The first parochial classes for St. Francis Xavier were held in a building on the north side of Main Street in 1858. There were 5 students. In 1864 St. Francis School was established under the direction of Fr. Kortenkamp and began with 15 students in a rented room. A large brick building was constructed on the north side of the frame school in 1876 at a cost of $9,000. The Sisters of St. Francis from Iowa City arrived and resided in the frame part of the school. By the fall of 1905, 600 students were taught by 7 Sisters of 4 Brothers of Mary from Dayton, OH. To accommodate the increased enrollment, in 1907 Warning Hall was constructed. In 1949, the present 3 floor section of the elementary school building was constructed at a cost of $450,000. In 1951, the gymnasium was built. In 2006, an addition to the building was constructed. Soaring over the entire school campus is a cross indicating the purpose of this school as a place to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. Our school assists parents in forming their children in faith as they were claimed by the cross of Christ in baptism.
A large statue of St. Francis Xavier, the school’s patron, towers over those who enter our school. Every classroom has a crucifix. Hallways have statues and religious images to foster friendship with God and a rich spiritual life.
Each day begins with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance from the principal over the public address system. Students pray daily before lunch and at the end of the day as well. Teachers incorporate prayer in their classrooms throughout the day, often utilizing elements of the current feast day or liturgical season. Priests visit our classrooms regularly to offer spiritual formation and learning. They also eat with students and foster good relationships with them. Priests also participate in assemblies and special events.
Weekly Masses are planned by our teachers and their students. Students also carry out liturgical ministries. Prayer services are provided on Grandparents Day and Veterans Day. The broader parish community remains involved in the formation of our students as they participate in these liturgies. Parishioners are also invited to serve as prayer partners for those preparing for Penance and Reconciliation and for their first reception of Holy Communion. Opportunities for confession are provided communally during Advent and Lent. Daily theological instruction unfolds in our classrooms through teachers who are Catholic and generally active in their faith. Religious education and instruction meet Archdiocesan requirements. Teachers are formed in faith through in-services throughout the year. Questions are posed to students about weekend experiences of worship. Teachers assist with sacramental preparation in the second grade and are present for the celebration of these sacraments.
Art and Music classes embody elements of faith as students express their beliefs through these creative mediums. Students are challenged to put their faith into practice through service-learning projects throughout the year including collections at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cards are prepared for recently baptized babies, priests, seminarians and veterans.
When discipline is necessary, it is provided within the context of faith and how one’s decisions should mirror the will of God.
Academic Excellence
St. Francis Xavier is an elementary school enrolling 352 students in grades PreK-6. 72 students are enrolled in the 3 year old PreK, 4 year old preK, and Junior Kindergarten collectively. 280 students are enrolled in the K-6 program. St. Francis Xavier Elementary is a non-public school accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. St. Francis Xavier Curriculum The kindergarten–6th grade students at St. Francis Xavier School receive a comprehensive educational program including daily religion, reading, and mathematics classes; weekly science, social studies, physical education, music, technology, and art classes; health, financial literacy and computer coding classes. Religion classes follow the Archdiocese of Dubuque standards and guidelines focusing on faith, knowledge, service, sacraments and prayer.
Teachers maintain a balanced literacy and mathematical program by combining whole class instruction, small group instruction and independent learning to meet/exceed the state standards and needs of all students within the classroom. The reading/literacy classes focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, writing and comprehension. Students are expected to use text evidence to support a claim. Mathematical classes focus on a solid conceptual understanding of mathematics so that students can apply the math taught in the classroom to solve problems that may arise within and outside the classroom. St. Francis Xavier’s science education focuses on the state’s three core ideas: science and engineering practices (investigations, methods, analyzing and interpreting data, etc.) , disciplinary core ideas (weather, matter, traits, etc.), and crosscutting concepts (patterns, cause and effect, etc.).
