Athletics and Activities
The mission of St. Francis of Assisi School extra curricular programs is to provide all students an equal opportunity to learn and achieve the fundamental skills and develop the basics of an activity within the context of a quality program. Providing a foundation for future life skills, participants will also learn teamwork, responsibility, dedication and good sportsmanship. Co-curricular activities will be open to all students who desire to participate and meet the eligibility requirements, and all participants shall learn how to represent their school and community well and extend the mission of the Diocese of Des Moines and St. Francis Of Assisi School.
SFA Athletic Opportunities
| Girls Volleyball |
| Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls. The season is mid August through early October. Practices are two evenings a week in the St. Francis school gym. Games are on Saturday morning/afternoons at Dowling High School. |
| Girls Basketball |
| Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls. The season is mid-October to early December. Practices are two evenings a week in the St. Francis school gym. Games are Saturday mornings/afternoons at St. Francis and other parochial schools. |
| Boys Basketball |
| Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys. The season is early January to early March. Practices are tow evenings a week in the St. Francis school gym. Games are Saturday mornings/afternoons at St. Francis and other parochial schools. |
| Cheerleading |
| Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls and boys. The season is October to March. Practices are once a week, after school. Participants cheer at boys and girls basketball games, and also at some school assemblies. The team is coached by St. Francis teacher, Holly McFarland. |
| Track and Field |
| Open to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys and girls. The season is late March-early May. Practices are twice a week, after school. There are 3 meets, plus a Championship meet, held at Dowling High School track in the evening. |
SFA Clubs and Activities
Extracurricular enrichment clubs and programs are valuable in developing a child’s interests and potential talents. All SFA students are invited to participate in or join activities available to them that align with their interests and talents.
To help guide students to suitable clubs, resources and programs, students in grades 3-8 complete an interest survey. The Enrichment Program teacher will also be conferring with teachers and looking at test scores in individual subject areas (such as science or social studies) to identify students who would benefit from some small group workshops or outside enrichment activities in those specific talent areas.
Parent volunteers are an important component to many of the programs offered. The offering of some programs is limited by availability of parent leaders. Please contact the Enrichment Program teacher if you would be interested in helping with any of the programs.
| Bricks 4 Kidz |
| Kids from Kindergarten through 5th Grade learn the basic principles of engineering and architecture by using LEGO® bricks. Designed to trigger imagination and problem-solving techniques students build a different machine each week. |
| Chess Club |
| Chess Club is a place where students in grades K‑8 can learn, play, and improve their chess skills in a friendly environment. Members practice strategies, solve puzzles, and compete in fun games with classmates. Whether you are a beginner learning how the pieces move or an experienced player looking for a challenge, Chess Club is a great way to build critical thinking, patience, and sportsmanship. Chess Club meets throughout the year. |
| Choir |
| Love singing or performing for others? Choir is for you! We welcome everyone—boys, girls, beginners, experts, and anyone in between. Bonus – choir is completely free to be a part of, just show up!
5th Grade Choir: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:45 am,
Middle School Choir (6th–8th grade): Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:45 am. |
| First Lego League Challenge |
| FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a hands-on robotics program for students in grades 4–8 that combines engineering, coding, and teamwork. Teams design, build, and program a LEGO robot to complete themed missions on a game board and also create an innovation project that solves a real‑world problem. Through this program, students learn problem‑solving, collaboration, and STEM skills in a fun, competitive environment that celebrates creativity and teamwork. FLL begins in the early fall with initial competition taking place in November. |
| Girls on the Run |
| Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others. Girls from 3rd grade through 5th grade will meet Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:45 pm. |
| Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee |
| The Knights of Columbus coordinate an annual spelling bee for students in grades 4, 5, 6 and 7. Spelling bees help students learn word meanings, origins, and usage, which improves reading comprehension and writing. Exposure to new words builds a stronger vocabulary for all subjects. Preparing for a bee teaches students how to study systematically and retain information. Word lists for the bee are available on the K of C Iowa website. Council members from our parish host a local school bee at St. Francis of Assisi School, usually in late January on the Sunday before Catholic Schools Week. Winners from the school bee advance to a regional competition and those winners go to the state competition. |
| Lighthouse Committee |
| This program turns 6th – 8th grade students into leaders. This group of students will work with staff members to run our PBIS reward system or “Sunny Shop” for middle school, and will lead students in creating a positive, faith-filled, and inviting learning environment in many different ways. |
| MATHCOUNTS |
| MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide middle school math competition that challenges students to solve fun and creative problems individually and as a team. It is designed for students who enjoy math and want to stretch their problem‑solving skills beyond the classroom. Through practices and competitions, students strengthen critical thinking, speed, and accuracy—while having fun with like‑minded peers. MATHCOUNTS meets throughout the year with competition in the spring. |
| Mock Trial |
| Mock Trial is an academic competition where students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses to present a fictional court case. Working in teams, students study the case materials, prepare opening and closing statements, write questions for witnesses, and practice thinking on their feet as they argue their side of the case in front of real judges or lawyers. Through Mock Trial, students build skills in public speaking, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving—all while having fun acting out a real courtroom experience. It’s a great way to learn about the legal system, practice persuasive speaking, and gain confidence. Mock Trial takes place in the fall. |
| National History Day |
| National History Day is a nationwide program where middle school students choose a historical topic, research it in depth, and present their findings in a creative format—such as an exhibit, documentary, performance, website, or research paper. Each year’s competition follows a theme (like “Turning Points in History”), encouraging students to think critically about historical events and their impact. Through NHD, students learn valuable skills in research, writing, critical thinking, and public presentation while exploring history in a hands‑on and meaningful way. Projects can advance from school to regional, state, and even national levels. Students begin preparing projects in the fall. Regional competition is in March, state competition is in April and national competition is in June. |
| Speech and Debate |
| Speech and Debate is a competitive middle school program where students practice public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking through organized events. Students may give prepared speeches, perform dramatic interpretations, or debate current issues in pairs or teams. Competitions encourage confidence, quick thinking, teamwork, and respectful communication—skills that benefit students in every subject and future leadership roles. Speech and Debate takes place in the spring. |
| Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl |
| Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl is an online, team-based academic competition. A team of students competes together by answering 100 questions (about all subjects) as quickly as possible. Students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 can compete at their grade level. There are two competitions–one in the fall and one in the spring. |