St Francis School

My 7 year old attends, and my 5 year old will go next year. I chose this school b/​c I wanted a private school that pushed academics, maintained racial and economic diversity, and did not have a pretentious atmosphere. I also preferred a secular school — this school has «chapel» every Friday, but is more of a whole school rally. There is no religion education, and they welcome people of any or no faith. When doing the search for a school, I checked out essentially all of them, including ACE academy, Paragon Prep, St Andrews, etc. When I settled on St Francis, I was a little nervous that my child might not be pushed enough. They mix a wide range of academic ability within the same classroom, and I worried that my «gifted» child might not receive enough personal attention if there were other kids with learning disabilities in the same room. This has not been the case at all. They teachers are top-​notch, and are very receptive to parent concerns. They kids are taught to work hard within their ability level, and the teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of each child. If you child needs extra attention, there is a dedicated building behind the school with tutoring available. There are gifted students, students with dyslexia, high functioning autistic students. Multiple UT professors send their children here. There are students AND teachers of every color (and quite a few male teachers as well). There are students with mixed economic backgrounds, many on full-​ride scholarships. Same-​sex parent families are welcome. I have no idea what Mary Y is talking about — there is CLEARLY no racial discrimination in this school. If you need to check for yourself, I’m sure the many teachers of different backgrounds here would be happy to speak with you. There are field trips, many after-​school activities, there is early care starting at 7, and after-​care til 6. I know there are sports teams available, and there is a beautiful large gymnasium and soccer field. The playground has shade, and there is even a chicken coop.

This is my very bright but dyslexic son’s 4^th year at St. Francis School. We came here when he was in the 4^th grade because it seemed like a school that could challenge him academically while supporting his learning difference if he ended up needing that support. On our first day at St. Francis his teacher explained that she has a very high standard for all of her students– each one, their own high standard. That was a life-​changing year for my son. He adores school, is a very high achiever academically, and we’ve found a real community that feels more like family and made life-​long friends.
The school takes their motto «Excellence Without Exclusivity» seriously, and their commitment to every type of diversity can be seen from the families and students who attend St. Francis to the staff and even the board of directors.
We often joke in our family that dyslexia was the best thing that ever happened to our son, because without it he never would have found St. Francis. As a 7^th grader he enjoys playing on the school’s football and ultimate frisbee teams, is a regular on the honor roll, participates in several of the various optional before– and after– school activities. I know we can’t keep them in a bubble forever, but I will always be grateful that we found such a wonderful school and can keep him in such a special community through middle school. And I have every confidence that he will leave St. Francis well prepared for whatever life has in store in high school and beyond.

My 4 year old attends school here. She loves it! She loves going to school to see her pre-​kinder teacher Ms. Graham. The teachers & staff at the school care about the kids. This is a community! My daughter has learned so much & it’s because of the school & Ms. Graham. Thank you St. Francis!

Love this school! my 2 kids just started a preK program and both are loving it. It is a very welcoming community!