|
Special Features:
- Teacher-pupil ratio is 1:17
- Foreign Language (Spanish for grades 3-8)
- Extended day care program before and after school
- Weekly liturgies/prayer services/sacramental celebration
- Tutoring
- Weekly parent newsletter
- Hot lunch program
- Buddy program pairs older and younger students
- Educational assemblies and field trips
- Weekly library visitation
- School wide integrated technology program
- School-wide service program
Testimonials - What parents have to say about St. Francis de Sales School.
"I love the education and the small classes so there's more time for the teachers to help individual students." - Parent of a Second Grader |
"Our family has been part of this parish for over 30 years. Parents, teachers, and staff summed up in one word - EXCELLENT!" - Parent of a Fifth Grader |
"I like St. Francis because the curriculum is very challenging, the teachers are caring (also the principal) and the students are so nice. My daughter has had a positive experience in her 9 years here. I would definitely recommend SFDS school to anyone." - Parent of an Eighth Grader |
"I am a single father and just love the school and the hard work that the teachers do." - Parent of a Third Grader |
"I like that the school offers so many different clubs and activities for the children to participate in. Not only does SFDS send me info on the activities that take place through the school, but also passes along info on different community activities that the children can get involved in. All of the teachers are approachable and down to earth. Everyone on the SFDS staff that I have interacted with has been wonderful. I love that all of the children seem to get along and take care of each other like family." - Parent of a Kindergartner and Fourth Grader |
"The School is excellent with student to teacher ratio. That is a key element to helping the students. Also, the religious instruction is very important. Being taught about Jesus and his life is an excellent way to better a student's understanding of God." - Parent of a Third Grader |
"We feel like a big family!" - Parent of a Fourth Grader |
"In this day and age, there are so many negative influences that children face. The school has a strong discipline policy and a dress code policy that are huge factors in keeping kids away from these negative influences. All of the parents and teachers work as a team to help the students learn and grow. With such a positive atmosphere, my kids can focus on learning." - Parent of a Second Grader and Sixth Grader |
"We've entrusted St. Francis de Sales School with our children's education because of the high academic standards and expectations placed on the students. Student-to-teacher ratio is excellent and no child is lost in the classroom. Also, faith and morals, instruction for all areas of life beyond the religion class and the dedicated and caring faculty and administration." - Parent of a First Grader |
"I send my child to SFDS school because the values of the school are an extension of our values at home. I feel the education provided is keeping up with the pace of the world around us. Our daughter is a whole, well-rounded person spiritually, intellectually, and morally because of SFDS school." - Parent of a Fifth Grader |
" There are many reasons why I send my children to SFDS. One of the biggest is the teachers at the school. The teachers respect and value each child. They go beyond the call of duty and teach the whole child. They do whatever they need to do to make sure each child is successful. When a child leaves SFDS, they enter high school ready academically, morally, and spiritually. - Parent of a Sixth Grader and Fourth Grader |
"My child has been a student of St. Francis De Sales school since kindergarten and is currently in the 8th grade. The years have gone by so quickly, so let's go back to the beginning...as a kindergarten mom, I was very apprehensive as was my child. The "coffee kick-off" put my mind at ease that everything was going to be OK and it was. I learned something quick that first day...my child was not just a "number", but a person. To be honest, I never expected the impact SFDS has made on our family. It is a friendly, comfortable and family-oriented school that has so much to offer. The Principal, faculty, and volunteers are excellent and really care about the students. The extras are great too...over the years we have seen Broadway, Disney, talent show, Christmas around the World, etc....so much effort by all is put into each production..it is amazing! Oh, there's more...skating parties, sleep overs, swim parties, baseball games, camping trips, field trips, the big one in 8th grade...Washington D.C...I've never even been there..what an opportunity for my child..it's priceless! You get the idea; kids are learning and having fun! Overall, I have been extremely happy with SFDS and the education my child has received. Along with the outstanding religious education programs, there have been many service projects for those less fortunate. I am so pleased that our school is active in this. SFDS has brought many families together and lifelong friendships have been made; not just for the students but for the parents as well. My child has grown academically and spiritually over the years, and I thank SFDS's dedicated teachers for their knowledge and support. I strongly believe a solid foundation with a strong faith in God is the key to a happy and successful life, and I believe SFDS offers that. I am a proud parent of a St. Francis de Sales graduate and I feel he is well prepared for High School. If I had to do it all over again, I would enroll my child at SFDS in a heartbeat!!! - Parent of a 2010 Eighth Grade graduate |
Our annual retreat day
Our Heritage
St. Francis de Sales, the patron of our parish and school, was born in 1567. He studied at the University of Padua to become a lawyer but felt called to the priesthood and was ordained in 1593. He set out as a missionary in France and is said to have converted over 7,000 Calvinists.
With St. Jane Frances of Chantal, Francis established the Order of the Visitation. He wrote many compositions of how the ordinary man or woman might become holy. He was an example of gentleness and zeal, was a bishop and doctor of the church and is the patron of Catholic writers.
Francis died in 1622 and was canonized in 1665.
The founding pastor of our parish, Monsignor Francis J. McGlynn, named our church after his own patron saint when it was founded in 1931. The school began in two converted classrooms in the recreation hall in September, 1935. An enrollment of 71 students was taught by the Ursuline Nuns who staffed our school until 2002. Enrollment climbed to over 2500 children in the 1960's but declined when three new parishes were formed from families living in our original boundaries. The children were moved to the Snow Road building, our current site, in 1979. Father Mark Peyton was named the seventh pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish as of August 31, 2009. Today there are 12 classrooms in use and enrollment is approximately 170 students.
