School Profile

St. Francis de Sales School (SFS) is a Catholic parish grade school serving children in grades preschool through 8th grade. The SFS mission is actively supported by St. Francis de Sales Parish, located in Lake Zurich, IL. For more than 60 years, SFS has remained committed to excellence, faith, inclusivity, and affordability.

Enrollment

Student population - 310 students
Towns served - Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Deer Park, Long Grove, North Barrington, Mundelein, Wauconda
Aid awarded - more than $100,000 in financial aid distributed annually

Accreditation

St. Francis de Sales School, a two-time Blue Ribbon award winner (2007 and 2018), is fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education. SFS is a member of the National Catholic Education Association. It is also a Common Sense School, recognized for its dedication to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly.

Campus

50 acres
Major renovation in 2004
Modern gymnasium
Technology integrated into classrooms
Secure school entrance

Schedule
St. Francis de Sales operates on a semester system. The school day begins at 7:40 am (the first bell rings at 7:30 am). Students are dismissed beginning at 2 pm. Classes of core subjects meet for 40 minutes, five days per week. Specialty classes, such as technology, physical education, art, Spanish, and music typically are twice per week for each student.

Honors/Advanced Courses
About 50% of SFS 4th-8th graders take part in the accelerated mathematics program, where they move up a grade for that year’s class. The majority of SFS students participate in at least one Honors/Accelerated class.

Specials
One distinctive aspect of SFS is the integration of subjects to make a cohesive learning experience. SFS takes this concept to another level for students by enriching learning through regular Music, Physical Education, Technology, Spanish, and Visual Arts classes, also known as "specials" among the students. Most students participate twice weekly in these classes.

Individualized Instruction Program (IIP)
At SFS, we utilize a small-group, twice-a-week pull-out Resource model in grades K-4 to address unfinished learning in the area of reading. Starting in grade 5, we offer a Resource period that takes the place of Spanish where students have the opportunity for individualized academic and organizational support.

Class of 2023
The SFS Class of 2023 featured 38 graduates with the majority selecting Lake Zurich High School or Carmel Catholic High School for secondary education. Other high schools attended included Saint Viator High School, Stevenson High School, and Barrington High School.

Leadership
SFS graduates intelligent, ethical, hard-working leaders for the 21st Century. Through programs that require a significant commitment of time, such as the National Junior Honors Society, Student Council, and the Spring Musical, students grow in confidence, poise, and determination.

Extracurricular Programs
SFS students enjoy a variety of after-school clubs and activities, moderated by faculty, as well as licensed third-party providers.

Athletics
St. Francis de Sales participates in the Northwest Catholic Conference (NWCC) which consists of Catholic schools in southwest Lake County and northwest Cook County. Full teams in five boys' and five girls' sports currently compete for the St. Francis de Sales Eagles. SFS' athletic programs are dedicated to the teaching and enjoyment of sports, sound Christian character development, skill development, good sportsmanship, and team/school spirit. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, St. Francis athletes are expected to be gracious in defeat, as well as in victory.