Saint Francis High School (Mountain View)

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Saint Francis High School
"Educating hearts and minds to serve the world."
Established	1955
School type	private Catholic
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholic (Congregation of Holy Cross)
President	Mr. Kevin Makely
Location	Mountain View, California, United States
Campus	Suburban
Enrollment	1550
Faculty	101 (2005-2006)
Average class size	400
Student:Teacher ratio	25:1
Average SAT scores (2006)	1770 [1]
Athletics	Twenty-four teams [2]
Color(s)	Brown and White
Mascot	Lancer

Saint Francis High School, founded in 1954 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school located in Mountain View, CA. The Brothers of Holy Cross serve both on the faculty and on the Board of Directors. Saint Francis High School serves the Catholic families of the area but also opens itself to other families who wish to experience a Catholic, Holy Cross education.

Contents 1 School History 2 School Mission & Philosophy 3 Athletics at Saint Francis 4 Extra-Curricular Activities 5 Notable alumni

[edit] School History

The Brothers of Holy Cross opened Sain Francis High School as an all-boys school in the September of 1955. The original teaching facility was a small frame building, renovated from a grammar school and named Grant Hall after Harry Grant, the first student to enroll. Other buildings included a former residence, Andre House, and some peripheral structures. The grounds were largely orchards. Four Brothers comprised the first-year faculty. The first principal was Brother Fisher Iwasko.

Realizing a need for expansion, the Brothers of Holy Cross invested $210,000 of their own funds and $225,000 of borrowed funds to build Holy Cross Hall. The building contained eight classrooms, three science laboratories, and administrative offices, and was completed in the December of 1956.

In 1959, Raskob Memorial Gymnasium was build on land donated from Ira and Elise Higgins. By 1962, the student body had grown to 685 young men, and further expansion was necessary. In 1972, Saint Francis merged with Holy Cross High School, necessitating additional facilities for a student body of almost 1200 young men and women.

[edit] School Mission & Philosophy

(from the school's website)

"Saint Francis High School provides an environment which encourages students to achieve their highest potential through the following:

• Spiritual development, which imparts Christian values and promotes community service
• Intellectual development, which fosters academic achievement and lifelong learning, and
• Social development, which provides exposure to a broad range of activities and experiences.

Saint Francis High School serves Catholic families and other families who seek the experience of a Christian academic community. In the Holy Cross tradition, Saint Francis High School serves students with a variety of abilities and backgrounds and unites them into a community where the gifts and talents of each person are appreciated.

Saint Francis High School helps students develop into knowledgeable and involved Catholics and Christians who will be active members of their local Church. Gospel values are reflected in all aspects of the school, and students find an awareness of the person and message of Christ in prayer, liturgy and service to others. Saint Francis High School promotes and builds Christian morality in relationships among members of the school community and within society as a whole, promoting a spirit of family. The school is committed to building a just society within the world community in which service to others is practiced by all.

Saint Francis High School challenges each student to reach full academic potential. Recognizing the importance of developing skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, technology, and creative expression, the school offers a variety of experiences in the liberal arts, the sciences and the fine and performing arts. The school fosters critical and creative thinking, and assists students in developing an ability to work with others in a climate of collaboration and cooperation. Students are taught communication, problem solving and decision making skills, enabling each to become a life-long learner with the capability to be successful in a rapidly changing world.

Saint Francis High School empowers students to examine the possibilities which exist for them beyond high school in many areas of their lives: career, education, and life-style. Students learn to set and realize personal goals and are challenged to develop their talents. A broad range of activities and athletics helps to foster physical development, self-esteem, leadership, and mutual respect.

Saint Francis High School promotes active participation in our democratic society and an appreciation of the various cultures of our world. Saint Francis High School develops students who will become responsible members of the world community and will carry forth the Holy Cross value of service to God and community."

[edit] Athletics at Saint Francis

(from the school's website)

"It has been the long-standing tradition and philosophy of the Saint Francis High School Athletic Department that participation in athletics is an integral part of the educational process. The many lessons that athletics can teach: sportsmanship, self-discipline, teamwork, commitment, and developing self confidence, as well as dealing with success and overcoming adversity, are lessons that will last a lifetime. The true value of high school athletics rests in the learning of these lessons.

Our coaches believe in this philosophy and see themselves as instrumental in its implementation. The fields and courts are used as classrooms where these "lessons for life" can be taught in an environment where student motivation is great.

Over the years, Saint Francis High School has developed a reputation throughout Northern California for fielding competitive, well-coached teams in all sports. Athletic teams have attained success at all levels, yet have never lost sight of the values of sportsmanship and fair play.

Saint Francis is dedicated to giving as many student-athletes as possible the opportunity to participate in a well-equipped, well-staffed athletic program. We are extremely pleased that approximately two-thirds of our student body take part in our athletic program and we strive to maintain or improve upon this participation and the quality of our programs.

As in every other aspect of the Saint Francis community, the success of the Lancer athletic program has always been a product of the dedicated students, teachers, administrators and staff of Saint Francis High School. The overwhelming interest and participation by the student body, in addition to the direct involvement of the faculty as coaches and support staff have built a program of unparalleled pride and commitment to excellence.

Saint Francis athletic teams began the 2000 millennium with outstanding success. The Lancers and Lady Lancers stand atop the Section with 105 CCS titles since 1975. In 1992-93, and again in 1994-95, Saint Francis became the first school to win seven CCS championships in a single year. They won seven again last year and also claimed one State and two Nor Cal crowns.

The athletic achievements of Saint Francis students over the years have been widely acclaimed in newspapers and other media, attracting the attention of countless college and university recruiters seeking high school graduates for their athletic programs. Saint Francis alumni and alumnae have been most successful at the intercollegiate level across the United States." [3]

[edit] Extra-Curricular Activities

Saint Francis High School offers a multitude of extra-curricular activities. Among the more notable ones are the Speech & Debate Team, Mock Trial Team, Marching Band, Newspaper (The Lancer), Yearbook (Poverello), Radio Club (KSFH 87.9FM), Science & Engineering Club, and Voices of Hope.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Eric Byrnes, Outfielder, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chase Lyman[[4]], Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
• Linda Cardellini, actress
• Troy Bienemann, Tight End, Washington State, NFL Prospect
• Bob Klatt, professional quarterback, San Diego State, Philadelphia Eagles
• Randall Stone, Member 1992 and 1993, United States Triathlon Team USA