College Prep High School in Sacramento: How St. Francis Prepares Girls for College and Beyond
College Prep High School in Sacramento: How St. Francis Prepares Girls for College and Beyond
Many schools say they offer a college-preparatory experience. At St. Francis, it looks a little different.
From the moment girls step onto campus, they are part of a community that challenges them academically while helping them build the confidence and independence they’ll need in college and in the years that follow. College preparation isn’t something that starts junior year; it’s part of everyday life and it starts from when our girls first step on campus.
A Strong Academic Foundation
At the heart of the St. Francis experience is a college-preparatory curriculum designed to challenge young women while helping them discover what they love to learn.
Girls take courses across English, mathematics, science, social sciences, world languages, theology, and the arts. Along the way, they build strong writing, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, essential abilities colleges expect and value.
Just as important as what they learn is how they learn. Classrooms are active and engaging, with discussion, collaboration, and thoughtful conversation at the center. Girls are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, and think beyond what’s written in the textbook.
Research shows that girls often thrive in all-girls learning environments. Without some of the social pressures found in co-ed classrooms, many feel more comfortable speaking up, taking academic risks, and stepping into leadership roles. At St. Francis, that environment helps girls grow in both confidence and ability.
By the time they graduate, St. Francis young women are prepared for college-level work and ready to engage with new ideas and perspectives.
Challenging Students Through Honors and AP Courses
As girls grow academically, many choose to challenge themselves through Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
St. Francis offers a wide range of AP classes that give girls the opportunity to explore subjects more deeply while getting a feel for college-level expectations. For some, an AP science class sparks an interest in research or medicine. For others, AP literature or history opens the door to future paths like law, education, or public policy.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the AP Capstone program, a College Board diploma program built around two year-long courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Unlike traditional AP classes that focus on specific subject areas, these courses take an interdisciplinary approach, helping girls strengthen skills like critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation.
Most students begin with AP Seminar in sophomore or junior year, followed by AP Research. In both courses, girls explore topics across multiple disciplines, often choosing subjects that reflect their own interests. Along the way, they complete a research project, write an academic paper, and present their findings.
The experience encourages girls to think more deeply, ask better questions, and make connections across subjects. They learn how to analyze complex topics, conduct independent research, and communicate their ideas clearly, develop skills that are essential in college and beyond.
Students who earn qualifying scores on AP Seminar, AP Research, and additional AP exams may earn the AP Capstone Diploma or a certificate, recognizing their advanced academic work.
Although the work is challenging, girls aren’t expected to figure it out on their own. Teachers are approachable and invested, and small class sizes make it easy to ask questions, get feedback, and stay engaged. Girls quickly learn that it’s okay to stretch themselves, try something new, and ask for help along the way.
That combination of challenge and support helps build both confidence and independence.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For many girls at St. Francis, learning doesn’t stop when class ends.
Academic teams and co-curricular opportunities give young women the chance to dive deeper into subjects they enjoy while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills along the way.
Girls can get involved in a variety of academic teams, including Mathletes, Science Olympiad, International Space Station Program, Model UN, Mock Trial, Robotics and Speech. Each offers a different kind of challenge, whether it’s solving complex problems, building a case, designing solutions, or presenting ideas with confidence.
These experiences often push girls in new ways. They learn to think on their feet, speak up, and trust their abilities, all while working toward a shared goal with their teammates.
Just as important, these teams create a space where girls can connect with others who share their interests. It’s not uncommon for friendships to grow out of practices, competitions, and the excitement of working toward something together.
Like everything at St. Francis, these opportunities are rooted in both challenge and support, giving girls the chance to stretch themselves while feeling part of something bigger.
Support That Helps Students Thrive
With so many opportunities to challenge themselves, students quickly learn they don’t have to do it alone.
At St. Francis, girls are surrounded by people who want to see them succeed. Teachers are accessible, classmates are collaborative, and asking for help is encouraged and understood to be part of the learning process.
Peer-to-peer tutoring gives girls a chance to learn from one another, while the counseling department regularly shares practical study tips to help them stay organized and manage their workload.
For those who benefit from additional structure, the Academic Enhancement Program offers extra support in areas like writing, reading comprehension, and time management. A Learning Support Specialist also works individually with students who have learning differences.
It’s an environment where girls feel comfortable challenging themselves because they know they’re supported every step of the way.
College Counseling and Support that Gets Results
College Counseling That Begins Early
One of the things families appreciate is how thoughtful and personal the college counseling program is at St. Francis.
Rather than waiting until junior year, girls begin exploring their future early in high school. Counselors meet with students one-on-one each year, starting with their freshman year, to talk through course selection and make sure their academic plans align with their goals.
