All School Programming

Several core curricula at St. Francis Xavier School bridge grades Kindergarten (and in most cases Junior Kindergarten) through eighth grade.  This includes:

TECHNOLOGY

St. Francis Xavier School fosters a robust technology program that benefits students of all ages.  Technology is woven into every aspect of curriculum with the application of SMART Boards, laptops, iPads, and other tools so that students apply techniques universally, and across all subject areas.  Students in Kindergarten through fifth grade share five laptops per homeroom, while Middle School students are issued personal laptops for use throughout the day.  A SMARTBoard is installed in each homeroom and iPads are checked out through the library for differentiated learning and special programs.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The purpose of the Physical Education program at SFX School is to guide students to become active for a lifetime.  The Physical Education curriculum teaches teamwork, participation and respect.  Regular physical activity has been shown to promote academic success, to help prevent obesity, to further motor skill development and to provide the opportunity to start goal setting – all while making new friends.  Through the development of a robust P.E. program, SFX hopes to increase the chances of every student to succeed both academically and socially.  

FINE ARTS

The school views Fine Arts as essential to the development of the whole child, reflecting its mission to produce students who are leaders and change agents.  SFX believes exposure to the Fine Arts fosters positive social behavior as students share ideas, take risks, develop confidence, and find their voice.  As such, Music and Art are required areas of study during the school day, and supplemental programs including After School Clubs, Irish Dance and Band provide additional opportunities for growth and exploration.

LIBRARY

The Saint Francis Xavier School Library is a dynamic learning environment with a collection of over 5,000 titles, integrated technology, and a fully automated catalog.  The library provides access and resources that enhance our curriculum, and support the research and reading needs of our students and staff.  Our Destiny online system allows patrons access to the Saint Francis library catalog from any internet source at school or from home.  It also provides access to our growing e-book collection and the ability for patrons to manage and personalize their individual user accounts.

The library curriculum includes a weekly library period for preschool through eighth grade.  For younger students, the curriculum builds skills and proficiency to access library resources and services.  The focus is on instilling a love of books and learning.  Older students work to become independent users of the library resources, with an emphasis on developing informational literacy skills.  For middle grade students, the curriculum emphasizes information literacy, integrated technology and the expansion of access to information in a responsible manner.  The library circulates over 800 titles per month and is staffed by a full time librarian.  Visit the library blog to learn more about upcoming author visits, Book Cafe, Teen Advisory Board and more.

LEARNING SUPPORT

St. Francis Xavier School is proud to have assembled a talented group of specialists who form our Learning Support Team.  Differentiation and the development of the whole child are aided by a learning behavior specialist, an interventionist, a social worker and a school psychologist.  SFX’s talented Assistant Principal, Jennifer McDonough, provides additional math instruction to support differentiated learning in grades 6 through 8.  A full time social worker aids in the areas of social integration, navigating friendships and supporting the emotional needs of students.  A part time speech therapist assists students with basic speech needs, and in the identification of opportunities for additional support.  Two behavioral learning specialists provide pull-out support, incremental and diversified learning instruction and student evaluations to identify best-outcome solutions.  Additionally, many of our Early Childhood and Elementary School teachers leverage their degrees as Reading Specialists to advise and consult, to share information and to develop strategies that benefit students across grade levels.

CRUSADER COMMUNITIES

Every Kindergarten through eighth grade student is assigned to a Crusader Community for the duration of his or her time at SFX School.  Older students are challenged to mentor their younger community-members while young children develop confidence and skills by learning from the eldest members of their respective Crusader Community.  Each community is assigned a dedicated teacher to lead the group, which consists of roughly one dozen Kindergartners through eighth graders.  Students are organized in their communities for most school events, including weekly liturgies, field days, all school assemblies, and special projects.  Crusader Communities are a living embodiment of the Crusader Covenant, a promise students make to themselves and others to be the best they can possibly be.  The Crusader Covenant draws on the four principles of harmony, integrity, benevolence and faith to encourage the growth and development of a healthy and supportive educational community.