FAQs

We encourage all families to read through this resource as it can answer many questions we have received over the last few months.  Should you have additional questions we invite you to attend our State of the School event on Wednesday, December 3rd from 6:00PM-7:30PM in the Theater and our Coffee with the President and Principal on Friday, December 5th from 8:00AM-9:00AM in the Dining Hall.

Is St. Francis planning to change its mission or curriculum in response to Jesuit’s decision to go co-divisional?

No. St. Francis is Sacramento’s only Catholic all-girls high school, offering an experience intentionally designed to help young women thrive. We are committed to staying true to our current model – an all-girls Catholic high school in the Sacramento region educating Sacramento’s young women and preparing them to be future leaders.

Is St. Francis committed to single-sex education?

Yes. Research consistently shows that single-sex education is a powerful model for developing confidence, academic achievement, and leadership – especially in young women. 

Time and again, studies affirm what we see every day at St. Francis — that an all-girls environment fosters focus, promotes courage, and empowers young women to find and use their voices. Our girls are supported to lead, to think critically, and to pursue excellence in every aspect of their education and personal growth.

What is the state of St. Francis?

Strong. We are financially stable and ended last fiscal year with a surplus (ending on 06/30/25). These numbers will be provided in our Annual report coming out soon. We are bringing innovative programs to campus that will enrich every student’s experience, and we are positioned to offer our single-sex, faith-based education long into the future. More details will be discussed at our upcoming State of the School meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6:00PM-7:30PM in the Theater and Coffee with the President and Principal on Friday, December 5th at 8:00AM-9:00AM.

Is St. Francis closing?

No. St. Francis is not closing. We have healthy enrollment, stable finances, and a world class educational offering. We are uniquely positioned as an all-girls campus that is continuously improving across the school enterprise. We will remain the only all-girls campus in the region.

We excel in FA6  =>

Faith Formation (Liturgy, prayer, relationship, leadership, service, travel, Kairos)
Academic Excellence (Rigor, electives, AP classes, top faculty, dual enrollment – coming)
Athletic Distinction (Winning with honor, multiple sports, athletic training) 
Artistic Expression (Choir, dance, band, theater, visual arts)
AMSE (Applied Math, Science & Education) [also known as STEM]
Activities (Leadership, clubs, events)
Access (Tuition assistance, multiple program offerings, learning support services)

Have enrollment numbers changed in recent years? What’s being done to grow them?

Yes. We experienced some decline during and after Covid, but we project incremental growth next year based on our current recruitment data.  Overall, we have met our enrollment goal for our strategic plan this year. 

The best way to grow enrollment is to increase our value each year and to communicate that value better. Our leadership, staff, and faculty are reviewing all aspects of our school offerings, and planning for enhancements across the board. This year we have implemented new programs, such as the ISSP (International Space Station Program), and we have exciting plans for next year, including an additional robotics program as part of an expanded STEM zone. 

We have expanded outreach, increased family interaction, and multiplied the number of shadow days. We have strengthened our relationships with Catholic elementary schools, and bolstered our recruiting among public school students. These efforts have already increased the number of applications over last year at this time.

This fall we opened our doors to International Students, which adds so much to our campus life. They bring new perspectives, culture, traditions, and experiences that help our students see the world in a new way. It’s a great way to prepare our girls to be global citizens while living out our values of community here at St. Francis, all while increasing enrollment and strengthening finances.

With these programs and more, we envision a bright future where St. Francis continues to bring innovative programs and experiences to the young women in our region.

How will Jesuit’s move to co-divisional status affect your admissions pipeline?

That remains to be determined, but we are confident that those wanting a proven, all-girl campus experience will continue to make St. Francis High School their first choice. We wish Jesuit High School well, and their success would not mean our decline. Our future depends upon our efforts, and not on those of other schools.

We have been delivering the highest quality, all-girls education for eighty-five years, so families can have confidence in our approach and results. Girls at St. Francis create unique bonds that last a lifetime. Many families find it difficult to leave our community once their daughters graduate. The strength of our sisterhood and what makes St. Francis special is evident in the number of alumnae who are now a large part of our faculty and staff and in the number of legacy students. Year after year, alumnae return to support stand-out events like Career Day, Auction, Crab Feed, Drama, Homecoming, Theater, Choir, and Dance performances, as well as sporting activities, and many others. 

Through our actions we are exemplifying and building what makes a lifelong impact on every Troubie who walks through our doors.

Are there plans for mergers, partnerships, or shared programs with Jesuit or other schools?

No. We do not have plans to merge or sell to another school, and our property is not being sold. We will continue to partner with like minded institutions to enhance experiences in STEM, the Arts, Athletics, service, and community based programming. We do this now and we will continue to grow in these areas when it complements our initiatives.  

What are some of the exciting new initiatives at St. Francis?

