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St. Francis of Assisi School

United States, Baltimore

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees $8,850
Ages 2 - 14 years
Opened 1955
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Catholic Curriculum, IB (MYP)
Taught languages Spanish
Strengths STEM, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

St. Francis of Assisi School is a Catholic campus serving children from ages 2 through 14 on a northeast Baltimore site. The curriculum follows Archdiocese of Baltimore standards and is enhanced by the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for grades 6–8. It is the Archdiocese's first school to offer IB MYP. Spanish is the second language of instruction for Pre‑K to 8, with IB MYP students receiving at least 50 hours of language study. The school emphasizes Catholic identity and cross‑curricular inquiry learning, supported by a 1:1 Chromebook program for grades K–8 and 3D printing to enrich instruction. Preschool, established in 1989 and relocated in 2008, operates within the campus, with a third floor added in 1997. Outdoor spaces include 375 acres of woodland in Herring Run Park and a 1.3‑mile fitness loop near Lake Montebello. After‑school STEM clubs, robotics, choir, and athletics broaden student life for curious, engaged learners.

3617 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21218

The Essentials

St. Francis of Assisi School has instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
3617 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States. Located in Northeast Baltimore City, in the Lake Montebello/Mayfield area.

Stages
Pre-K2 through 8th grade. Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School.

Type
Co-ed Catholic school

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Catholic
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
St. Francis of Assisi School has a dress code requiring full uniform for all students; Preschoolers do not wear uniforms. The standard uniform includes grade-specific pieces (e.g., knee-length jumper or khaki pants with white blouse for girls; navy pants with white shirt and belt for boys; ties required in some grades) with a summer option, and a PE uniform for PE days; uniforms are purchased from Flynn & O'Hara or Lands' End.

Food Options
The school offers a hot lunch program. Heaven Sent Catering provides hot lunch service Monday through Friday; meals are prepared off-site and delivered to students, and parents order online.

Governance and Ownership
St. Francis of Assisi School is a parish school of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Baltimore. It is a Catholic school serving Pre-K2 through 8th Grade and is the only International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program middle school in Baltimore.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Francis of Assisi School ranges from USD 8,850 for 2026/27.

Tuition (annual and typical 10‑month payment)
- Kindergarten through 8th Grade (annual): USD 8,850 for the first child; USD 7,250 for the second child (USD 1,600 discount); USD 6,850 for the third and subsequent children (USD 2,000 discount). Typical monthly payment when spread over the school's July–April billing period (10 months): USD 885.00 (1st child), USD 725.00 (2nd child), USD 685.00 (3rd+ child).
- Preschool (five days per week, 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.): USD 8,850 per child (Preschool is not included in the sibling discount). Typical monthly payment when spread over July–April (10 months): USD 885.00.

Application, enrollment and recurring fees
- Application Fee (new families only, non‑refundable; due at application): USD 60 per child.
- Enrollment Fee (re‑registration, non‑refundable; due at re‑registration): USD 325 per child.
- Technology Fee (non‑refundable): USD 150 per child.
- Materials & Books Fee (non‑refundable): USD 250 per child.
- Safety Fee (non‑refundable): USD 175 per child.
- Graduation Fee (8th grade only): USD 125.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard billing period for the 2026–2027 school year: payable July 2026 through April 2027. Typical monthly payment schedule runs July through April (10 monthly payments).
- Tuition is managed and collected through the FACTS tuition management system; the school does not process tuition payments on site. FACTS supports single (one‑time), monthly, and semi‑annual plan options. Incidental or occasional charges (field trips, drop‑in aftercare, supplies) are billed separately as incidental billing and must be paid within 30 days to avoid late fees. Families who pay the full year in a single payment by May 31 may be eligible for a 2% discount.
- Delinquency and collection terms: accounts 30 days past due may result in student suspension from attendance and school activities until brought current; accounts 60 days past due may result in required withdrawal for nonpayment. The school may withhold report cards, transcripts and records until accounts are paid in full.

Payment methods and processing fees
- Accepted methods via FACTS/e‑Cashier: automatic bank (EFT) deductions from U.S. checking or savings accounts, credit card, and check (check accepted for single‑payment option only). A credit card convenience fee applies (2.5%).

