There’s no such thing as overnight success Success is the result of wise decisions, hard work, and the right attitude. At St. Francis High School, our goal is to provide our students with the foundation, resources and environment necessary to: Make good choices; Become men of character; and chieve success both in the classroom A and once they graduate. “We at St. Francis will partner with you and help you to develop your son in an academically challenging and religious environment.”
90 YEARS AND COUNTING
St. Francis High School is a Roman Catholic college-preparatory school with a rich Franciscan tradition. Conducted by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the school serves young men of diverse faiths and backgrounds from all areas of Western New York and beyond. St. Francis High School was formally dedicated on November 25, 1926 as a college preparatory school for young men.
1924
St. Francis High School was founded in December 1924, by the Very Reverend Justin Figas, OFM Conv. A group of Polish-American professionals and businessmen formed a committee, which came to be known as the “Fr. Justin Drivers,” to raise the funds necessary for the construction of the school.
Ground-breaking ceremonies were held and the cornerstone was laid on July 12, 1925.
1926
Additions to the campus were completed, including Justin Hall, a dormitory/ gymnasium complex now used as a classroom building.
1927 The first class of the student body was officially enrolled. Friars Hall, which includes our beautiful chapel, is the original school building.
2003 2007
1957
1988
1925
11 acres of new playing fields were added.
Alumni Hall, which houses Ormsby Theatre and a Campus Store was constructed.
2005 An addition to Justin Hall and a quadrangle were completed. The addition includes a second gymnasium, three classrooms, locker rooms and training room facilities.
The Mary E. Schneider Visual Arts Center was completed in Friars’ Hall.
2017
An athletic complex redevelopment project was completed that includes Polian Family Field, Jeff Sgroi Memorial Baseball Field, an 8-lane allweather track, and Gacioch Family Athletic Center.
As the school’s facilities expanded, so too has our student body. What was founded as a 125-student boarding school has evolved into our current state-of-the-art campus with an enrollment of over 450 young men. However, the basic Franciscan philosophy of holistic education, the keystone of the tradition of success that is St. Francis High School, has remained the same for over 90 years.
ACADEMICS PREPARING FOR COLLEGE As a college-preparatory school, St. Francis’ first priority is academics. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 and an average class size of 23, our students are guaranteed personal attention from the entire faculty, more than 75% of whom possess one or more master’s or doctoral degrees. The personal commitment and dedication of both the Friars and lay faculty provide the best possible kind of education – one that develops the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Any student experiencing difficulty can always seek help from the teacher of that course. All teachers are available to the students for at least 40 minutes after dismissal to offer extra help, review study problems, make-up work missed or address other difficulties.
The success of St. Francis High School’s educational program is obvious at every graduation, where 98% or better of all students move on to postsecondary education. In addition, scholarships worth millions of dollars are awarded to graduates each year.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AP Art
AP Composition
AP Physics
AP Biology
AP Economics
AP US History
AP Calculus AP Chemistry
Micro/Macro
AP World History
AP Literature
USING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE EDUCATION St. Francis High School offers a wireless campus, with 24/7 Internet access. Every classroom comes equipped with a smart board and 32-inch television. We also have multiple iPad carts for teachers to use. However, our philosophy regarding technology in the classroom is to use it as a tool to enhance the educational experience, never to replace it.
CHROMEBOOK 1 TO 1 PROGRAM All St. Francis Students receive a Chromebook to be used in the classroom and at home.
Tracking Academic Progress At St. Francis, we encourage parents and teachers to work as a team to ensure success among our students. In fact, In September of each year, the school conducts a Mini-Class Evening to allow parents to meet their son’s teachers and learn about the content of his courses. In addition, the school, in cooperation with the Parents’ Guild, sponsors quarterly Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parents and students have access to our website portal. Parents can view their son’s classes and assignments as well a message his teachers. Parents can also stay up-to date on their son’s activities by selecting to receive important notifications about games, practices and other events through the school website.
ACADEMICS
St. Francis High School believes in a holistic approach to education. Educating the whole person: mind, body and spirit. To that end there are a wide variety of sports, arts, clubs and activities that we encourage your son to take advantage of.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC PROGRAM FALL Cross Country (Varsity & Frosh) Golf Football (Varsity, JV & Frosh) Soccer (Varsity, JV & Frosh) Volleyball (Varsity & JV)
WINTER Basketball (Varsity, JV & Frosh) Bowling (Varsity & JV) Ice Hockey (Varsity Prep Hockey, Junior Varsity Prep Hockey, Varsity Federation, Junior Varsity Red & Junior Varsity White)
SPRING
Swimming
Baseball (Varsity, JV & Frosh)
Wrestling
Lacrosse (Varsity & JV)
Indoor Track & Field
Tennis Track & Field (Varsity & JV)
FINE ARTS Instrumental Music Program including Concert Band, The Jazz Messengers and K-OS a percussion ensemble Men’s Choir
Fall Drama Spring Musical
Stage Crew Studio Art
ATHLETICS / FINE ARTS / CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
Athletics, Fine Arts, Clubs & Activities
Apply to St. Francis The Application Process at St. Francis High School is now easier than ever. Using our online application tool families can track the status of their application, keep up-to-date- with checklist items, schedule a personal tour and submit a scholarship application all in one place.
Create an Online Account to track the Application process. Fill out an Inquiry form on the St. Francis Website.
How to Apply Follow these 6 steps in the application process.
When to Apply Ideally students should begin the application process in the September of their eighth grade year, however we do accept applications on a rolling basis. To be eligible for tuition assistance and scholarships we suggest you apply early.
Fill out the Common Application.
Sit for the Entrance Exam.
Schedule your Family Tour.
Request marks from your current school for 6th, 7th and the first quarter of 8th grade.
Scholarships and Tuition Assistance We understand that the cost of a St. Francis High School education may seem out of reach for a lot of families. We are here to help make it more affordable. Consistent with Saint Francis of Assisi’s ability to see God in all people, St. Francis High School seeks to provide a quality, Catholic Franciscan education to young men of all socio-economic backgrounds. To help make this possible, we offer academic-based scholarships to incoming freshman — the majority of which are renewable for all four years. In addition, the school also offers financial assistance through a work study program and tuition grants to families who demonstrate need. We do not offer any athletics-based or special interest scholarships. Over 65% of our families receive some form of tuition assistance to help afford the cost of a St. Francis High School Education. Scholarship and tuition assistance applications are available online for those who wish to apply.
St. Francis is closer than you think! Students living within 15 miles of St. Francis receive free bus service through their public school district. Students who reside in the Buffalo City School District receive an NFTA bus pass. The NFTA bus arrives at and departs from St. Francis High School.
APPLY TO ST. FRANCIS
For over 90 years, St. Francis has been educating young men of various faiths and backgrounds from throughout Western New York and around the world.
4129 Lake Shore Road | Hamburg, New York 14075 | 716-627-1200
stfrancishigh.org