• The introduction of the International Space Program (ISSP). St. Francis is one of only nine schools nationwide chosen to participate in this unique applied math, science, and engineering experience. 
• We partnered with the CSUS engineering department to support our STEM programs.
• We plan to add one STEM program per year, which will be Roboquest next year (a foundational robotics program available to all students). 
• Planning an upgrade of our Armory Building into Northern California’s top STEM Zone. 
• We also recently brought renowned gospel singer Ray Sidney to campus to direct and perform with our choirs and students.
• We are planning dual enrollment college courses to start as soon as next fall, which would allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.
• Reviewing the addition of Beach Volleyball courts, a walkway between the main campus and the STEM zone and fields, and the addition of a stunt-cheer team.
• Joint theater productions with other Catholic schools in our area.
• Planning classroom upgrades to enhance the learning environment.  

What is your message to families who are uncertain whether to apply or re-enroll?

Families can be confident that St. Francis will continue to offer an unparalleled, life-changing education rooted in Catholic values long into the future.

We are financially strong and growing. Our quality education will remain superior and unmatched. Schedule a tour today with Mrs. Karla Barbosa at admissions@stfrancishs.org to learn more.

St. Francis continues to reinforce that our benefits and values are not changing direction. We are actively advancing our mission to educate and empower young women across the region in a single-sex education environment.

Our culture is intentionally built around how girls learn successfully, and interact, and care for one another. It’s why our students leave St. Francis stronger, prepared for the world, and ready to head into their futures with confidence. 

How are alumnae being reassured that the St. Francis they loved will remain true to its roots?

We are built on Catholic faith and values and will remain true to those now and always. We have no plans to change the model that has helped thousands of girls become strong, confident, and well-educated women of Faith, Excellence, Leadership, and Service.

How do you plan to keep communication open and transparent with families during this time?

Leadership at St. Francis is committed to being transparent at all times. We email weekly updates, hold coffees with the President and Principal, and Town Hall forums.

We are also open to having you reach out via email or phone with any concerns, and our doors are always open. We encourage you to come to us with any questions you may have.

What can St. Francis community members do to help with enrollment and perception in the community?

The best way you can help right now is to continue sharing the strength of St. Francis. Talk proudly about your experience, your daughter’s or grand daughter’s experience, invite families to visit campus, and encourage prospective parents to attend admissions events. Word-of-mouth from current families is our most powerful message. 

You can also help by attending campus events, volunteer opportunities, and support programs that make a difference for our students and community.

How is St. Francis ensuring alumnae remain connected and informed?

St. Francis will continue to engage regularly via email and print communications to our alumnae. If you do not receive either of these, please stop by the front office or send us an email with your information – Alumnae@stfrancishs.org. 

Our Alumnae board is fully committed to galvanizing our alumnae community to engage with each other and to support their alma mater.

Should donors be concerned about the school’s stability before continuing to give?

Not at all. You can be confident that you are giving to support a strong and stable school experiencing a renaissance of quality across the board. Your continued support is belief in our mission and allows us to continue offering unique transformative opportunities for young women. We appreciate your generous giving in support of our quest for excellence. 

How can the community trust that funds will sustain the school long-term?

You can be assured that every dollar donated goes to strengthening programs, facilities, and access. We are transparent about our finances, which are audited annually by an independent auditing firm and share with the community in our annual report, which will be delivered at the end of the year.

Will athletics programs be affected by Jesuit’s shift to co-divisional?

Shared use of facilities at Jesuit such as the pool, football field, and track will remain the same through the 2026–27 school year. Beyond that, neither school has determined what future facility sharing will look like, and we will keep you informed as plans develop.

We are pursuing partnerships with other collegiate campuses such as American River College and Sacramento City College, to ensure continued access to athletic facilities. 

Where will St. Francis teams practice and compete if facilities aren’t shared or changed?

Once our arrangements are finalized, we will share them with our St. Francis community. 

St. Francis will remain in the Sierra Foothill League with no changes, regardless of Jesuit’s future plans. The Sac-Joaquin Section Office oversees league alignment, which occurs every four years, and we are currently in year two of the existing alignment cycle.

Are any sports being cut or reorganized?

Our Athletics Department remains strong and focused on growth, excellence, and providing the very best opportunities for our students. We continue to explore ways to expand our offerings and enhance our facilities to deliver an exceptional experience for every student-athlete.

Looking ahead, we are excited to explore opportunities to expand our athletic offerings as budget and student interest allow. Two programs currently being reviewed include Beach Volleyball and Stunt Cheerleading.

How can the entire St. Francis community help strengthen the school’s reputation right now?

You can help by being an ambassador for St. Francis. Speak with confidence about our mission, our strength, and our bright future. Let others know that St. Francis is strong, thriving, and poised to grow. Every positive conversation reinforces the truth of who we are. Feel free to direct folks to Dr. Moran or Mr. Mendoza for more information.

If you have questions, please ask us. We invite you to come visit the campus and see for yourself the wonderful sisterhood, strong academics, and continued faith that shine everyday.