Each morning students, faculty and staff say "The Prayer of Saint Francis." May the prayer show us a way to live today as it reflects the way Saint Francis once lived in the world. Join Pastoral Ministry and the Student Ministry Team and pray with us.
Join Us On The St. Francis Path
"Sanctify yourself, and you will sanctify society,
remember that a single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.
"
Saint Francis of Assisi
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Welcome
Challenges Magnify the Good of Consistently Exceptional Education
Prospective parents, these are humbling days, but the challenges have only served to magnify the consistency of the SFHS experience, whether we're united under the same roof or scattered among the zip codes. I'm grateful for the integrity of this distinctive community's education. It leads me to ask, when you think ahead to your child's high school days, what's important to you? Here are three ways St. Francis High School has delivered exceptional benefits to students during these unprecedented weeks of E-Learning:
*Being a Microsoft Showcase School matters.
Microsoft Surface Pro technology is not just a "device difference" but a world of difference. It is allowing St. Francis High School to set the bar for E-Learning because it is agile. It enhances a teacher's ability to engage students. It helps students produce their highest quality coursework and adapts to a number of learning styles. It enables students to work to their potential, stay organized, and navigate the curriculum, wherever they are.
*Invested teachers who want students to succeed matter.
SFHS teachers continue to connect from home in a variety of meaningful ways-video clips, discussion boards, video conferencing, flipped classroom lessons. They are providing an interactive experience because the technology allows them to and also because they care. Deeply. Students understand and respond.
*Franciscan Virtues matter.
These virtues anchor and animate our learning environment and help students see life's events through a larger lens. They serve to ignite each student's personal drive and shape resilient young people who desire to transform the world as well as to succeed in school.
Just as these simple standards carry students seamlessly from classroom to E-Learning, they carry SFHS graduates to college and beyond. This good, beautiful, and true experience fills all the spaces and cracks between students and teachers, developing whole people as well as academic achievers. The SFHS experience is unlike any other. We look forward to meeting soon, but until then, please call or email me with questions or schedule a "Virtual Visit" for an admissions conversation. We can have coffee together.
Sincerely,
Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions
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"I Am St. Francis"
The Student Perspective on E-Learning: Five Questions for Danny B., '20 and Caroline D., '21
1. What grade school did you attend? What activities have you been involved in at SFHS?
Caroline: I attended St. Walter in Roselle. At St. Francis, I've been involved in Theatre, Band, Scholastic Bowl, and National Honor Society.
Danny:
I attended St. Patrick in St. Charles. In high school I've played basketball all four years and also participated in various extracurriculars, including Student Ambassador Leadership Team, National Honor Society, CapSim (Business Club), Engineering Club, and Ping Pong Club.
2. Describe your transition from grade school to high school.
Caroline: Moving to a new school was scary at first. I only knew a handful of people and had no idea what clubs I wanted to join. But I was met with a warm welcome from everyone in my class and upperclassmen, as well. As a freshman I met some of the people that are my closest friends today. And I owe it all to getting involved a lot during my freshman year. Getting involved helped me to expand my horizons and meet different people.
Danny: I met new friends in classes, basketball, and extracurricular activities. Getting involved is a great way to meet new people. The teachers at St. Francis really want you to succeed, so if I needed additional help, they were always available. The classes challenged me to think and prepared me for college. I've also learned a lot about time management and the importance of balancing academics and activities.
3. Describe your experience with E-Learning so far.
Caroline:
All of my teachers have made the transition to E-Learning comfortable and helpful, sending emails and OnCampus messages to encourage us. I'm so glad we get to continue our education and connect with each other, even with the difficulty of COVID-19.
Danny: My classes have transitioned on to Microsoft Teams, Flipgrid, Go Formative, OnCampus, and Screencasts. One of my projects I have been working on is for Intro to Engineering class. We are creating presentations to show our classmates about a product created by engineers that can help reduce the spread of a virus during a pandemic. I think this project is very meaningful because we are learning what engineers and researchers around the world are doing to fight COVID-19.
4. What advice would you give to parents who are considering SFHS for their child's high school experience?
Caroline: My biggest piece of advice is deciding what they want out of high school. For me, I wanted a great education and a class of students who felt like a second family to me. And St. Francis completely delivered. St. Francis has changed my life and is shaping me to be the person I want to be in the future.
Danny: Have your middle schooler shadow in 7th and 8th grade. They will see for themselves what a great education St. Francis provides, along with our vibrant community.
5. What one word encapsulates your experience at St. Francis?
Caroline: "Home."
Danny
: "Phenomenal."
