St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter-4/11/2024

Future Spartans! Mark your calendars and join us for 7th Grade Night at 6:00 p.m. on April 26.

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“In prayer we speak to God, and we hear Him speak to us.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

Follow The Spartan Blue Road That Leads To College

The Wizard of Oz celebrates 85 years! I read recently about the film’s anniversary, and the “yellow brick road” reminded me of our students and their four-year path to college—except theirs would be paved with brick of Spartan Blue. Freshmen take first steps along our Spartan Blue Road early. They then twist and wind through four years of strategic experiences that result in their submission of meaningful college applications. It’s hard for other schools to duplicate this St. Francis Way; we exceed Gold Standard student-to-counselor ratios, introduce students to college and career resources earlier than most, and support college goals in both academic planning and rigor.

But there’s more. It’s hard to describe the scope of our efforts, which extend from Counseling to teachers, students, and parents, year after year, step by step, one Blue Brick at a time. There are solid reasons SFHS students have high college acceptance rates. The reputation of our curriculum’s rigor and grading is one strong appeal that colleges respect in a St. Francis High School application. But what’s intangible is the nature of our students’ applications. They tell a story of each individual, a comprehensive story that is supported by their academic, extracurricular, and personal pursuits. I encourage you to look at pages 12 and 13 of the St. Francis High School Viewbook for the details on SFHS’s strategic Four-Year Plan.

But as helpful as these pages are, you won’t see everything. St. Francis High School applications resonate because we help students understand who they are as people. This is critical in the college application process. Students expand themselves through four years of exceptional experiences, then build a college list of schools who will value them. This is where the magic happens; we prepare students for college shoes that will fit them perfectly, and because we do it so naturally, we sometimes take it for granted. In the end, we want SFHS to become the “black and white” portion of a student’s academic experiences. The home of firm foundation where their heart will always reside. The home that prepares them for the technicolor experiences of college life and beyond. And there’s no place like St. Francis High School for our students, families, and alums.

Please come visit us! We welcome you to 7th Grade Night on April 26th as well as any time for a family chat, school tour, or student Shadow Visit. We’re always here for you and happy to help!

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

Only at St. Francis High School

Experience the SFHS difference, which offers distinct advantages that provide students with a well-rounded education to prepare them for a successful future.

This Issue’s Feature: Student Involvement

PERFORMING ARTS – WINTER RECAP

Congratulations to our Spartan performers on their outstanding accomplishments during the winter season (12/21/23-3/19/24)! There is so much talent and news to celebrate – particularly on placing 1st overall at the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Competition (band, choir, and orchestra combined)!

BAND/INSTRUMENTAL

Noteworthy

IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest (Band – 2nd, Orchestra – 3rd)

Credit Class Opportunities: Guitar/Ukulele I, Guitar II, Rock Band, Wind Ensemble (Band), Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra

Winter Opportunities:

■ Band

Marched in Disney World’s Festival of Fantasy Pre-Parade
Winter Solo & Ensemble Concert

■ Jazz Band

SFHS Auction performance – March

■ Orchestra

Winter Concert
Pit Orchestra – Annual Spring Musical

■ Pep Band

Performed at home basketball games

■ Rock Band

Worship Team – Ash Wednesday and Catholic Schools Week Masses
Performed at SFHS’s Spartan Olympics (during Catholic Schools Week)
Performed at the City Walk Lagoon Stage, Universal (FL)

■ Coming Up – You’re Invited!

Jazz Showcase & Swing Dance – April 12; 7:00 p.m.
Spring Band Concert – April 25; 7:00 p.m.
Rock Show – May 10; 7:00 p.m.

CHOIR

Noteworthy

IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest (Choir – 1st! Fifth Year in a Row!)

Credit Class Opportunities: Mixed Choir, Concert Choir, Spartan Singers, Chamber Choir

Winter Opportunities:

Worship Team – Ash Wednesday and Catholic Schools Week Masses (meets before and after school prior to school Masses)
Winter Solo & Ensemble Concert
Performed the National Anthem at home basketball games and pep rally

Coming Up – You’re Invited!

