Catholic School Profile
St. Francis Xavier Mission Statement: St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is a Christ-centered school built on a strong foundation of Gospel values, empowering all to lead faith-filled lives.
Educational Beliefs:
Inspired by the Gospel of Matthew - 24:32 "Let the fig tree teach you a lesson."
Academically, the Xavier student enriches their mental abilities, articulates views orally and visually, becomes technologically sound, and evaluates objectives and solutions.
Inspired by the Gospel of Mark - 1:17 "Follow me."
Globally, the Xavier student develops self guided discipline and dignity, discovers cultural respect, participates in serving others and raises consciousness of social justice.
Inspired by the Gospel of Luke - 24:29 "Stay with us."
Physically, the Xavier student gains insight to cooperative participation, experiences self-improvement, and develops a keen sense of sportsmanship in competition.
Inspired by the Gospel of John - 20:19 "Peace be with you."
Spiritually, the Xavier student models love of God, appreciates the value of prayer in their lives, and lives out their faith in Church, family, and society.
History:
Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier School began as St. Joseph's School which was established in Brunswick in 1900. Reverend P.J. Luckie, S.M., requested that Rt. Reverend Benjamin J. Keiley, D.D., Bishop of Savannah, start a Catholic school in St. Francis Xavier parish. The Sisters of St. Joseph started and staffed the school in September of that same year.
A former boarding house on the corner of Richmond and Howe Streets became the first school opening with 60 pupils. Even in the beginning, this number of pupils proved to be too many for the building to accommodate, so in the spring of 1902, property was purchased and work begun on the colonial type building which served as convent and school for so many years.
In 1953 a new convent, designed by C.M. McGarvey, was built for the sisters. In 1955 plans were begun by Reverend James Cummings, S.M. for the erection of a new school. The new name, St. Francis Xavier School, replaced St. Joseph School as a tribute to the people of the parish who generously supported a parochial school.
The new building, located at 1121 Union Street directly east of the Church property, originally consisted of eight classrooms and a Kindergarten, a cafetorium and kitchen, a library and book supply room, lavatories, Principal's office, health room and teacher's lounge. The main building was built surrounding a lovely courtyard. Two new classrooms were built in 1964. Since then further expansions include a building for Kindergarten, a building for the Pre-School and Parish Center which is shared by the parish and school.
The mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph continues to be carried out at St. Francis Xavier School by Miss Erin Mary Finn, principal, Sister Anna B. Kearns, CSJ, and a dedicated faculty and staff.
Current Demographics:
Multi-parish school serving Glynn, Ware, Wayne, Camden and McIntosh counties
Student body:249 Catholic:60% Multiracial:18% Learning Impairment:14% Title I Eligible:11%
Faculty and Staff:32 Faculty and Staff Catholic:70%
Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Accrediation:
Under the direction of the Diocese of Savannah, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is fully accredited by the Advanced Ed (SACS) and Florida Catholic Conference up to 2014.
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