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Only at St. Francis High School
A Parent's Guide to E-Learning: Microsoft Showcase School Fuels Interactive Programs and Smooth Transitions
Because St. Francis High School is one of 39 Microsoft Showcase Schools, the framework for exceptional E-Learning was already in place. St. Francis has delivered a consistently exceptional experience with a smooth transition from classroom to home. What happens during E-Learning days? Here's a basic overview.
1-Real-time events.
Even though students are not physically at school, class activities and assignments occur in real time and allow students to take advantage of learning opportunities outside of the traditional school day. College readiness takes all forms, and teachers are using this E-Learning platform to further prepare students for online academic situations in college.
2-Teachers present.
Teachers provide instruction to students virtually or use an online platform like OnCampus (LMS) or Microsoft OneNote or Microsoft Teams. Online experiences may include assignments electronically posted, individual or group work, short video clips and response sessions, discussion boards, real-time video conferencing, flipped classroom lessons, and lessons using various apps like NearPod or FlipGrid.
3-A real schedule.
SFHS E-Learning days are organized with an S-F scheduling format. Periods 1, 2, 3, 4 meet virtually on Day S, and Periods 5, 6, 7, 8 meet virtually on Day F. Students still check in for attendance, then go on with their day. Here's what the schedule looks like:
| 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. |
Homeroom Attendance |
|
Day S |
Day F |
| 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. |
Period 1 |
Period 5 |
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. |
Period 2 |
Period 6 |
| 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. |
Period 3 |
Period 7 |
| 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. |
Period 4 |
Period 8 |
| 1:45 - 2:00 p.m. |
Teachers will review and respond to student messages |
Teachers and Technology in Action:
1. Delaina Blake, Math with Screencast-O-Matic
"I'm using Screencast-O-Matic to teach a lesson. This is an educational software that records everything my screen is doing. I then upload to YouTube and my students use OneNote to write notes. They do their homework using their e-textbook and submit their work to me through OnCampus. I also am communicating with them on Microsoft Teams, which is a virtual classroom. As you can guess, this has been working well for me, but I miss the kids so much! They are the reason I pursued this career and what makes it rewarding. So, to keep our connection, I have been uploading daily pieces of my life, as well, like videos of my baby and some pictures of me and my family at home. The kids really have been liking it."
2. Nina Schroeder: Virtual Choir
SFHS Virtual Chamber Choir sings "Little Bitty Pretty One."
3. Sada Boden, Spanish 1 with OneNote and Microsoft Teams
"In my Spanish I class, we are continuing to read a novel we started in early March titled, "El Silbón de Venezuela." "El Silbón" is about a boy who is fascinated with all things cowboy. When his dream of meeting real cowboys comes true, he has a terrifying encounter with a ghost named El Silbón de Venezuela. Students use their reading guides in OneNote and follow along with me as I read chapters from the book. I share my screen via Microsoft Teams."
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Beyond Admissions Events - You're Invited
An Invitation to Enter into a Spirit of Hope and Encouragement with Dr. Betsy Ackerson, President
"Our theme for this school year is 'FLOURISH,' and at St. Francis High School, we are undeterred in our mission to provide a Catholic college preparatory education. I am so happy to share with you how our students are flourishing amidst the COVID-19 climate.
"The 48-hour transition from in-person classroom learning to E-Learning was so seamless that on day 1 of E-Learning, 99.3 percent of our students were in attendance. Students are connected and flourishing at home. We keep hearing how happy our students are to be virtually connected with their teachers and each other during this time. They inspire us with their creativity and their love and care for the entire SFHS Community. We are proud of them and blessed to have such wonderful, motivated students."
"Not all schools are as agile and equipped for E-Learning as St. Francis High School, and we are grateful to be able to continue to provide a consistently excellent college preparatory experience."
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Upcoming Events
Campus Tours
Virtual Sessions Coming Soon
Shadow Day
Virtual Sessions Coming Soon
Class of 2024 Proficiency Tests - POSTPONED
April 22
Spring Information Session - POSTPONED
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2019-2020 Viewbook
Admissions Video
SFHS Featured on Fox 32 Pep Rally Friday
Feast of St. Francis
We hope you enjoy our talented choir singing the prayer of St. Francis
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Thanks for reading
Maureen
Isphording
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St. Francis High School Fast Facts
COLLEGE PREPARATORY:
Enrollment: 685
CLASS OF 2019-
100% of graduates were accepted to colleges or universities
Earned $27 million in college scholarships
ACADEMIC
74% of faculty have advanced degrees
Class of 2019 average ACT score = 27
123 Full year and semester course offerings
21 Honors courses
16 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
73% 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.
For more information, fees, route schedules or questions, please contact Bob Gorski at (630) 668-5800 x1138 or at
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