Since opening its doors in 1998, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has worked to develop their students into well-rounded, Christ-centered individuals with a strong academic focus.
What began in 1994 as a plan by two parishes, San Antonio de Padua and St. Martin de Porres, is now a tri-parish school, with the added support of Santa Clara de Asis Catholic Church, which was built in 2001.
As a result of their endeavors, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has emerged as a “hidden gem” that sits perched atop a hill in east Yorba Linda, nurturing exceptional religious and academic growth in all students.
According to Allison Clewett, Director of Marketing & Development, “St. Francis of Assisi was chosen as the namesake for the school because of his love for God's creation, his renunciation of material wealth, and his work in building up God's church.”
“He had a powerful impact on the world. Taking his name as a patron of the school calls us to model our work and lives on him. The school endeavors to care for the whole person and their family, to treat people with dignity and love, and to nurture the students' goodness and Christian faith.”
The St. Francis school family currently consists of 550 students in preschool through 8th grade. Coinciding with their motto, “Prayer, peace, and perseverance,” there are several enriching religious, educational, and extracurricular opportunities for inspired students to pursue.
Sports like flag football, basketball, volleyball, roller hockey, and track and field allow students to sharpen their athletic skills and build their self-esteem.
Options such as student council, performing arts, Christian service projects, mock trials, and an array of enrichment activities are all avenues for exploring.
SFA also takes STEM very seriously, recognizing the demand to fill these lucrative positions with highly qualified individuals.
“The best way to ensure future success and longevity is to make sure that our students are well versed in these subjects,” notes Clewett. “Over the last seven years, St. Francis has built a solid STEM foundation through a well-rounded curriculum to ensure that students are exposed to science, technology, engineering and math throughout their educational career.”
Students at St. Francis benefit from an impressive 1:1 iPad ratio, dedicated Science teachers who conduct dynamic “hands-on” instructional experiences with a real-world connection, and a top-tier “Innovation Center,” where the scientific magic really happens!
A green screen room for video production, generous robotics workspace, and forward-thinking “Innovation Bar” where students and teachers gain invaluable assistance from the school’s tech support team are all tools for kindergarten through 8th grade.
The school’s FIAT (Faith in Action Today) program works to affirm and model the significance of Christ-like behavior for students, staff, and families.
As the new school year begins, students’ mental and spiritual well-being in the face of a post-pandemic world is tackled by the S.E.E.D.s program, which stands for Social-Emotional Education and Development.
S.E.E.D.s, developed by SFA’s school counselor, Kelli McCarty, LMFT, focuses on topics like anxiety, stress management and mitigation, test-taking skills, and navigating social dynamics with peers, delivered in whole-group settings.
What sets St. Francis apart from other schools in the area is referred to as the “spirit of St. Francis.”
Clewett explains, “Walk through our campus and you will feel the connection to nature and to each other. Beyond that, we have an incredible tradition of strong academics and a focus on ‘whole child’ education. We prepare our students for a successful future with a growth mindset and real-world skills.”
Each year, the community eagerly awaits SFA’s “Blessing of the Animals” event, held on October 4, which is the Feast Day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
At this annual event, students, staff, and families happily bring their beloved pets—everything from dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses, and more—to be blessed in prayer.
“Blessing of the Animals is a special, long-standing tradition on campus that brings together our school and local community members as we show our appreciation for the loyalty and unconditional love that our pets and service animals provide each day,” says St. Francis Principal, Jeannette Lambert.
As St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School prepares to celebrate their 23rd anniversary with the start of the 2021-2022 school year, school leaders look forward to continually building a strong moral compass within their students, which is at the heart of St. Francis of Assisi's formation.
