Traditional Program

SFA offers educational experiences for all students PreK through 8th Grade with special programs for advanced students and students requiring special learning programs. We are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and a charter member of the National Catholic Education Association.

ECC - PreK, JrK, and Kindergarten - In the Early Childhood Center at St. Francis, we are committed to helping your child grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Our mission is to help the children learn to always do their best in how they pray, how they think, how they grow and how they play. We believe that children learn through peer interaction and play, as well as through hands-on activities, circle times and individualized attention. Our Early Childhood Center is certified by the Tennessee Department of Education and is accredited by AdvancED. Your child will blossom with the help of our caring, qualified teachers and staff. The Early Childhood Center offers low teacher-to-student ratios and has a full-time Director on site. At St. Francis, our top priority is starting your child’s education on a positive, loving path to ensure a love of learning and exploring.

Class size in PreKindergarten is approximately 10 students, in Junior Kindergarten, approximately 20 students and in Kindergarten, approximately 22 students, with a certified teacher and assistant assigned to each grade level. Classes meet five days per week from 7:50 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. Francis's early childhood daily program includes language, math, religion, recess, centers, story time, and special activities, which include physical education, music, art, library, and Spanish. We teach science and social studies through weekly themes and teach basic skills such as letter recognition, letter sounds, money, time, handwriting, and basic math concepts. Learning through play and table work encourages the child to not only learn cognitive skills, but also manners, patience, cooperation, sharing, and awareness of the feelings of others. Elem Ed

First Through 6th Grades - Class size is approximately 22 students in grades one through six. Classes meet from 7:50 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The curriculum in these grades is based on a sequential approach and includes religion, language arts, reading, mathematics, science and social studies. The Open Court reading program continues, and students also participate in the Accelerated Reader Program. The sequential program is a strong preparation for the advanced placement classes in junior high. All students in the elementary school participate in art, PLTW, library, music, Spanish, and "hands-on" science classes in a six-day rotation. Students take physical education classes twice in the six-day rotation and students participate in a wide variety of field trips.

Seventh & Eighth Grades - Grades seven and eight meet from 7:50 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the class size is approximately 22 students. Each teacher is certified in his/her area of specialty, allowing a team approach to teaching. When changing classes, students move to the teachers in an effort to introduce the high school environment.

Seventh grade attends Spanish class once during a six-day rotation and eighth grade attends daily. Both grades attend a variety of special interest or exploratory classes and after-school programs such as art club, chess, drama, and forensics. These enrichment programs enhance and extend classroom experiences. Physical education classes are attended twice in our six-day rotation schedule, while the intramural sports program stresses team-building skills.

All seventh grade students take Pre-Algebra, and all eighth grade students take Algebra I. Glencoe is the math program used for traditional and advanced placement classes. Qualified seventh and eighth grade students are invited to take advanced Pre-Algebra and Algebra. Students in grades 7 and 8 also complete requirements on the online program ALEKS.

SFA Middle School students participate in an active Student Government and a variety of other co-curricular activities that include an Academics Day team, Beta Club, National Junior Honor Society, Student Ambassadors and Yearbook. Seventh grade students participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Eighth grade students take a class trip to Washington, D.C., each spring. Peer counseling programs and assemblies are provided through the Behavioral Health Counselor. Athletic participation is encouraged through a wide variety of sports.