FAQ about St. Francis School

What are your class sizes?

Currently, our smallest class has 12 students, and our largest class has 22. The average class size for Kindergarten through eighth grade is 16 students. In Preschool, the class size is capped and often fills up.* There are two sessions of three-year-old Preschool, and each has a maximum of ten students. There is only one session of four-year-old Preschool, and the maximum enrollment for that class is twenty-four students. In addition to the classroom teacher, the Preschool classrooms have one or two aides who are in the room at all times to assist the teacher.

*We are currently condsidering expanding our Preschool class days to give working parents more options. Please call the school for details.

How long is the school day?

Students arrival begins at 7:30, but our school day officially starts with the morning bell at 8:25 am. Students are dismissed at 3:00. Our Latchkey care program extends the school day so that parents can drop off students as early as 7:00 AM and pick up as late as 5:30 PM.

Is there any before or after school care available?

Yes, our Latchkey program offers a way for parents to get their children to and from SFS at times that accommodate their work schedules. Latchkey is available starting at 7:00 AM and after school until 5:30 PM. There are nominal fees for this service. See the Latchkey Handbook -2021-2022 for more information on our Latchkey program.

Are students required to wear uniforms?

Yes, we do have a uniform and dress code at SFS for grades Kindergarten through 8. With the exception of the plaid jumpers and skirts, all of the uniforms can be purchased in most retail clothing chains (Old Navy, Wal-Mart, etc.) Click here for a detailed description of the uniforms.

Preschool students do not wear uniforms.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend St. Francis School?

Not at all! In fact, about one-third of our students are not Catholic! Religion and Christian values are at the heart of our school, and all students take part in daily prayers, Religion classes and weekly school Masses. We stress to live as Jesus did, with compassion and love, and prepare our youth to assume the duties of a knowledgeable Christian member of his/her family, school, and community.

Is bussing available to St. Francis School?

Yes, students from nearby school districts can ride the bus to and from SFS each day. Currently, we have students riding buses from Clearfield, Curwensville, West Branch, Philipsburg-Osceola and Moshannon Valley.

Does St. Francis School have sports teams?

St. Francis is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). We have girls’ and boys’ basketball for students in grades 3-8 through our school-sponsored program. Through a cooperative agreement with the Clearfield Area School District, students in grades 7-8 may also participate in Football, Wrestling, Cross country, Track. Volleyball, Baseball and Soccer. Click here for more information on our Athletic programs.

Do you teach foreign languages?

Yes, we do! All students in Preschool 4 through grade eight take an introductory language and culture class. They “travel” around the world as they learn basic vocabulary and study the customs and culture of a different country each week.

Does St. Francis School conduct standardized testing?

Although our school does not participate in the PSSA’s, we do administer the NWEA assessment tests. The data from these tests is used to guide the instruction for the year. Additionally, the students who take Algebra 1 (usually in 7th or 8th grade) will take the Keystone Exam at the end of the year. Passing the Keystone at St. Francis fulfills their requirement for graduation and they will not have to re-take the exam, regardless of which high school they attend. Please click here for a letter from Kim Lytle, Director of Curriculum for the Diocese of Erie, for further explanation of the Diocesan policies on standardized testing.