Specials at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Music – Grades K–8
At St. Francis, our music programs invite students to explore rhythm, melody, and performance in a faith-filled environment. In grades K–4, students experience music through fun, engaging activities and prepare for our annual Christmas concert. Fourth-graders learn the recorder in the fall to enrich their performance. For grades 5–8, students deepen their musical knowledge by studying performance, music history, and music literacy. Highlights include our 5th-grade concert, the combined 6th-8th-grade Christmas concert, and a spring showcase where each class presents what they’ve learned. Outside regular class time, students may join either the 5th/6th-grade choir or the 7th/8th-grade choir—both of which perform twice a year.
Band / Instrumental Music
The SFA band program begins in 5th grade, welcoming beginners and experienced students alike. At the start of the year, students select an instrument and begin weekly individual lessons alongside group rehearsals. Middle-school band members combine for a unified ensemble and have opportunities to perform at the All-Diocesan Concert Band Festival, participate in a football-pregame performance with Dowling Catholic High School, and compete in solo and ensemble contests each spring. Major concerts take place in December and May.
Spanish – Grades K–8
The SFA Spanish curriculum is comprehensive and immersive. From the earliest grades, children are introduced to prayers in Spanish and the celebrations of Spanish-speaking cultures. Over time, they learn to read, write, speak, and comprehend the language. Our focus is on vocabulary, grammar, cultural understanding, and meaningful engagement—helping students discover the wonder of language and the connections it builds across cultures.
Media Center – All Grades
The SFA Media Center is a hub for nurturing lifelong readers and critical thinkers. Students engage with texts both inside the classroom and during lunchtime book clubs, where they can respond to, connect with, and recommend books of interest. The Media Center also offers a variety of media formats for creative expression, enabling students to build confidence, ask questions, and share their voices.
Visual Arts – Grades K–8
In Visual Arts, SFA students explore drawing, painting, clay work, and digital art. Younger students begin with broad exposure to creative techniques and gradually deepen their skills through projects inspired by art history and personal interest. Middle-school students also engage in advanced art explorations. Through art, our students learn to think visually, experiment with materials, reflect on meaning, and express their faith and creativity in the world.
STEM Lab – Grades K–8
Our fully-equipped STEM Lab offers hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math. From Kindergarten through 8th-grade, students rotate through lab sessions where they tinker, build, experiment, collaborate, and solve problems with purpose. Each grade level engages in age-appropriate challenges that stretch their thinking, build teamwork, and develop a “maker mindset.” Our goal is to equip students not just with knowledge, but with curiosity, resilience, and creativity.
Physical Education & Guidance
Physical education and guidance services at St. Francis support the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. In PE classes, students build strength, endurance, and team-building skills through daily activity, seasonal tournaments, and grade-level competitions. Our guidance program—differentiated for elementary and middle school—focuses on social-emotional learning, growth mindset, perspective taking, and future readiness. Middle-school students also participate in events such as “Dare to Dream Day,” where guest speakers share various career paths and encourage students to envision their future.