Saint Francis High School (Louisville)

Saint Francis High School (also spelled St. Francis High School), is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Founded in 1977, it is an outgrowth of St. Francis School, in Goshen, Kentucky, a K-8 school founded on the developmental education model a decade earlier. Both schools are non-sectarian, but maintain an association with the Episcopal Diocese of Louisville, and a historical link to St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church in Louisville. The church and the schools are named for Francis of Assisi.

History

In the mid-1970s, a St. Francis School mathematics teacher, Thomas H. Pike III, and a group of parents decided to found a new high school as a continuation of the lower School. They chose to locate the new school in downtown Louisville, to take advantage of the resources available there and, in part, to set the school apart from the other independent schools in the city. Serendipitously, a Louisville real estate developer, William Receveur, had recently purchased the former headquarters of the Louisville YMCA at 233 W. Broadway and was in the process of renovating the building, erected in 1913, for office and commercial space. The fledgling high school rented the third floor of the old "Y" and opened its doors with a small class of ninth graders, adding grades 10-12 in subsequent years. The school gradually rented out more space in the seven-story building, as other tenants moved out, occupying parts of the ground floor, first floor, second floor and fourth floor by the close of the 2000-2001 school year.

As the school approached its 25th year, Pike, who had been serving as head of school since its founding, and the school's directors sought to expand and revitalize St. Francis High School. Following a $6 million fundraising campaign, St. Francis High School and a private partner undertook a major redesign and renovation of the entire building, with the school occupying the northern half and apartments and commercial spaces the southern half.

Pike stepped down as head after the 2002-03 school year. Alexandra Schreiber Thurstone '84 is the current head of school.

In 2012, St. Francis High School merged with sister school, St. Francis School, to form the current Preschool-12th grade St. Francis School.^[1] Although the merger had been discussed over the past several decades, the boards of both sister schools agreed the schools were ready to consolidate all three campuses, which share similar educational philosophies, into the St. Francis School: "the regional center of progressive learning where students grow into mindful, informed young adults."^[2]

Even after the merger, Alexandra Schrieber Thurstone '84 remains the head of school.

Educational philosophy and program

By design, the school has had one of the smallest 9-12 student enrollments in the country, typically no more than 145 students. The founders of the school wanted to maintain the low student-to-teacher ratio of the lower school and facilitate a more collegial atmosphere between teachers and students. Accordingly, the new facilities are designed for a maximum student body of 180.

True to its developmental learning background, St. Francis has few rules, no dress code, and a refreshing lack of formality. The school does not track its students by ability, believing all learners can benefit from interacting with each other as well as with the teacher. Nevertheless, the curriculum is academically rigorous, with emphasis on written and spoken expression in all classes. College Board Advanced Placement courses are available in many subjects in the upper grades.

With a student teacher ratio of 8:1, maximum class size of 18 and an average size in 2006-2007 of 11. The mission is to prepare students academically and personally for college and life in a rigorous educational environment that challenges them to think independently, respect individuality, and act with integrity.

Students taking AP tests score 3 or higher over 80% of the time and gain college credit and/or advanced placement in college courses. They do not publish their standardized test scores. Currently the school offers over 14 AP classes.

St. Francis has nine core values. We are diverse, participatory, academically challenging, egalitarian, cooperative, risk-taking, personalized, spiritual/ethical, and innovative.

Part of how the school lives out their mission and core values is the extending of privileges to the students,coupled with the added responsibility expected from them. Students are allowed to sign out of the building during lunch and free periods. Because this is a privilege, they are expected to be responsible and manage their time appropriately. When a problem occurs, with the sign out system or any other disciplinary matter, students are referred to the Disciplinary Review Board, the student-run discipline system.

Extracurricular activities

The school colors are red and black. The mascot of the school is a red Wyvern rampant.

Athletic teams include soccer, field hockey, basketball, tennis, track, lacrosse and many more. Currently the school offers eleven varsity sports and the opportunity for students to excel in multiple sports. St. Francis has a no-cut policy, so all students are invited to participate and play.

Academic teams include Quick Recall (a quiz bowl competition), chess, Science Olympiad, Math League and Destination ImagiNation.

Other groups include the school committee, guideverns, yearbook, literary magazine, knitting club, yoga, ultimate frisbee and drama club.

Students are given the ability to spearhead their own clubs and organizations once they have the approval of the head of school and a faculty representative.

The art program at St. Francis is truly unique, with two or more artists-in-residence a year teaching the students of their profession.

Associations

The school is an accredited member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), and belongs to the Kentucky Association of Independent Schools (KAIS) and the Louisville Independent Schools Coalition (LISC).

References