New Family Information

Welcome to St. Francis! Here are some resources to get your family ready for the first day of school. For division specific links, click on your child(ren)’s division tab below.

2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR

We will be updating this webpage regularly from now until the start of school in August, so please check back often for important information, news, and announcements.

When parents/guardians are separated or divorced, the school requires that parents/guardians file with the school the most recent court orders specifying access to the student, student records, and school officials, as well as possession and visitation. The school’s copy must contain the judge’s signature and the date signed. Please submit your documentation to Andrea Stidham, Director of Human Resources.

Andrea Stidham - AStidham@StFrancisHouston.org

Accommodations and Student Support Services

Tuition and Billing

Billing statements will be available for review and payment on Monday, April 1, 2024 and are located in the parent portal of Veracoss under “View Statements''. The annual and 1st monthly payment are due on May 1, 2024. Subsequent payments will be due on the first of each month through January 2025 for families who have chosen the monthly option.

Please click here https://accounts.veracross.com/stfrancishouston/portals/login to access your family’s tuition invoices which are located in the parent portal of Veracross under “View Statements”.

If the Annual by ACH and Monthly payment options were chosen, submission of the ACH Debit Authorization Form is required for the payments to be auto debited. The completed ACH Debit Authorization Form must be submitted to the school by April 19, 2024 The form can be mailed, dropped off, or emailed to Chanda Hutton. Important Note: Bank account information stored in Veracross cannot be used for auto debit as the school is not able access this information.
> ACH Debit Authorization Form

Questions or concerns, please contact Chanda Hutton at 713-458-6179 or chutton@stfrancishouston.org

If you do not have a payment option on file, click on the VC Wallet tab and add either a credit or debit card, or your bank account information.

Art a la Carte

Parent Portal

Explore and Extend (After-School Program)

> Explore and Extend Webpage

At St. Francis, we believe that learning should not end with the last bell of the school day. That is why our Explore and Extend after-school enrichment program features a varying array of small group classes each semester. From art to martial arts, dance, and foreign language study to gymnastics, robotics, cooking, and chess, there is a class to pique the interest of every student.

Explore and Extend has its own registration portal dedicated to all things E&E including: Afterschool Care, Daily Drop ins, Enrichment Class registration, E&E Special Events School of Music Classes as well as Summer on the Point.

For more information Traci Callender - Director of Explore & Extend

School Supplies ( K - 8 ) - Through May 21

School Supplies ( K - 8 )
Order Securely Online - Starting Now through Tuesday, May 21!

Go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks
Enter the school ID,
- STF001 (St. Francis Lower School)
- STF018 (St. Francis Middle School)
Follow the directions to complete your order.
Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.
Orders will be charged tax at checkout.

First page of the PDF file: SchoolSupplies_K-8_STF001STF018COLOR

School Uniform - Info and Ordering Link

We are pleased to announce that our new uniform provider, Flynn O’Hara Uniforms, is accepting orders for the 2024–25 school year. You may shop two ways:

Online: Click here to visit the St. Francis uniform page on the Flynn O’Hara website. Enter your student’s grade and gender to view the products that he or she may wear to school. Please note that Flynn O’Hara offers our school free shipping on orders over $300.
In store: If you prefer to make a uniform-sizing appointment and/or shop in person, the Flynn O’Hara store is hosting a dedicated shopping day for St. Francis families on Monday, June 10, 2024. Please use this Sign-Up Genius link to make your appointment. The Flynn O’Hara Houston store is located at 1022 Wirt Rd., Ste. 322, Houston, TX 77055.

Flynn O'Hara recommends families complete their uniform shopping at least one month before the first day of school to ensure students have everything they need!

To see all uniform items available by division, you may download this document. Please note there are some new required uniform items in Middle and Upper School:

Plaid skirt for dress uniform in Middle and Upper School
New tie for dress uniform in Upper School
PE uniform for sixth–twelfth graders who do not participate in a sport and all fifth graders

As previously mentioned, there will be a grace period allowing students to wear Dennis Uniform items through the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years.

We are excited to embark on this new partnership with Flynn O’Hara, and we hope you will be as impressed as we are with the quality of their items, pricing, and outstanding customer service.

Wolf Watch - Weekly e-Newsletter

Primary

Primary School Information

PS Division Contact Information

Rest Mat

SFES Handbook

Lower

Lower School Information

LS Division Contact Information

Final Transcript for Grades 1-4

School Supplies ( K - 8 ) - Through May 21

School Supplies ( K - 8 )
Order Securely Online - Starting Now through Tuesday, May 21!

Go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks
Enter the school ID,
- STF001 (St. Francis Lower School)
- STF018 (St. Francis Middle School)
Follow the directions to complete your order.
Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.
Orders will be charged tax at checkout.

