YEARS
The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW) was founded in 1989 with a vision to develop a rigorous academic Catholic school that would embrace all religions and build on the multi-layered diversity of Chicago—ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic. As FXW has evolved, these ideals solidified into our Charisms.
Our Charisms FAITH A Community of faith that welcomes and embraces all faith traditions DIVERSITY & INCLUSION A Community that is purposefully diverse and intentionally inclusive
ACADEMICS A Community that is preparing thinkers and leaders in an academically enriched environment SERVICE A Community motivated by faith to serve others
PURPOSEFULLY DIVERSE, INTENTIONALLY INCLUSIVE FXW holds the pillars of diversity and inclusion as central to our School’s mission and the overall value of an FXW education. Situated in the heart of the Chicago metro area, we strive to maintain a community of belonging where diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive and all voices are heard and valued.
995 Students 215 Dedicated Faculty & Staff; 85% With Advanced Degrees 56 Zip Codes Represented
10:1 Student : Teacher Ratio in Preschool 12:1 Student : Teacher Ratio Kindergarten and Primary School 24:1 Student : Teacher Ratio in Middle School
Geographic Information ASIAN
Northwest Chicago 27 Lincoln Square/Uptown 18
11%
Lakeview/Roscoe Village 59 Logan Square/Wicker Park 72
MULTIRACIAL
Lincoln Park 100
12%
Garfield Park 11
Near North 81
Near West/West Town 228
Student Diversity
BLACK/ AFRICAN AMERICAN
Downtown 104
CAUCASIAN 51%
South Loop 126 Bronzeville/Hyde Park 63 Bridgeport/Pilsen 60 Beverly/Southwest 15
12%
Chatham/South Shore 14 Suburbs 15
HISPANIC/ LATINO 14%
Indiana 2
High School Acceptance FXW Classes 2018 and 2019
Scholarship We empower children and families to reach for and achieve their dreams by providing over $1.5 million in scholarships each year. 34%
15%
17%
$9,100–$12,000
Over $12,100
26%
$6,100–$9,000
$3,100–$6,000
$1,000–$3,000
8%
Awards range from $1,000 to over 13K.
Benet Academy British International School of Chicago Cate School (CA) Chicago Hope Academy Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) De LaSalle Institute DePaul College Prep Fenwick High School Foxcroft School (VA) Francis W. Parker GCE Lab School GEMS World Academy Jones College Prep Kent School (CT) Kenwood Academy La Lumiere School (IN) Lake Forest Academy (IL) Lane Tech College Prep High School Lincoln Park High School (IB/DH/PA) Lindblom Math and Science Academy
Loyola Academy Lycée Français de Chicago Marist High School Morgan Park Academy Mount Carmel High School Oak Park-River Forest High School Ogden International School of Chicago Resurrection College Prep High School Roycemore School Saint Ignatius College Prep Senn High School The Latin School of Chicago Trinity High School University of Chicago Laboratory School Walter Payton College Prep Western Reserve Academy (OH) Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Wolcott High School
THE VALUE OF AN FAITH FORMATION 10 faith traditions represented at FXW 2 religion curriculums offered (Catholic and Multifaith) FXW is an independent, Catholic school where all students experience and gain an understanding of religious diversity. The goals of FXW’s religion program are to: ■■
Partner with families to enrich the understanding and appreciation of the student’s faith and spirituality.
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Develop respect and understanding of world religions.
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stablish a foundation for service work that is an E expression of faith in action.
In Preschool and Kindergarten, the experience of faith is rooted in the student’s imagination and filled with stories of awe and wonder of God. In Grades 1–8, students participate in either a Catholic religion class (Moonbeams) or an interfaith religion class (Shooting Stars). Both curricula mirror one another. Throughout the year, students participate in ecumenical prayer services and masses as an expression of their faith experience. As an intentionally inclusive community, FXW School values the opportunity for interfaith dialogue which involves listening, learning and asking questions to deepen our understanding of world religions. The celebration of Catholic holy days and sacramental preparation are part of the Catholic religion program.
Pillars ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■
SERVICE LEARNING Regardless of a student’s faith or culture, at FXW, all students have the opportunity to put their beliefs into practice. Service learning is an important aspect of FXW students’ experiential education. Projects are closely tied to our mission and allow our students the opportunity to develop their social consciousness. At every grade level, students apply classroom knowledge to service projects for local agencies which effect positive change in the community. It is important for students to realize that they can make a difference in the world around them. Living the Legacy: FXW Community Service Through the Living the Legacy service project, FXW students and their families meaningfully and consistently lend a helping hand to the Chicago community. Service comes in many forms— serving a hot meal on a cold night, cleaning up our parks and streets, spreading holiday cheer, or even something as small as sharing a smile, a hug, or a game of bingo. Through last year’s Living the Legacy service project the FXW community completed over 6,500 service hours and once again proved that every person—no matter how big or small—can make a difference.