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; St. Francis of Assisi is a day school serving Pre‑K2 through Grade 8.

Before‑ and After‑School care (extended care) and related charges
- Program hours: Before Care generally runs from 7:00 a.m. to the start of the school day; After Care runs from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. Extended Care requires a completed registration form and a registration fee when applicable. Fees for drop‑in use and contracted schedules are billed through FACTS and are subject to late‑payment penalties and removal from the program for balances past due. Families are charged for contracted days per week and unused days do not carry forward. Late pickup fees apply (published in the extended care procedures). Example published rates for a prior year (illustrative of the program's fee structure) include drop‑in and tiered monthly rates by days per week; registration and billing rules remain in effect and extended‑care fees are billed through FACTS.

Fundraising, volunteer hours and related charges
- Required fundraising and volunteer obligations: each family is required to participate in specified school fundraisers (Turkey/Spaghetti Dinner and Race for Education) and to provide a minimum of 20 service hours per year. A placeholder charge is posted to the family's FACTS account at the start of the year to secure the volunteer requirement (USD 400, charged in July, equivalent to USD 20 per required hour). Completed volunteer hours are credited to the FACTS account; a final reconciliation is posted in May. Required minimum fundraising levels that are not met will be charged to the family's FACTS agreement (examples: Turkey/Spaghetti Dinner minimum USD 15 per student; Race for Education minimum USD 125 per family as listed in current parent/student materials).

Other costs and policies
- Uniforms / dress code: uniforms are required for K–8 students; preschool students do not wear uniforms. Uniform items and PE uniforms are sold through approved vendors (Flynn & O'Hara and Lands' End). Costs for uniform pieces vary by vendor and item and are purchased directly from those vendors. Dress code expectations, summer and PE uniform options, and rules for out‑of‑uniform days are published in school materials.
- Required fundraisers and minimum participation contributions (see above) are billed through FACTS if targets are not met. Families must meet financial obligations and support fundraising expectations as part of the enrollment contract.

Refunds and withdrawal penalties
- Tuition refunds are contingent on the school receiving written notice of withdrawal prior to the student's actual departure date; the refund amount is determined based on the actual departure date. Under the enrollment contract, written withdrawal notice received after April 15 triggers a penalty equal to 20% of the applicable net tuition plus forfeiture of 100% of applicable fees for the upcoming academic year. Attendance for any day of the academic year generally makes the parent/guardian liable for 100% of the applicable tuition and fees for that year. The school reserves the right to withhold records (except health records) until accounts are paid in full.

Notes on transactional handling
- Incidental charges (drop‑in aftercare, field trips, supplies, etc.) are billed as incidental items in FACTS and are due within 30 days. If a family uses state Child Care Scholarship vouchers, the school requires the family to continue payments at the full tuition rate through FACTS until the school receives the physical voucher.

If a specific fee line or exact vendor price is needed for an item not listed above (for example, uniform item pricing or vendor catalog prices), those amounts are set by the vendor and by the school's current fee schedules and are handled through the school's ordering process and FACTS billing.
Academics

St. Francis of Assisi School teaches Catholic Curriculum, IB (MYP) for students aged 2 to 14.

Curriculum
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Curriculum is followed. The course of study meets and exceeds Maryland State Department of Education requirements. The Archdiocese reviews and updates the curriculum periodically. Preschool through 8th grade is offered, with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for grades 6-8. The curriculum emphasizes Catholic identity and cross-curricular inquiry learning.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:9

