SFHS Faculty & Staff Recognized For Their Milestone Years of Service
At Catholic Schools Week Liturgy 

Join Us On The St. Francis Path
"Man, not having many souls, but only one,
ought to take so much the more care of it.
 
Saint Francis of Assisi
Welcome
" Look for High School Opportunity that Leads to College Choices"
                                                                                 
This issue, let's look at the word "opportunity." In the world of college admissions, the details of high school come into full focus on college applications, and they help students shine or fall just below the mark. A high school with the right opportunity can make the difference between getting in or having more limited college choices. Students who excel because of a school's distinctive spirit and opportunities will earn excellent college placement. Look for these details when exploring opportunity in high school.

How to Spot Academic Opportunity: Academic opportunity means your child can take or move up to a high school's upper-level classes, usually honors/AP. Colleges like to see student schedules that grow in terms of difficulty, so be sure your child is free to move up to more difficult courses as they show success each year. Each college requires a certain number of honors/AP classes, which is a percentage of how many your high school offers. So schools that offer honors/AP options in a range of areas can help students to excel in areas of academic strength.

How to Spot Extracurricular Opportunity: Students only have so much time, so a high school that builds opportunity to get involved into their structure can be extremely beneficial. Colleges like to see involvement. The Common App has a long row of empty slots, and filling them with interesting pursuits can fortify a student's application. One example, required service and Activity Period at St. Francis give all students the opportunity to accrue activities beyond major sports/arts because it is built into the school's structure.

Seniors earn excellent college placement because SFHS gives them opportunity to excel in a challenging, supportive environment. How does St. Francis fit your student's aspirations? Come visit, schedule a shadow day, or meet me for coffee and a tour while school is in session to learn more.


Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions



"I Am St. Francis"
The Service Perspective: Five Questions for Seniors Josh O., '19 and Caroline Z., '19

1. What co-curricular activities do you participate in?

Caroline: I participate in Varsity girls' soccer, JV cheer, Student Government, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Women's Spirituality Club, and Business Department's Startup Day.
Josh: I participate in the Marching/Pep Band, Music Ensemble, Track and Field, Men's Spirituality Group, and Jazz Band here at St. Francis.
 

2. Describe how your faith has grown/evolved during your four years at SFHS.

Caroline: My faith has significantly grown, especially during this year. The Religion Department and teachers, specifically KRas (Kristen Ras), have shown me a new perspective on religion and served as a role model. My first student Kairos retreat experience in September was the catalyst in my faith journey. Then, because of positive encouragement from the St. Francis community, I was selected to lead Kairos and help classmates along their own journey.
Josh: My experience at Kairos and last year's junior retreat helped my faith grow by seeing all the friendships resulting from both retreats. The retreats at St. Francis give everyone an opportunity to share about themselves and hear about other students, and that's really an amazing thing. The Men's Spirituality Group has also helped my faith grow in the past couple of years. It is a very relaxed environment where students can take a break from school and hang out with fellow students.
 
3. How has St. Francis guided you to be a more faithful and/or service-oriented person?
Caroline: The whole dynamic of the school is centered on service and accepting others. Whether it be tutoring for NHS, helping a teacher, or even serving mandatory service hours, St. Francis pushes students to give back to their community with a plethora of opportunities. The kindness from selfless teachers inspires students to replicate it in their lives by giving back. I began volunteering at an assisted living center in Geneva to fulfill my service requirement, but I continued volunteering because I liked it so much. Also, I traveled on a service trip to Cambodia to promote gender equity. It was heartwarming to receive such positive feedback from the children as we attempted to overcome gender barriers through fair play in soccer. St. Francis has given me confidence to share my talents and time through acts of service.
Josh: St. Francis has guided me to be more faithful and service oriented through the community itself here at St. Francis. Everyone is so encouraging and participates in many activities that are fun and social for everyone. Without this community at St. Francis, I wouldn't be the way I am today.

 

4. What has been most surprising about your SFHS experience so far?

Caroline: The most surprising thing about my St. Francis experience are the relationships I have formed with my teachers. It is remarkable how invested the teachers are, not only in the material, but also in us students. I am so grateful to have such positive influences in my life to look up to, especially Mr. Harper. Taking AP U.S. History sophomore year, I was terrified. But throughout the year and again in junior year AP Government, I was touched to see he cared about more than my grades but also my well-being. Mr. Harper puts faith into action as he teaches every day. My St. Francis experience would not have been complete without the influence of him guiding me in my academic journey and helping me grow as a person.
Josh: The most surprising experience at St. Francis so far is attending and playing at the Music Ensemble's Rock Concert. It is groundbreaking to feel the energy of the crowd through the music being played. This experience will be one I will treasure forever.

