part of the group by her class.   The apprehension about starting at a new school turned into excitement about going to school each day, and our family could not be happier with our experience at St. Francis.

​

We really appreciate the emphasis on the Schoolwide Learning Expectations and the focus on educating the whole person.  The academics have been outstanding, and our daughter has been challenged to do her best academically each day.  But in addition to strong academics, we appreciate how St. Francis has built a community that allows students to be unique, ask questions, and acknowledge the diversity of the world around them.  Students are taught to think for themselves; not that there is one correct way to think.  Difficult conversations are had directly with students, not avoided. St. Francis emphasizes a curriculum of kindness, understanding, open-mindedness, and acceptance of all people, and there is a focus on how our differences make our community better and more interesting.  These are not empty words on the school’s website or mission statement; there is a top-down commitment, starting with the principal and staff, and reinforced with the students, to recognize and discuss the diversity and uniqueness of each person’s experience, background, and ideas.

We could not be happier at St. Francis, and are looking forward to many years ahead at the school, Mike & Flo, March 2022 (Parents of a 1st Grader).