LS Handbook

Middle

Middle School Information

MS Division Contact Information

School Supplies ( K - 8 ) - Through May 21

School Supplies ( K - 8 )
Order Securely Online - Starting Now through Tuesday, May 21!

Go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks
Enter the school ID,
- STF001 (St. Francis Lower School)
- STF018 (St. Francis Middle School)
Follow the directions to complete your order.
Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.
Orders will be charged tax at checkout.

MS Athletic Information

Ready to get in the game? Please submit this form to let us know which sports you would like to participate in next year.
> 2024-25 MS Sports and P.E. Selection Form

Physicals - Forms due by Wednesday, May 15:

All middle school students are required to have an updated physical and complete the online medical history before the first day of school. St. Francis will be providing on-campus athletics physicals for returning students on Wednesday, May 15.

Copies of the forms are located on Magnus Health. To access these forms:

Log in to Magnus Health from the Parent Portal.
Print the blank form titled, “Athletics Physical Forms Incoming Grades 6 - 12,” which can be found by clicking the Student Health Tracker button. This form is a two-page document with a specific number for your child in the top corner.
- Page 1—Medical History
- Page 2—Physical Exam
Complete the Medical History page.
Sign the Medical History page.
Students must sign the Medical History page as well.
Upload both pages to Magnus or drop off at the nurses’ office on Piney Point Campus before the first day of school.

If you have any questions, please contact
Jamie Platt (Associate Dir. of Athletics) JPlatt@StFrancisHouston.org or
Fay Gant (Piney Point School nurse) FGant@StFrancisHouston.org

MS Placement Testing and Advanced Academics

Placement testing for incoming Middle School students will take place on Saturday, May 4 on the Couper Campus, 2300 S. Piney Point Road. Students should check-in to the Student Life Center by 8:30 am. Students will begin testing at 9:00 am.

Students should bring two pencils, a water bottle, and a snack. Everything else will be provided. The pickup time for students taking English and Math Placement exams is 11:15. Those students who are also taking the Spanish Placement exam will be picked up at noon.

Middle School students will have the option to apply for Advanced Academic Courses next school year. The advanced courses will be offered for grades 5–8 in both math and English. Please review the "Advanced Academics" information below with your child so that you, as a family, can determine if he/she wishes to apply.

Students Entering grade 5

All students entering grade 5 will take a Math exam, either for placement in Advanced Academics or summer enrichment suggestions.
Students applying for Advanced English will also take an English exam.
Please submit the form to share your child's preferences.

Students Entering grades 6-8

All students entering grades 6-8 will take a Math and an English exam, either for placement or admission into Advanced Academics courses.
Students who would like to place into a higher Spanish class will take a Spanish exam.
Please submit this form to share your child's preferences.

Advanced Academics

These courses will go at a quick pace and dive deep into content and application. The scope and sequence of the courses will go above and beyond the on-level courses and provide opportunities for academic rigor and student-directed learning. The ideal Advanced Academic student will show strong aptitude and interest in the content area, possess strong work habits, and be self-directed.

Please keep in mind that the Advanced Academic program is not the right fit for every child. We continue to recognize that students have strengths in many areas outside of academics. Our on-level courses will continue to challenge students, and they, too, will have opportunities for application, project work, and engaging and differentiated instruction that meets them where they are.

Application Process

The Advanced Academics application process comprises the following components:

Advanced Academics Placement Test
Teachers’ recommendations—all teachers who teach the child will submit recommendations.
Performance grades in math and/or English
- Major and Minor assessments only—no engagement grades will be averaged in
- Fourth Graders' indicators will be used.
In-house achievement assessment—see below for more information.
Specific ERB scores
- Math: Quantitative Reasoning and Math Part 1 & 2 (Benchmark: 7-9 Stanines National Norms)
- English: Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension (Benchmark: 7-9 Stanines Against National Norms)
Letter of Commitment signed by student and parent at the time of acceptance

The Advanced Academic assessments will be administered on Saturday, May 4 on the Couper Campus, 2300 S. Piney Point Road, as part of placement testing. Incoming students must take an advanced or on-level assessment for both Math and English.

Advanced English	Advanced Math
In order to qualify for the Advanced English Program Students must qualify in at least FOUR of the six measures below.	In order to qualify for the Advanced Math Program Students must qualify in at least FOUR of the six measures below.
Reading Comprehension ERB (or ISEE)	Math ERB (or ISEE)
Verbal Reasoning ERB (or ISEE)	Quantitative ERB (or ISEE)
English Placement Test	Math Placement Test
Report Card Performance	Mathematical Thinking, Habits & Stamina Final 10-minute problem on the placement test
English Teacher Rec	Report Card Performance
Other Teacher Recs	Math Teacher Rec (50%) + Other Teacher Recs (50%)

All of the scores will be put in a matrix which will inform our placement decisions. You and your child will receive an email in the coming weeks with the placement decision. If placed in Advanced Academics, a letter of commitment will be due.