5. What are your plans for next year? What one word you would use to describe your feelings toward St. Francis?
Caroline: Next year, I plan to either attend Southern Methodist University or the University of Southern California. I will be majoring in Marketing with a minor in either Psychology or Spanish. I am ADMIRING.
Josh:
My plan for next year is to major in computer engineering at college. I am LIVING.






Only at St. Francis High School
The Power of Three Earns Excellent College Placement

Course Selection + Activity Period + Required Christian Service. These "powerful three" illustrate SFHS's student-friendly approach to excellent college placement. Here is a quick overview, to help parents understand the SFHS structure that helps students explore opportunity and grow in ways that reflect personal potential and the support of a caring community.
 

(1.) Course Planning Educates Parents and Students:

SFHS students register for next year's courses in February, and to match students with the strongest curriculum available to them, Guidance educates parents, too, so they can help with course selection at home. "As colleges continue to step up their course requirements, it is important that students carefully plan their high school program of studies," explains Ms. Bridget Buckley, Director of Guidance and Counseling. Topics at February's parent meeting will cover courses required for all levels of college admission, honors and AP courses, creating a four-year plan, and updates to the SFHS curriculum.


 

(2.) Activity Period and (3.) Required Christian Service Expands Involvement:

When SFHS seniors begin filling out college applications, they soon realize that the opportunities that were part of their St. Francis experience now add exciting color their list of high school activities. Activity Period, for starters, makes involvement easier. Scheduled after school until 3:10 p.m., this brilliant sliver of time allows students to participate in clubs as well as the arts and/or sports. St. Francis students also complete 15 hours of service each year, and with plenty of school-sponsored opportunities, students easily double that, expanding their sense of compassion as well as their list of activities.

Seniors present competitive college applications because SFHS elevates students to their highest potential, in ways both personal and academic. And our successful college placement celebrates a list of schools as textured as the senior class.











St. Francis Speaker Series Invites Prospective Parents

Each year, Guidance and Counseling offers powerful speakers on relevant topics and welcomes prospective parents to attend the events. Scan the list and see what topics may make an impact with your family.
   
Resilience: March 12, 9:00 a.m.
Utilizing the book "Mindset" by Stanford Professor Carol Dweck, the workshop will discuss the benefits of cultivating a growth mindset and shares strategies for encouraging children to pursue challenges and view mistakes as opportunities for development. By Nicole Burmingham, Nurturing Wisdom
 
Exploring Ways to Restore, Replenish, and Refocus our Hearts and Minds: April 30, 8:00 a.m.
Our world is relentless and restless. What is the antidote when we feel uneasy, unquiet, and agitated? Explore ways to allow God to restore, replenish, and refocus our hearts and minds. By Diane Mercadante, Pastoral Minister at St. Francis High School
 
Direct questions to
Mrs. Rupp, arupp@sfhscollegeprep.org or
Ms. Ras, kras@sfhscollegeprep.org.
 


 
Connect



 

Upcoming Events
 
Campus Tours:
Call (630) 668-5800 for reservations

Shadow at SFHS
 Click here to register

 
March 1
STEM Day
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Click here to register

March 9
SFHS Auction
"ROADTRIP 2019"

New Families Invited!

March 14
Spring Musical Middle School Night
"Big Fish"

April 4
Class of 2023 Spartan Family Welcome Night

April 11
Information Session for Prospective Parents

April 18
Art Showcase Middle School Night, 6:00 p.m., Students may submit art in the Middle School category of SFHS's Juried Showcase
Email Mrs. Doane for details


 

2018-2019 Viewbook


Admissions Video



Feast of St. Francis
We hope you enjoy our talented choir singing the prayer of St. Francis




Thanks for reading 

 
Maureen
Isphording

Director of Admissions
Contact me at misphording@ sfhscollegeprep.org or (630) 668-5800x1120
 
St. Francis High School Fast Facts

COLLEGE PREPARATORY: 
Enrollment: 720
CLASS OF 2018-
100% of graduates were accepted to colleges or universities
Earned $33 million in college scholarships

ACADEMIC
72% of faculty have advanced degrees
Class of 2018 average ACT score = 27 
117 Full year and semester course offerings
20 Honors courses
14 Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses

CO-CURRICULAR: ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS
98% student participation in at least one activity
24 sports programs
10th Place Division 2A State Math Team
65% of students participate in the performing arts
66% 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

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.   

For more information, fees, route schedules or questions, please contact Bob Gorski at (630) 668-5800 x1138 or at 





St. Francis High School, 2130 West Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone (630)668-5800 | Fax (630) 668-5893 | www.sfhscollegeprep.org