Higher Education Progression
Graduates go on to the finest high schools in the region. From there, they proceed to colleges.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) is implemented to support all students and improve academic and social outcomes. The program is implemented in partnership with Shepherd Pratt Health System and Johns Hopkins University. PBIS is not a packaged curriculum but a framework for organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions to maximize outcomes for all students. The Archdiocesan Bullying Prevention, Intervention & Response Policy guides behavior management to maintain a safe, Christ-centered environment. The school has been recognized with a Bronze Level award by the Maryland State Department of Education for its positive school environment. A bullying reporting form is available to report incidents.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides support for students with learning differences through a learning specialist and an on-site reading/math specialist. Accommodation plans are developed when appropriate to support individual students, and outside professional assessment is required to receive accommodations. A Student Advocacy Team meets regularly to discuss SAPs and how to best meet each student's needs. The school maintains regular communication with parents to facilitate ongoing support. There is an on-site social worker in addition to a school counselor who provide emotional support and guidance and can liaise with external service providers. For additional questions, the Learning Specialist can be contacted.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Support for students not proficient in English follows an inclusive approach with a Learning Specialist, Title I services, and differentiated instruction with accommodations. Adjustments may include pocket translators or translation software, additional thinking time, simplified language, modeling, recasts, and increased student verbalization to practice language skills. Second Language Acquisition (Spanish) is part of the program, with the IB MYP requiring study of at least two languages to foster intercultural awareness. All students from Pre-K through 8th grade are offered Spanish as a second language, with Middle School students receiving at least 50 hours of Spanish instruction per year. The language profile indicates about 90% of the student body speaks English as a mother tongue, with a diverse immigrant population represented. Language instruction in English emphasizes across-subject communication and aligns with the Archdiocesan Course of Study.

Mental Wellbeing
An on-site social worker and a school counselor provide emotional support and guidance to students. They can serve as a liaison with external service providers when needed to support mental wellbeing. The school uses the PBIS framework to promote positive social behavior and a safe, respectful learning environment. The Archdiocesan policy supports a safe, caring atmosphere and appropriate procedures for addressing concerns. Together, these resources create a framework for students' social-emotional growth and well-being.

Safeguarding
The Archdiocesan Bullying Prevention, Intervention & Response Policy prohibits bullying, harassment, or intimidation on school property or at school-sponsored events and requires clear reporting procedures. Incidents reported under this policy are handled by school leadership in coordination with local authorities when necessary. The school provides a Bullying Reporting Form to facilitate timely reporting of concerns. The policy emphasizes prevention, intervention, and the protection of all students within a Christ-centered environment.
Parent Experience

History
St. Francis of Assisi School's history begins with the founding of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in northeast Baltimore. The parish church, dedicated in 1927, was later converted into a school when a new church was built, and the school opened in 1955 with four classrooms. In 1957 the second floor was added, creating eight classrooms plus a library and an office; the first class graduated in 1961. A preschool, originally called Mayfield Christian Preschool, was established in September 1989 at St. Matthew United Church of Christ and relocated to the school in 2008. A third floor was added in 1997. The school began offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program in 2015, and the preschool achieved Maryland EXCELS Level 5 recognition in 2018.

Community
The school is neighborhood-centered in the Mayfield area of Baltimore. Students walk to school, and families socialize with neighbors, while local businesses host events and fundraisers that support the school. The school lists community partners including Mayfield Neighborhood Association, Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Morgan State University, Neighborhoods of Belair-Edison, Friends of Herring Run Park, Healthy Neighborhoods, Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, Catapult Learning, and Women's Education Alliance. These partnerships help extend the school's impact beyond the campus.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Home and School Association (HASA) is the parent organization for St. Francis of Assisi School; all parents are members and the association meets three times a year. HASA collects annual dues billed through the FACTS system in July. The executive board includes a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, with elections held in spring. Parents are encouraged to engage with classroom events through Class Parents and HASA provides support to both the school and the parent community. Events organized by HASA include activities such as Bingo Night, and a HASA manual guides its activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
St. Francis of Assisi School operates on a multi‑story campus rooted in the city of Baltimore. The original building opened in 1955 with four classrooms, an assembly hall, and an office. In 1957, the second floor was added, yielding eight classrooms, a library, and an additional office. A third floor was added in 1997 to expand the facility. The preschool program began in 1989 and was relocated to the first floor of the school in 2008. Maryland EXCELS Level 5 Top‑Rated Pre‑K Program is offered at the preschool.

Sports Facilities
Athletic facilities extend beyond the campus. The school uses 375 acres of woodland in the adjacent Herring Run Park and a 1.3 mile fitness loop around nearby Lake Montebello for gym classes and recreation. Soccer is offered through CYO for ages 3–14. Cross country is available for grades 4–8, with competitions in the Archdiocese hosted by Archbishop Curley High School. Track and field takes place in the spring, including participation in events such as the Youth Bowl at Archbishop Curley High School.