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Tenants of Faith Liturgical Education: Rituals, Traditions, and Worship Morals, Ethics, and Values Prayer and Meditation Life, Community, and History Living the Legacy: Service and Social Justice
FXW EDUCATION Technology at FXW The Frances Xavier Warde School integrates the latest technology resources in relevant and meaningful ways to help students expand and apply their knowledge and skills. Faculty and students use technology intentionally to ask big questions, try new ideas, test and verify hypotheses, produce original and creative work, and demonstrate concept mastery. Teachers utilize technology to engage and inspire students and as tools to prepare students to be creative and critical thinkers. ■■
Grades K-5 students utilize 1:1 classroom iPads
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Grades 6–8 students utilize 1:1 Surface Laptops
Communicating Student Progress at FXW Monitoring and communicating student progress involves multiple perspectives and sources of data: checklists, teacher observations, written and oral assessment, self-assessment, and portfolios. Information is formally communicated through standards based reports in conjunction with parent/ teacher conferences. The goal of communicating student progress in a timely and clear manner, while focusing on the “whole child,” is to promote a sense of shared responsibility for supporting student growth and development.
Social Emotional Learning We strive to foster the development of socially and emotionally competent children capable of achieving success in school and life. As partners with parents, our goal is to support children as they grow in self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness, and relationship skills. This collaboration promotes our school culture where children learn and live these skills and attitudes every day.
PRESCHOOL (3 & 4 years old, 180 Students)
In Preschool, we believe in... ■■
play as the foundation for academic learning.
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strong social and emotional health with an emphasis on relationships, self-regulation, and initiative.
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nurturing optimism and happiness in the classroom.
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i ncreasing empathy and compassion in order to resolve peer conflicts.
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the process of learning rather than the product.
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teaching critical thinking skills through discussing, questioning, and exploring.
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providing choices to foster motivation to learn.
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KINDERGARTEN, GRADE 1, 2 (Primary School, 290 Students)
In Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2... ■■
Our co-teaching model allows for more individual attention and student support and enrichment in primary grades.
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Literacy classes consist of three reading teachers in each room that instruct students from “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn.”
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In math, students learn through collaboration and openended questions which allow them to gain confidence and discover various problem-solving strategies.
building body awareness by strengthening gross motor and fine motor muscles.
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cience focuses on learning skills and building vocabulary S through a hands-on approach.
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supporting the religious and spiritual faith of all children through prayer and music.
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encouraging self-help skills to build independence and pride.
Students love school at this age, and teachers foster this love of learning through lessons designed to provide relevant connections to the student’s own life experiences.
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child readiness for learning with sensitivity to individual differences and needs.
Community and Collaboration Highlights
partnering with parents to support and nurture their child.
Pre-K—Blessings in a Backpack Service Learning Project
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Continuity of Care The FXW Preschool Program follows the Continuity of Care (COC) model. Children remain in the program with many of the same classmates over their two years in preschool. As a classroom comprised of 3, 4, and 5 year olds, mixed-age grouping has something important to offer everyone involved.
K— Blessings in a Backpack Service Learning Project; Beach Clean-Up with Alliance for the Great Lakes 1st— Catholic Extension “Change for Change” Service Learning Project 2nd—Misericordia Candy Days
GRADE 3, 4, 5
GRADE 6, 7, 8
(Lower School, 265 Students)
(Middle School, 260 Students)
In Grades 3, 4, and 5…
In Grades 6, 7, and 8…
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Students shift from the co-teaching model to a developmentally appropriate single-teacher model and eventually rotate through a semi-departmentalized schedule starting in Grade 5. This encourages students to build independence, increase their executive functioning capabilities, and further develop their problem-solving skills. As students are still learning patience and perseverance, their schedules provide a variety of academic experiences throughout the day.
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tudents use the foundation of concrete and pictorial math S strategies to create abstract methods in problem solving.
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iterature includes global themes of equity, social justice, L and empathy.
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s students further define their identity, collaborative work A and conversations play a large role in instructional strategies.
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Students continue to develop executive functioning skills, specifically in time management, as assignments and projects are given in a larger capacity to develop skills in planning ahead, setting goals, and meeting deadlines.
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STEM classes are offered in Grades 7-8 to provide opportunities for students to showcase their creativity and innovative ideas.
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Students continue to pursue the “why” behind what they are learning, while moving towards more abstract thinking in their problem-solving mathematical approach.
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Students continue using the readers and writers workshop model as they move into informational and argumentative writing, including units on Afrofuturism, resume writing, and an identity project.
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Students explore concepts related to climate change and space, what it means to be “living” by delving into cells, genetics, and dissections, as well as physics through performance assessments, projects, and labs.
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In Social Studies, students develop an understanding of Ancient History, World Geography through themes related to each continent, as well as units on Chicago History and the US Constitution.
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Students further develop communication skills through live debates as well as tech communication such as presentations and podcasts.
cience is designed to nurture curiosity and develop S inquiry-based theories. Experiential Learning Highlights 3rd—Chicago Architectural Cruise 4th—Springfield, Illinois 5th—Mystery Night 6th—Outdoor Ed (Wisconsin) 7th—Irons Oaks (Illinois) 8th—Washington, D.C.
The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an academically excellent, valuesoriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The School provides need-based scholarships to 30 percent of its students, partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. FXW follows a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, and develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.
HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL CAMPUS
Campuses Preschool–Grade 3 Old St. Patrick’s Campus 120 S. Desplaines, Chicago IL 60661
Grades 4–8 Holy Name Cathedral Campus 751 N. State Street, Chicago IL 60654
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It is the policy of the School not to discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of age, race, sex, gender, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability which are unrelated to the ability to work or enjoy the benefits of the School’s programs, facilities, or services. All persons are encouraged to apply.