St. Francis Xavier School is improving upon the current social studies curriculum to align with the new state standards. The curriculum will focus on creating compelling and supporting questions, gathering and evaluating sources, and using evidence to develop claims. These standards will help our students make informed decisions as citizens of our community.
St. Francis Xavier strives to meet the diverse needs of all students. As a professional learning community, Xavier utilizes a multi-tier system of supports to ensure all students learn. Xavier relies on standardized testing and grade level data to ensure all students’ academic needs are addressed. Xavier offers a robust state-aligned core curriculum to all students. This curriculum is taught by instructors who implement the Iowa Core characteristics of effective instruction. If state testing and classroom data indicate that a student needs additional support or enrichment, Xavier accommodates for those needs. If data indicates that there are academic gaps in the student’s progress, the student will meet with a teacher at least 3x a week to focus on those skills. Xavier’s most at-risk students are placed in a resource program, a heavily-structured classroom that pairs struggling students with a licensed teacher. The resource teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to provide daily academic lessons. Xavier also utilizes a school associate, under the guidance of the classroom teacher and/or resource teacher, to help increase academic success. Xavier’s high-achieving students have the opportunity to work weekly with a teacher focusing on STEAM activities and challenging concepts to increase student academic skills and problem solving.
Standardized Testing
All students in grades 3-6 take the new state assessment, the Iowa Statewide Assessment Of Student Progress (ISASP) during the Spring semester. This assessment tests all 3-6th grade students on reading, language arts and mathematical concepts/skills. This assessment also tests 5th graders on science concepts. Additionally, all students in grades K-6 take the FASTBRIDGE assessments 3x each year addressing reading and mathematical concepts/skills. Xavier teachers use assessment data to help determine the strengths and needs of individual students. Teachers evaluate each screening assessment (Fall, Winter and Spring) to determine which students are making adequate progress, which students require additional support and which students would benefit from enrichment. Adoption of Academic Materials St. Francis Xavier Elementary follows a textbook/curriculum adoption cycle that allows the purchase of new material every seven years for each subject. A textbook/curriculum review team is used to analyse new material and present options to all certified staff. Feedback is solicited from all certified prior to adoption. St. Francis Xavier Elementary uses the following criteria in the adoption process: Alignment with Iowa Core Standards, Aligned with Catholic teachings, Accessibility to all students (manipulatives, text, technology, visuals). St. Francis Xavier Elementary utilizes a publicly-funded instructional support account and state textbook funds for the purchase of all non-sectarian academic purchases. St. Francis Xavier utilizes local funds for all theology-related purchases.
Ongoing Professional Learning
St. Francis Xavier Elementary aligns annual professional learning with the schoolwide goals that are embedded in our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) that is submitted annually to the Iowa Department of Education. Current professional learning has focused on best practices in teaching math and reading (number talks, math manipulatives, guided reading, flexible grouping, fluency, MTSS/interventions, 6+1 writing traits), Social Studies standards, Growth Mindset, making connections with students/student mental health, and several book studies and journal readings. St. Francis Xavier Elementary utilizes the services of the Area Education Agency (AEA) to assist in professional learning through onsite training and offsite training. Professional learning takes form through book studies/journal reading, professional speakers, Education Leadership magazine for all staff, and grade level PLC’s. SFX has a part-time curriculum coordinator who assists in coordinating and leading professional learning. St. Francis Xavier Elementary utilizes a standards based teacher evaluation system (see attachment). Teachers are required to annually update their Tier II improvement goal that aligns with CSIP/school goals. Classroom walk-throughs and video lessons provide instructional feedback for staff.
Student Programs/Co-Curricular Opportunities
St. Francis Elementary offers a TAG program, Battle of the Books program, and an after school Homework Sessions for students to finish their homework. St. Francis Xavier has a strong Physical Education program that includes cross country skiing, down-hill skiing, archery, ping pong, and many other non-traditional athletic activities. Academic Strengths ● Continuously score above state and diocesan averages on state assessments ● Low teacher turnover/Quality teaching staff ● Update to date curriculum materials