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About Us

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, located in the City of Kingston’s Rideau Heights Community, opened its doors on September 5, 2017 to approximately 330 students and 40 staff. Principal Dan Finn and Vice Principal Chris Gencarelli welcomed staff, students, and families from three retired Catholic Schools – St. Peter Catholic School, St. Patrick Catholic School and Holy Family Catholic School – to the new Catholic learning community of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. 
 
With the groundbreaking ceremony taking place on May 24, 2016, the construction of a new state-of-the-art learning facility took place on the grounds of Holy Family Catholic School. In consultation with students, families and our local Parish, the name “St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School” was chosen, and on December 13, 2017, the school was officially blessed by His Grace, Archbishop Brendan M. O’Brien. 
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School was designed to offer flexible and responsive learning environments. With a focus on collaborative teaching and learning, educators work together to plan, instruct, and assess student learning to meet the needs of each child. The school is made up of three separate learning communities, each with five learning studios (classrooms), a learning commons space, community washrooms and an educator workroom. Click the video below to take a tour of our Catholic learning community. 

The school community, full of enthusiasm, embraced a new mission statement and an official school logo. The mission statement confirms that: " We, the community of St. Francis of Assisi, work hard to enrich the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical well-being of our students. We look to St. Francis as a model of humility, joy, and respect for all of God's creations. We aim to create a respectful environment where all students feel safe and accepted. We recognize and foster each persons' gifts thereby supporting their ability to make positive contributions to their school and society." 
 
Presently, the school facility shares space with The Boys and Girls Club Before and After Care Program. In addition, the Pete Petersen Basketball League, which has been a partner with ALCDSB for over 60 years, continues to offer their recreational program to students within our community out of our gymnasium, the Don “Pete” Petersen Gymnasium. 

As a community of faith, the school staff works closely with Friar Jim and Friar David, pastor of Holy Family Church and St. John the Apostle Church, respectively, to prepare students for the sacraments of Reconciliation, the Eucharist, and Confirmation and to provide monthly school Masses and Reconciliation services, as well as special seasonal liturgical celebrations.

One of the most distinctive features of our Roman Catholic faith is our Church's rich tradition of social teaching. It is critical to the unique profile of Catholic education that this teaching be explicitly integrated not only into the curriculum but also into the overall life of our school communities.
 
Our students, staff, parents, trustees, and pastors have traditionally involved themselves in a wide range of social action activities. At St. Francis Assisi Catholic School, we showcase our commitment to social justice through our involvement in the Terry Fox Run, We Day, Food and Sock Drives, Advent Projects in support of local shelters, and our annual financial contributions to various local charitable organizations. 
 
The school is also proud to be a gold level Eco-School, with both students and staff making daily efforts to recycle and reuse what they can and be stewards for the environment.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is privileged to be supported by a very cooperative and dedicated School Council which values the learning needs of all children in the school.

The goal of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is to empower the students to develop spiritually, academically, socially, and physically so that they can discover who they are and what they can become. Students will develop a sense of self-worth and confidence both independently and in their interactions with others.  Through a focus on the Catholic Graduate Expectations students will discover they are all created in the image of God and will be encouraged to live a life of love.

At St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, we promote responsibility, respect, cooperation and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment, consistent with the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are created in the image of God and are, therefore, called to make the world a better place in which to live.

We, the community of St. Francis of Assisi, work hard to enrich the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical well-being of our students. We look to St. Francis as a model of humility, joy, and respect for all of God's creations. We aim to create a respectful environment where all students feel safe and accepted. We recognize and foster each persons' gifts thereby supporting their ability to make positive contributions to their school and society.


WORKING TOWARDS OUR MISSION

The goal of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is to empower the students to develop spiritually, academically, socially and physically so that they can discover who they are and what they can become. Students will develop a sense of self-worth and confidence both independently and in their interactions with others.  Through a focus on the Catholic Graduate Expectations students will discover they are all created in the image of God and will be encouraged to live a life of love.

The learning environment at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School encourages students to be life long active, enthusiastic, and self-directed problem solvers in a collaborative community of learners. It promotes co-operation among all members of the school community in creating compassionate, supportive programs which respect the special learning needs and abilities of all students.  Students are encouraged to take risks in their learning and persevere when faced with a challenge in their learning.

We encourage the development of environmentally conscious students with an understanding of community and global issues.  Our students will know the Catholic virtues and gain an understanding of how to live these virtues.

We believe in excellence in Catholic Education which encompasses more than high levels of student achievement. It is excellence which encourages idealism and values love. It is true excellence which rejoices in the uniqueness of each member of the school community.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

At St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, we promote responsibility, respect, cooperation and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment, consistent with the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are created in the image of God and are, therefore, called to make the world a better place in which to live.

Holy Family Parish

The ALCDSB is dedicated to creating and promoting a positive school climate and well-being in all of our schools. Respecting the dignity of all persons by fostering trusting relationships through policies and practices that promote equity, inclusion and diversity are at the core of our Catholic values, the Board's spiritual theme of Faith in Action and our provincial Catholic Graduate Expectations. A positive school climate is directly linked to student success and well-being, ensuring students are motivated to do well and will realize their full potential. We are committed to sustaining healthy and nurturing communities of belonging that are safe, caring and respectful and built on the principles of restorative practice and progressive discipline.


The ALCDSB and its school communities engage in a whole school approach in putting prevention and intervention strategies in place to facilitate a positive relationship between

students, staff, parents and community partners.


To view our school's commitment to promoting a positive school climate and well-being, please see the attached document below.​

In keeping with our Mission Statement, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is committed to the implementation of our Catholic School Code of Conduct that clearly reflects the need to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and healthy Catholic school community. All community members are expected to work together to develop spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally by aspiring to the highest possible standards of Catholic behaviour, in living out the gospel values, and by fostering a Catholic culture of respect, responsibility and concern for the common good.