Spring Choir Concert – April 28; 3:00 p.m.

THEATRE

Noteworthy

Drama Club: Illinois Theatre Fest at Illinois State University (Click here to view schedule)

Credit Class Opportunities: Theatre Workshop I & II, Production Technology

Winter Opportunities:

Spring Musical “Beauty & the Beast”

Coming Up – You’re Invited

One Acts – April 20; 4:00 p.m.

"I Am St. Francis"

The Student Perspective: What does Performing Arts at SFHS mean to you?

Elleson C. ’24: “The SFHS Performing Arts programs were one of the reasons why I chose to come to St. Francis. The Band program has a lot of opportunities, from marching band to performing in solo and ensemble contests. Also, I’ve taken advantage of opportunities outside of my classes with theatre and pit orchestra. A (Performing Arts) highlight is the community, and this community is where I’ve made most of my friends. The teachers are so supportive and talented, and they take so much time out of the day to make the experience special. My advice to any new student – get involved! The Performing Arts Department is a great place to make friends and meet a lot of people.”

Jackson G. ’24: “(SFHS Performing Arts) means community and having somewhere where you can be accepted no matter what your role is. I have had the opportunity to really evolve as an actor. We have accomplished a lot, and now I am focused on wanting to leave a legacy to have the program continue to get better. I talk to the underclassman, and my advice is step out of your comfort zone to experience the community because you’ll see how close the bond is.”

Vivi T. ’24: “I have participated in every Theatre performance including plays, musicals, and student-directed opportunities. Also, I was a Musical Director in Student Revue. In addition, I am part of Worship Team, Choir, and Vocal Jazz. Performing Arts is a safe place – I trust all the people here and everyone is super nice and kind. There is always a place for everyone. A highlight was the IHSA Contest this year, it was such a great experience and opportunity. I would advise younger students to not be afraid to try new things even if you are intimidated. I originally wasn’t going to do Choir, but now I may minor in Music next year. You will love it!”

Kyle W. ’24: “This year I’ve been part of Rock Band (section leader, guitar), Jazz Band, and started Theater with Fall Play and played Gaston in the Spring Musical, which was awesome. My brother is four years older, and he played guitar in the Rock Band when he was a student at St. Francis. They were real rock stars to me, and when I was younger, I wanted to be like that. Performing Arts is everything to me – I can come to school and do what I love – from playing with the Rock Band first period to playing in Study Hall to Jazz Band after school. I get to school early because I can do what I love. When you perform with people, you have to trust that they will do exactly what they need to do. We’ve built a bond because we trust each other so much. We are a team. I would advise younger students to keep trying new things, especially at St. Francis because there is so much. I’ve had so much fun with all these experiences, and the opportunities have been amazing. I never thought I could get out there and be in the musical. You may feel like you shouldn’t do something, but try it, it could be some of your best experiences.”

Around Campus This Month

Baseball & Softball – Spring Break Travel Tournaments

Success for SFHS Baseball and Softball on their annual Spring Break trips. Baseball was at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando (attending since 2014) and Softball was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (going for more than 10 years).

Math Team – Success at State

Congratulations SFHS Mathletes! Our Math Team placed 9th at the ICTM State Math Contest on Saturday, April 6, at ISU. We have placed in the Top Ten 26 times out of the last 29 State Math Contests!

Mental Health Awareness Week

We are so grateful to our Counseling Department for the awesome activities, emotional support, music during lunch, and themed dress-down days!

SFHS Service

One of our ongoing Service Opportunity partners is GardenWorks, a nonprofit that works to improve food security and access to healthy foods for families throughout western Chicagoland. SFHS volunteers weeded garden beds and spread soil and compost at United Methodist Church in West Chicago.

Alumni Theatre Night

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Alumni Theatre Night during a showing of Beauty & The Beast! #OnceaSpartanAlwaysaSpartan

Principal Huhn Receives NCEA Leadership Award

Principal Raeann Huhn accepted her National Catholic Educational Association Leadership Award at the NCEA National Convention in Pittsburgh! Ms. Huhn was one of 11 recipients nationwide to receive this outstanding honor.