Mission Moment #1

A Summer of Mission in Action

The Ave Crux Summer Program was a great success, serving as a powerful expression of our mission. We hosted a total of 72 students from various public and private middle schools on our campus, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from high school or college. The program’s goal is to prepare students not only to succeed in the next grade but also to equip them for the rigorous academic environment of a college prep high school. This program provides crucial academic development through grade-level preparation and fosters social skills through cohort learning and enriching extracurricular activities, equipping our students with the confidence and skills to become the next generation of leaders.

This year was my third, and it was special to see a class grow from 6th to 8th grade. I've seen their development from learning our values to preparing for the application process. These kids fully take advantage of every opportunity and are so excited to be a part of our community. Getting to know them has assured me that the future of Saint Francis is going to be great!

Christian Chifan '26 - Ave Crux Teacher Assistant

Mission Moment #3

Nurturing Students Well-being

This past spring, our campus community continued its vital work in fostering student well-being. Our Bring Change to Mind chapter, a national mental health awareness organization, hosted impactful monthly events throughout the year aimed at encouraging open conversations and strengthening emotional resilience. These initiatives, rooted in the guiding principle that to love our neighbor effectively, we must first care for ourselves, provided crucial support, helping students build the strength to be fully present for others. Their year-long efforts culminated recently in a joyful end-of-year picnic and games in our serene St. Joseph Prayer Garden, celebrating a year of open dialogue and growing awareness.

It's been so rewarding to witness our students build a community of care. The Bring Change to Mind chapter has been instrumental in creating a safe space for open dialogue, where every student knows they are supported and that their well-being is a priority.

MaryLynne Rodriguez - Counselor

Mission Moment #4

Innovating for Health

Our students continued to learn and innovate this summer, developing solutions for real-world challenges through our Lancers LEAP innovation program. A cohort of students recently completed a three-week workshop focused on creating healthcare solutions for underrepresented populations. Through this project, students learned about diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, explored how social and economic issues affect access to care, and designed and built prototypes to solve everyday health challenges. This immersive experience, hosted in partnership with DxD Health Tech, equipped our students with the skills and compassion to become future leaders and innovators in the healthcare field.

This program was my first opportunity to explore biomedical engineering in high school. What I valued most was experiencing the entire design process—from brainstorming to prototyping with feedback from professionals—and finishing with a 3D printed product I was eager to showcase.

Gabriela Sipko '26

Mission Moment #5

Investing in Our Students by Investing in Our Campus

This summer was a period of significant improvements across our campus, all designed to offer an even better experience to our students while practicing good stewardship. Our new Tom Tuite track now features modern surfacing and expanded exchange zones, aligning with the latest NFHS and NCAA safety standards to give our student-athletes a competitive edge. In a powerful act of stewardship, we also installed a new composite deck around our iconic Bay laurel tree, which not only protects the health of the 200+ year-old landmark but also creates a beautiful gathering space for our students. Additionally, our Ron Calcagno stadium now includes LED lighting. These lights not only improve visibility but also decrease energy consumption. Finally, the Alumni Gym received a major refresh, with a newly refinished floor with updated branding and our iconic Bay laurel tree as the backdrop. In progress for the Alumni Gym are repainted walls and branding providing a revitalized and welcoming space for our teams and visitors. These enhancements ensure our facilities reflect our commitment to excellence and directly contribute to our students' success.

This summer's improvements are a direct investment in our students and our mission. We're proud to provide state-of-the-art facilities that reflect our commitment to their safety, success, well-being, and the long-term stewardship of our campus.

Robbie Copple '02 - Facilities Director