Advanced Academics Placement Test
Teachers’ recommendations—all teachers who teach the child will submit recommendations.
Performance grades in math and/or English
- Major and Minor assessments only—no engagement grades will be averaged in
- Fourth Graders' indicators will be used.
In-house achievement assessment—see below for more information.
Specific ERB scores
- Math: Quantitative Reasoning and Math Part 1 & 2 (Benchmark: 7-9 Stanines National Norms)
- English: Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension (Benchmark: 7-9 Stanines Against National Norms)
Letter of Commitment signed by student and parent at the time of acceptance

MS Laptop Information

St. Francis requires all rising and new Middle School students to purchase a 13-inch MacBook Air.

Apple’s price to the school is $2,445.00 + tax, which covers all the essential academic software packages and services required for your child's digital experience in Middle School. The 13-inch MacBook Air will include the following:

M2 chip with 8-core CPU,10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
16GB unified memory
512GB SSD storage
Educational AppleCare+
Laptop protective bag or case

An invoice will be available on the Parent Portal on May 1, 2024. The full payment is due upon receipt to guarantee the delivery of the device to your child in time for the start of the 2024–25 year.

We understand that purchasing a device is a significant investment; however, we prioritize enhancing our students' educational experience by equipping them with the necessary tools, technological advancements, and security enhancements that inevitably lead to increased costs. Our commitment to transparency ensures students have access to top-tier resources while maintaining a secure and technologically advanced learning environment.

To help your family navigate this program, we have attached a list of frequently asked questions and answers below. If you have additional questions, please contact us at Laptop@StFrancisHouston.org.
> Laptop FAQs

MS Handbook

Upper

Upper School Information

US Division Contact Information

US Athletic Information

Ready to get in the game? Please submit this form to let us know which sports you would like to participate in next year.
> 2024-25 US Sports and P.E. Selection Form

Physicals

All upper school students are required to have an updated physical and complete the online medical history before the first day of school. St. Francis will be providing on-campus athletics physicals for returning students on Wednesday, May 15.

Copies of the forms are located on Magnus Health. To access these forms:

Log in to Magnus Health from the Parent Portal.
Print the blank form titled, “Athletics Physical Forms Incoming Grades 6 - 12,” which can be found by clicking the Student Health Tracker button. This form is a two-page document with a specific number for your child in the top corner.
- Page 1—Medical History
- Page 2—Physical Exam
Complete the Medical History page.
Sign the Medical History page.
Students must sign the Medical History page as well.
Upload both pages to Magnus or drop off at the nurses’ office on Couper Campus before the first day of school.
Upper School students also need to submit the TAPPS Medical History Form.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jamie Platt (Associate Athletics Director), JPlatt@StFrancisHouston.org or
Fay Gant (Piney Point Campus Nurse), fgant@StFrancisHouston.org

Upper School Placement Testing and Course Selection

Registration and placement testing for incoming Upper School students will take place on Saturday, May 4 on the Couper Campus, 2300 S. Piney Point Road. Students should check-in to the Student Life Center by 8:30 am. From 8:30-9:00, students and parents will hear about the Upper School program and learn about the registration process. Students needing to test for either math or Spanish will then proceed to the testing.

Students do not use calculators or extended time for placement tests. The only thing they need to bring with them are a couple of pencils.

Grade 9 Students NEW to St Francis

Students entering grade 9 have the choice of testing out of Algebra I and/or placing into a higher level of Spanish or Latin.
If your child plans to take Algebra I and take the first level of a language (Spanish I, Latin I, or French I) their freshman year, they do not need to take placement tests, but they will need to let us know which language they want to take. Please submit this form by April 26.

Grade 9 Students from St. Francis

Students currently in grade 8 at St. Francis do not need to take placement. This event will be for class registration only. Any student who does not come on May 4th will be able to register during finals week.

Incoming grades 10-12 Students

All students entering grades 10-12 will need to take a Math placement test. If a student has not taken two years of the same world language in high school or wants to continue in a world language, they will also need to test. After testing, your child will also work with Dr. Staller or Ms. Claudia Mejia, Director of College Counseling, on course selections. Please submit this form to help us plan.

Laptop Information

St. Francis requires all rising and new Upper School students to purchase a 13-inch MacBook Air.

Apple’s price to the school is $2,445.00 + tax, which covers all the essential academic software packages and services required for your student's digital experience in Upper School. The 13-inch MacBook Air will include the following:

M2 chip with 8-core CPU,10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
16GB unified memory
512GB SSD storage
Educational AppleCare+
Laptop protective bag or case

To help your family navigate this program, we have attached a list of frequently asked questions and answers below. If you have additional questions, please contact us at Laptop@StFrancisHouston.org.
> Laptop FAQs

US Handbook

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