Progress Can't Wait, Secure our Future Today

OUR HISTORY

On November 11, 1956, St. Francis High School supporters cheered as shovels broke ground and efforts to construct the long-awaited regional high school officially began.

Today, St. Francis High School serves the same mission its founders dreamed it would: to educate the young men and women of neighboring towns and Catholic parishes and to nurture their spiritual growth. This is the heart of Catholic education, and since classes first began in 1957, St. Francis High School has fostered student achievement and spiritual growth, all in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, our patron.

1960

Athletics program started by Brother Pius Kamphefner, F.S.C.

1957

First classes held

1955

Bishop McNamara appeals to local parishes to make SFHS a reality

2013

Kuhn Memorial Stadium and Coach

Scott Nelson Memorial Track dedicated

2009

Chapel remodeled and dedicated to Saint Clare

2015

Lacy Family Gateway Building built for wrestling and dance

1969

Coeducational classes begin

2011

1958 Cafeteria opens

2001

Spyglass Athletic Center and Kuhn Cultural Arts Center built

1963

East Wing added

Mary J. Feltes Science Suite and Robinson Family Learning Center wing constructed

1956 Groundbreaking Ceremony held November 11

OUR MISSION

St. Francis High School is a Catholic, college preparatory learning community that promotes spiritual, academic, physical, and social development in the daily presence of Jesus Christ.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear St. Francis High School Community,

When you step onto the grounds of St. Francis High School, it stirs something within you. The spirit of the school is palpable. When I walk the halls, I get a feeling of continuity as I think of the experiences my children had as students here in the early 2000s and my wife had as a student here in the 1970s. The sense of identity and community has persevered across generations – even as our campus has changed.

Phenomenal things have happened and continue to happen at our school. We have an outstanding and committed faculty and staff who partner not only with our students but with their families as well. Enrollment is steadily increasing, and our students continue to attend top-tier colleges and pursue rewarding careers. We have upheld our calling to foster a disciplined, caring, and Christ-filled environment that is fiscally responsible.

We are living as disciples of Jesus Christ through the cultivation of our faith by loving God and serving others. The mission of our school remains the same – but our outdated facilities inhibit our progress as a preeminent college preparatory school.

As you would expect, the areas of our building that date back to our founding days haven’t fared well. While our students dream of innovation, they navigate overcrowded hallways and seek collaboration spaces. We’re teaching math in classrooms that haven’t been updated since the invention of the hand-held calculator. We encourage our students to take care of themselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally but haven’t modernized our security features to meet today’s standards for school safety. Our students are flourishing; our infrastructure is faltering. Progress can’t wait any longer.

As we embark on our next 65 years and beyond, we are committed to offering strong academics that define quality, college preparatory, Catholic education. Today, we ask you to join us on this urgent mission for an enhanced learning environment. On the pages that follow, you’ll find an overview of the projects of the utmost priority that were identified through focus groups and concept development in partnership with internal and external key stakeholders and our Board of Directors.

You’ll also see how you can help. Please prayerfully consider your involvement. Gifts of all amounts are needed, appreciated, and continue the traditions of giving and gratitude that have laid the foundation for our next generation of success.

Pace e Bene – Saint Francis, pray for us!

President Phil Kerr

CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENTS &

Project Overview

CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENTS

We have 18 classrooms that need updating to reflect college preparatory standards of learning. We will move from:

•Whiteboards to modern interactive projection

•Fluorescent to LED lighting

•Clutter to storage solutions

•60-year-old desks to flexible seating

To make these changes possible, there are infrastructure improvements that can’t be seen but will be felt – and provide a foundation and framework that are critical to the project’s success. These include window replacement, fire suppression, electrical updates, and utilities and back-of-house costs.

Cost Estimates: $6,722,055

ENHANCED SECURITY

The safety of our students – now more than ever – must remain a top priority. God’s children are our most precious gifts, and we must protect them from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, and other emergencies.

•Move the main entry and reception area from Door 4 to Door 20

•Implement two locked doors with a vestibule in between to screen visitors before they have access to the school

•Update classroom doors and locks

•Enclose the breezeway for safe student passage

Cost Estimates: $1,344,574

THREE REASONS WHY SCHOOL SECURITY FAILS:

“It can’t happen here.”

“We can’t afford it.”

“We don’t have the time.”

-Jack Martin, retired Chief of School Police, Indianapolis Public Schools

ENHANCED SECURITY – $8 Million

“For quite some time, we’ve needed to make our classrooms more modern, and more accessible for students with different learning styles."

-Mike Harper, SFHS Teacher - 43 Years

STUDENT SERVICES EXPANSION – $2.6M

Project Overview

Part of what makes SFHS unique is our ability to offer students experiences they can’t get elsewhere. The addition of art labs, a green room, and community spaces will provide unique opportunities for students commensurate with a college preparatory education.

In the last 5 years, the number of students receiving services due to special needs (those with IEPs) grew from 80 to 120. Our strategic plan includes an objective to expand the Counseling Department, which will enhance the effectiveness and capability of the department and allow for improved student outcomes in all areas of student development. As part of the plan, the counseling suite will be relocated and expanded to an area adjacent to the main office. Cost Estimates: $2,634,684

“The St. Francis Counseling Department went above and beyond for me my senior year of high school. I could not have survived the college application process and gained admission to my top choice on a scholarship without their help!”

- Alyssa Coladipietro ’21, Vanderbilt University

HVAC REPLACEMENT – $3.1M

Project Overview

Our current HVAC system dates back to the Eisenhower era. Due to its advanced age, it’s no longer efficient and frequently breaks down. In the 2022-23 school year alone, we spent $191,000 on repairs. Ultimately, we are paying for repairs on a system that is past its expiration date.

Cost Estimate: $3,146,425 Mechanical (HVAC Replacement)

HVAC repairs in the 2022-2023 school year cost $191,000

ACTION. We Need Prayers, Thoughts, and

You can make an impact and be a part of the exciting future for our school! We hope our entire community will join together to make this campaign a reality. Every gift is important and appreciated, no matter the size.