Freshmen and sophomores focus on building strong habits and exploring interests, while also getting guidance as they choose classes for the following year. These early conversations help girls start to see how their choices shape what comes next.
In junior year, the college process becomes more focused. Girls attend a required college advisory meeting and begin more individualized planning. In the spring of junior year, counselors meet with each girl individually for college planning meetings. During these meetings, girls explore college options, talk through their interests, and begin shaping an application plan.
By senior year, the process feels much more manageable because they’ve been preparing for it all along.
Personalized Guidance Through the Application Process
Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but at St. Francis, girls don’t go through it alone. The college counseling team walks alongside them every step of the way, and many families find they don’t need an outside counselor.
Counselors help girls research colleges that fit who they are and what they’re looking for. They also guide the girls through building a résumé of activities, preparing for standardized tests if needed, and identifying scholarship opportunities.
Counselors also offer support with college essays. Writing about yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s a chance for girls to reflect on their experiences and share their story. Counselors provide thoughtful feedback, helping each young woman find her voice and present herself with clarity and confidence.
Learning About Colleges Firsthand
Exploring the right colleges is just as important as preparing a strong application.
Throughout the year, college admissions representatives visit campus to meet with students and share information about their schools. Events like College Nights allow families the opportunity to talk directly with dozens of college representatives and learn about a wide range of colleges in one place.
Regularly held workshops and information sessions further help families better understand financial aid, scholarships, and the application process.
By the time our young women begin applying to college, they have a clear sense of their options and what steps to take next.
Strong College Outcomes
The strength of a college-preparatory program is reflected in where students go and how prepared they feel when they get there. Our commitment to high standards is reflected in the latest University of California outcomes for our graduates.
When looking at Sacramento County private schools, we are ranked #1 among private schools in Sacramento County for admissions to the most competitive UC campuses, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and UC San Diego.
We also hold the #1 spot for combined admissions to UCLA and UC Berkeley, two of the most selective public universities in the country. Across all Sacramento schools, public and private, St. Francis ranks #1 in UC Berkeley acceptance rate, while maintaining the highest application rate. Many of our students who are admitted to Berkeley ultimately choose to enroll at other highly selective universities, reflecting the wide range of options available to them. Some of those schools include Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Boston College, Notre Dame, among others. Girls pursue a wide range of academic interests, from engineering and business to the arts and sciences.
This data provides a meaningful and consistent picture: St. Francis delivers outstanding outcomes across the UC system, especially at the most competitive campuses.
Just as important, our girls leave St. Francis ready for the transition. Graduates often share that they feel comfortable speaking up in class, managing demanding coursework, and balancing responsibilities from the start. These results reinforce what we see every day: our girls are challenged academically, supported personally, and prepared to succeed wherever their paths lead.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond College
While college preparation is a central focus, the St. Francis experience is about much more than academics.
Girls find their voices, grow as leaders, and learn what it means to be part of a supportive community. They build friendships, learn to work together, and develop a sense of confidence and purpose that stays with them long after graduation.
A Community That Encourages Girls to Aim High
Families looking for a college prep high school in Sacramento want a place where their daughters will be challenged and supported.
By the time they graduate, St. Francis’ young women are ready for what comes next. They leave with the academic preparation and self-assurance to step confidently into college and whatever path follows.
For families considering a college prep high school in Sacramento, the best way to understand the St. Francis experience is to see it firsthand. Spend time on campus and you’ll notice the energy in the classrooms, the encouragement between classmates, and the confidence our girls carry with them. It’s a place where young women are supported as they grow into who they are meant to become.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes St. Francis a college prep high school?
St. Francis offers a challenging academic program, Honors and AP coursework, and a comprehensive college counseling program that supports girls from freshman through senior year. The goal is to prepare young women not just for college admission, but for success once they arrive.
Explore our full course catalog and academic programs.
When does college counseling begin?
College counseling begins in freshman year. Girls receive early guidance on course selection and academic planning, with more focused college preparation beginning junior year.
How are juniors supported during the college process?
Juniors attend a required college advisory meeting and participate in one-on-one College Planning Meetings with counselors from February through May. These meetings help them explore colleges and begin building an application plan.
What academic support is available?
Support includes peer tutoring, accessible teachers, study tips from the counseling department, and programs like the Learning Support Program for additional guidance.
Do students meet college representatives?
Yes. College admissions representatives visit campus throughout the year, and events like College Nights allow girls and families to connect directly with colleges.
Is an outside college counselor necessary?
Most families find it isn’t needed. St. Francis counselors provide personalized, one-on-one support throughout the entire college planning and application process.
The best way to experience the difference is to see it in person. Plan your visit or start your application today.