Academic Facilities
St. Francis of Assisi School offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP) and is the Archdiocese of Baltimore's first school to offer IB MYP. Spanish is the second language of instruction; all students Pre‑K to 8th grade learn Spanish, with IB MYP students receiving at least 50 hours of instruction per year. Language instruction (English) follows the Archdiocesan Course of Study, and English learners receive inclusion and language‑support services as needed. Technology is integrated across the curriculum with a 1:1 Chromebook program for grades K–8, electronic displays in every classroom, and 3D printing to support instruction.

Extra Curricular Facilities
St. Francis of Assisi School provides a wide array of after‑school activities including sports, arts, academic clubs, and community service initiatives. Club offerings include Student Council (grades 6–8), Instrumental Music Club, STEM Club, Robotics Club, SFA Student Choir (grades 4–8), Arts & Crafts, Yoga, Altar Servers, Dance, Cross Country/Track & Field (grades 4–8), Chess Club, and National Junior Honor Society (grades 7–8). Students have access to after‑school STEM clubs and other activities coordinated with instructors listed for each program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
STEM Club and Robotics Club/Team provide STEM exploration. Chess Club develops strategic thinking; National Junior Honor Society (Grades 7-8, by vote) recognizes scholarly achievement.

Arts & Creative
Instrumental Music Club; SFA Student Choir (Grades 4-8); Arts & Crafts Club (Grades 2-5); Dance (K-8) offer performance and creative outlets.

Social & Hobbies
Yoga (Grades K-8) provides a wellness and mindfulness option. Altar Servers (Grades 4-8) involve service to the parish.

Community & Service
Community service initiatives are part of student life and are integrated with school programs.

Leadership & Professional
Student Council (Grades 6-8) is elected by peers. National Junior Honor Society (Grades 7-8, by vote) provides leadership and service opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Cross Country/Track & Field (Grades 4-8) promotes fitness and teamwork.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish is taught in the Middle School as part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). The MYP includes Design, Spanish, and Art as core disciplines. World Languages is listed as an Additional Subject Area in Preschool.
Admissions

Admissions
Online application is required. Create an account in the Admissions portal, complete the application online, and pay the application fee. The school will contact you with a decision after the process is completed. Preschool and Kindergarten applicants are placed on a waiting list; the Director of Enrollment will inform you of your place on the waiting list. For 1st–8th grades, you must upload the child's school records and standardized testing scores; if the child has attended more than one school, provide a final report card for the previous school. After the required information is received, the Director of Enrollment schedules a shadow date. Current families are asked to recommit to the school in December. Once openings are determined by grade, the names on the waitlist are contacted in the order they were accepted to complete the registration process. Registration for new students begins during Open House in October. A baptismal certificate (unless the child was baptized at St. Francis of Assisi or is a non-Catholic) and a birth certificate must be presented at registration. If there is a waiting list, spaces become available and families ordinarily have five business days to accept the place and pay the non-refundable registration fee. Registration is an implied contract renewed each year; admission is for a probationary period of up to one year. Age requirements: PreK 2 (2 by September 1); PreK 3 (3 by September 1); PreK 4 (4 by September 1); Kindergarten (5 by September 1).

Scholarships
Financial aid is administered through FACTS Grant & Aid Analysis. The deadline for applying to FACTS is February 28; the grants portal opens in November. All families are required to create a FACTS account to manage tuition payments, and the grant and aid application is housed on the same platform. Preschool Aid is available via government vouchers; no additional financial aid is provided for Pre-K. Additional financial aid opportunities include The Theresa F. Truschel Charitable Foundation; The Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore; The Knott Scholarship; GB Charities.

Waitlist
Preschool and Kindergarten applicants are placed on the waiting list and the Director of Enrollment will inform families of their place on the waitlist. For 1st–8th grades, current families recommit in December; once openings are determined, names on the waitlist are contacted in the order they were accepted to complete registration.
School Events
The school has not added events
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