1. Children at SFHS? What grade school did your children attend? Describe the process of selecting SFHS with your children.

Jeanette & Rod: Elie, '18, and Caroline, '21, both graduated from Hill Middle School in Naperville, District 204. Coming from a top-rated school district, we assumed our children would attend our local public high school. Elie initiated the idea of St. Francis in 8th grade after hearing a presentation. A conversation then started in our family about Catholic education. Elie was very academically successful and involved in athletics and activities. She was open to new friends and a new atmosphere. In addition to academics, we decided on St. Francis for a life-centered focus. When it then came to Caroline, we assumed she would also enroll at St. Francis because we were so happy, but she thought she would go on to public school. Then she shadowed at St. Francis, and it made an impression on her. She also attended several SFHS summer camps prior to attending in the fall, and she made friends, which enabled a smooth transition. She was sold! 
Lori & Joe: This is our 10th year at St. Francis. Our oldest, Connor, graduated in 2013, Ian graduated in 2017, and Logan will graduate in 2021. They all attended St. John the Baptist in Winfield, but Logan attended both St. John's and St. Irene's. Sending our boys to Catholic high school seemed like the obvious progression. We briefly considered the public high school with our oldest son but allowed him to weigh in on the decision. After he shadowed at St. Francis, we then all attended the open house and agreed St. Francis was the best choice. After the positive experience our first son had, the decision was easy and natural for all of us, and our next two boys couldn't wait to attend St. Francis!

 

2. What has been most surprising about your SFHS experience as a parent?

Jeanette & Rod: What we find surprising at SFHS is that so many students are involved in such a variety of activities. Their interests are so varied and the school is accommodating to many of their needs. We have also really enjoyed getting to know other parents and their children. We believe our daughters have made lifelong friends. 
Lori & Joe: The sense of community at St. Francis is beyond what we ever could have expected. Among students, staff, and families, there is a strong feeling of pride, support, faith and friendship. We have been a part of this community for 10 years, and this is something that has always remained a common thread.

 

3. What do you consider to be some of the most important characteristics of a high school community, and how does SFHS measure up?

Jeanette & Rod: We think an important characteristic of being happy and successful at school is being included, welcomed, comfortable, and challenged. SFHS fits this model for our family. Our daughters would be successful academically at most schools, but the feeling of friends and community from students, teachers, and coaches at SFHS makes the high school experience fulfilling for them. The SFHS community is also inclusive for parents. As we tell our children to get involved, the same goes for the parents. Parents are welcome to come in and meet other parents, volunteer, attend sporting events and concerts. There are monthly Masses where you and the students can feel the spirit at SFHS. We're also involved in the activities of the Mothers' Club and Fathers' Club.
Lori & Joe: First and foremost, we were looking for a high school with an academic program that would adequately prepare our kids for college. St. Francis has gone above and beyond, not only by preparing them academically, but assisting and guiding them in making the right college choice. Going to high school in a safe and inclusive environment was also very important to us. In all of our years at St. Francis, bullying has never been an issue, with our own kids, or really any of the student body. The atmosphere of St. Francis encourages community and inclusiveness. On this same note, there are so many opportunities for the students to be involved and to make friends with kids that share the same interests. St. Francis not only offers broad sports programs but an incredible fine arts program, many clubs, student government, and still time to be involved in service. Finally, having the Christian faith a part of their daily lives has been an added benefit. And we say Christian because although St. Francis is a Catholic high school, they do an amazing job of including all of the students, regardless of their faith. Prayer is prayer, kindness is kindness, service is service, regardless of your faith, and St. Francis nurtures these values within its student body.  

 

4. What is your hope for your children as they navigate high school? 

Jeanette & Rod: We want our daughters to be ready for the world outside of SFHS. We want them to succeed academically, to get into the college of their choice, to pursue the career that fulfills them and provides the means to live a blessed life. They may all wear similar uniforms, but SFHS allows students to be individuals. We don't know the importance of religion to the average high schooler, but SFHS provides opportunities to explore, discover, and embrace God, Christianity, Catholicism, with inclusiveness and compassion for all. Our hopes have largely been realized, our daughters have blossomed at SFHS. They've learned how to work hard to achieve and have made friendships in the process. It is an encouraging environment.
Lori & Joe: Our hope for Logan is that he is prepared for college academically. We feel that St. Francis (and we can speak from past experience) challenges the students at all levels. St. Francis also continues to expand the types of classes offered and the technology used, staying current. We hope that Logan embraces these four years of high school, by trying new things, being involved in service opportunities, and surrounding himself with good friends. We also hope that when Logan leaves high school (like his older brothers) he carries the lessons he's learned and the memories he's made with him, wherever his journey continues. We hope that his time at St. Francis encourages him to lead a well-rounded, faith-filled life as a young adult. We truly hope all our kids appreciate the opportunities afforded to them through St. Francis and stay connected as alumni. 

 

5. What advice do you have to families with younger children beginning to consider high schools?

Jeanette & Rod: A lot of parents assess a prospective school based on metrics like average ACT/SAT scores, which are an important part of the evaluation. We also encourage prospective parents to assess the environment and ask the question, "Will my child thrive here?" Our answer is clearly, YES! "We are ... HAPPY."
Lori & Joe: Our advice would be to thoroughly consider your options and allow your children to be involved in the choice. Also to visit the school so you can have a first-hand experience. We can promote St. Francis to everyone we know, but the feeling you get when you walk through the doors is beyond anything we can describe with words. It's truly an experience. We encourage parents and kids to attend the St. Francis open houses, parent coffees, junior high events, summer camps, and to shadow.  "We are ... EMBRACED."