March 20, 2023
Saint Francis High School received a $1 million grant from The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Foundation (Gellert Foundation) to support the school’s Holy Cross Achievers (HCA) Program, an initiative that offers students comprehensive assistance in meeting their long-term social and academic goals.
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HCA currently serves 60 students, all first-generation college-bound scholars from underrepresented backgrounds. Students benefit from one-on-one mentorship with an on-campus educator, student leadership formation, college readiness workshops, family connection opportunities and other forms of extensive support throughout their four years. “What we love most about the Holy Cross Achievers Program is that it provides a community for both the students and their families. We are thrilled to play a part in ensuring that this program will continue to flourish at Saint Francis High School,” said Jack Fiztpatrick, the executive director of the Gellert Foundation. |
This gift from the Gellert Foundation specifically targets student success, which is one of the three pillars underpinning the Light the Way comprehensive campaign, a $100 million-endeavor that Saint Francis has embarked on to support our students and educators. In addition to funding capital improvements and supporting educator excellence, the Light the Way campaign continues the commitment of Saint Francis to form students in the Holy Cross tradition of educating their hearts and minds. HCA is just one of many programs established at Saint Francis that enable students to flourish in a variety of ways with academic confidence, social leadership and spiritual renewal.
“Saint Francis is grateful to the Gellert Foundation for their generosity. This gift furthers our mission to make Holy Cross education accessible to talented students and help them transform into leaders of impact. The Holy Cross Achievers program is an integral part of our community, and we’re excited to utilize this grant to continue to serve, support and affirm our students and families.”
Jason D. Curtis
President of Saint Francis High School
About Gellert Foundation
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation has made grants to charities all across the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 65 years. The Foundation has supported numerous charitable causes over the years, from educational institutions to social services for the homeless, low-income housing, and religious, public and private school education. It has made the decision to sunset its operations in 2022. See more at www.gellertfoundation.org.
About Saint Francis High School
Founded in 1955 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, Saint Francis High School is a leading co-educational, diverse, Catholic, college preparatory school focused on educating the whole person. With a proven reputation for excellence in academics, athletics and the arts, the 118-member teaching staff prepare approximately 1,760 Saint Francis students for the rigors of college and the challenges of global citizenship in the enduring Holy Cross tradition. Saint Francis offers 162 courses in a traditional college preparatory curriculum spread across ten academic departments. Saint Francis is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Catholic Education Association, the College Board and the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. Located in Mountain View, California, Saint Francis High School is in the heart of Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.sfhs.com.
Media Contact
Jamie Ceccato Perkins ‘97
Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications
P: 650-968-1213 | Ext. 318