What grades does St. Francis Xavier School offer?
St. Francis Xavier School offers an exceptional education for students in Preschool through 6th grade. Kindergarten at SFX is an all day, every day program. Our preschool has morning and afternoon sessions for 3-4 and 4-5 year olds.

What is the preschool’s schedule?
Morning Preschool classes are 8:30-11:30 a.m. A supervisor is in the preschool rooms beginning at 7:30 a.m. for those whose parents drop them off on their way to work. Preschoolers are supervised after morning class until 12:15 p.m. to accommodate parents that pick up their child during their lunch break.
Afternoon Preschool sessions are 12:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Preschoolers may come at 11:30.
All students are picked up by 3:30 p.m.

What is the school’s daily schedule?
Classes begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. for Kindergarten through 6th grade. A supervisor is in the cafeteria beginning at 7:30 a.m. for those whose parents drop them off on their way to work. The cafeteria is supervised after school for grades K-6 until 3:30 p.m.

Is St. Francis Xavier School accredited?
St. Francis Xavier School is fully accredited by the Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association.

What is the school’s curriculum?
St. Francis Xavier School provides a strong curriculum in all subject areas: religion, reading, math, language arts, science, social studies, spelling, phonics, music, physical education, computers and Spanish.

What size are classes at St. Francis Xavier School?
In 2009/2010; K-6 classes ranged from 14 to 25 students. Pre-K for 3 yr. olds-12 students per class Pre-K for 4 yr. olds-16 students per class

How does the school address children's special learning needs?
Students who have special learning needs are welcome at St. Francis Xavier School. We enjoy a good working relationship with the Sartell-St. Stephen School District, and students with special education needs typically receive Title I, Special Education and speech services through the Sartell Public Schools. Our teachers also provide modifications or accommodations as needed.
Title I is a program for students in K-3 who are behind in reading and/or math. This is our second year to have the good fortune to have a Title I teacher, an employee of District 748, provide services in our own building. Prior to last school year, SFX students had to go to Pine Meadow Elementary to receive Title I services.
Title I funding is based on the percentage of students in a school building who receive free or reduced price lunches. Pine Meadow Elementary qualifies; Oak Ridge Elementary does not qualify. For SFX that means that if a student is academically eligible, and lives in the PME area, they may receive Title I services. If a SFX student is academically eligible for Title I services but lives in the ORE area, they may not receive services. For those students, St. Francis has on staff a retired teacher who comes in the early morning to tutor them.

What is tuition at St. Francis Xavier Preschool?
Tuition at St. Francis Xavier School for the 2010-2011 school year is as follows:
$110 for preschool (2 days per week) * $20 more per month for non-parishioners
$135 for preschool (3 days per week) * $20 more per month for non-parishioners

What is tuition at St. Francis Xavier School?
$2,495 for one child in grades K-6 $ 2,230 for second child in family in grades K-6
$ 1,900 for third child in family in grades K-6
$6,625 tuition cap for family with children in grades K-6
$5,300 for a child in grades K-6 who is a non-parishioner

Is tuition assistance available?
It is part of the mission of St. Francis Xavier School that no one will be denied a Catholic education for financial reasons. Tuition grants are available to those who qualify. Applications for tuition grants are included with the registration materials. Applying for a tuition grant is a confidential process; applications are handled by F.A.I.R. Financial Aid Independent Review, Inc., an outside agency.

When does registration begin?
Registration begins with our Open House during Catholic Schools Week at the end of January. Please contact the St. Francis Xavier School office at (320) 252-9940 for more information, or download registration information and materials from our website at http://www.stfrancissartell.org/pages/RegistrationInfo/

What is the registration fee?
A non-refundable registration fee of $100 is paid at the time of enrollment for Preschool through grade six.

Can my child take the bus to and from school?
Bus transportation is provided for students K-6 through the Sartell-St. Stephen School District #748. Specific questions regarding bus transportation can be addressed to District 748 Transportation Director, Diane Hornung, at 656-3724. In August, every family receives information specific to their child regarding time and location of pick-up and drop off.

Does the school offer a hot lunch program?
St. Francis Xavier School participates in the federal hot lunch program. Students may purchase a meal prepared on site or bring a cold lunch. Our computerized lunch program tracks each family’s lunch account. Free and reduced lunches are available for qualifying students.

How does St. Francis Xavier School communicate with parents?
In addition to our weekly school newsletter that is emailed to parents and posted on our website, we encourage parents to communicate with teachers by a note, an e-mail, a telephone call or a visit. The school holds parent-teacher conferences twice a year. Parents may call or visit the school principal at any time with any idea, question or concern.

Does St. Francis Xavier School offer extracurricular activities?
Our school calendar is sprinkled with extra activities, including field trips, theme days, Catholic Schools Week, student assemblies and programs. Students in grades 3-6 have the opportunity to participate in a play directed by Prairie Fire Theater; students have fun working with students of different grade levels while developing their skills to perform before an audience and build their self- confidence. Fifth and sixth grade parishioners have opportunities to play sports through the Parochial Athletic Association (PAA): football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball. Extra opportunities also include participation in Sartell Community Education courses offered at SFX.

Are the school’s teachers licensed?
All our teachers are licensed by the State of Minnesota. Our teachers stay updated in educational topics and practices through frequent workshops and in-services. Our faculty includes specialists in the areas of music, physical education, computer and Spanish.

What is St. Francis Xavier School’s mission?
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is committed to providing students with a quality education emphasizing spiritual growth, academic excellence and community service. We follow the teachings of Jesus by loving and respecting each person in everything we do and say.

Are parents welcome to participate in activities at St. Francis Xavier School?
We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. Our school is here to aid you in that process. Without parental involvement, our program would not be a success. We strongly encourage all parents to be actively involved in their child’s education by instilling in them the importance of education, regular study and reading at home.
We provide numerous opportunities for our parents to be actively involved in their child's education and school activities. We have a strong Home and School Association that provides parents with many volunteer opportunities and ways to become more involved with school programs. We encourage parents to have lunch with their children at school, to volunteer in school during the day and help with special events organized throughout the year.

Why should I choose St. Francis Xavier School for my child?
St. Francis Xavier School provides an education in which you can have faith. SFX makes a commitment to your child and their academic, emotional, spiritual and physical development. Our graduates excel at the middle school and high school levels.
The first educational years are absolutely critical to your child’s development. St. Francis Xavier School serves your child with care for their whole being - mind, heart, soul, will and body - reflecting the timeless tradition of values-based education.
SFX is dedicated to passing on the beliefs and traditions of the Catholic Church. Religion class is part of the daily schedule. Prayer is said at the beginning of the day, before and after lunch, and at the day’s end. Students often ask for prayers for personal intentions. Students in grades 1-6 attend Mass on Friday mornings. Kindergarteners often attend.

As a Catholic school, we celebrate the seasons of the liturgical year. After Thanksgiving the religious focus is on Advent. Students are involved in daily scripture readings and weekly all-school prayer services around the Advent wreath. SFX anticipates and celebrates the birth of Jesus. This focus is reflected in school decorations and community service projects. In the spring, students observe Lent and then celebrate Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

Special events are always centered around a Mass. Catholic Schools’ Week, Grandparents’ Day, Recognition of Volunteers, sixth graders completing their SFX school program – all culminate with attendance at Mass. Why choose St. Francis? Faith gives life meaning; it defines what is acceptable and what is not. The Catholic faith is a constant guide.

How is religion taught?
Religion is taught as a curriculum subject at every grade level. Additionally, as a Catholic school, traditional Catholic/Christian values are part of each aspect of our school curriculum and activities. Catholicism/religion is both a class and a way of life.

Do children attend Mass?
Students in grades 1-6 attend Mass each Friday morning. Grades take turns planning and participating in various aspects including the readings, petitions, song leading and more. Kindergarteners attend several times a month. Weekly Mass and liturgies for special events and seasons of the year are one way we celebrate our life experiences as a Catholic community through liturgy and prayer. All St. Francis Xavier School students participate in daily classroom prayer using a variety of methods, including songs, formal and spontaneous prayer, and spiritual reflection.

Do you need to be Catholic to attend St. Francis Xavier School?
You do not need to be Catholic, or a member of our parish, to attend St. Francis Xavier School. We welcome children of all faiths and backgrounds. However, religion is an important part of our curriculum, and we will ask your child to participate in these lessons as well as attending our weekly Mass. We do ask all children to model Christian behavior. Our school observes all Catholic Holy Days and Holidays.