St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

🌟 Key Highlights: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School (SFA) is a private, co-educational Catholic elementary and middle school in Cordova, Tennessee (Memphis area). It offers a Christ-centered education in the Franciscan tradition, emphasizing academic excellence, service, and the development of the whole child.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Private / Independent Catholic School

• Location: Cordova, Tennessee (Memphis Area)

• Grades Served: 2K (Age 2) – 8th Grade

• Enrollment: Approximately 380–450 students

• Core Mission: To serve the community by providing a Christ-centered education in the Franciscan tradition, emphasizing standards of conduct and integrity while encouraging the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of the child.

• Accreditation: SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) / Cognia and NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association).

• Awards: Named a Blue Ribbon School in 2010.

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

SFA stands out for its strong faith foundation combined with a focus on modern skills and specialized support:

• Whole-Child Development in Faith: Education is rooted in Gospel values and the Catholic virtue of service, helping students to live a life of integrity and compassion modeled after St. Francis of Assisi. Students participate in All School Mass weekly.

• STEM & Project Lead The Way: Features dedicated STEM labs and utilizes the Project Lead The Way curriculum, developing students’ confidence in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication for a complex world.

• Specialized Learning Support: Offers specialized programs like RISE (Reaching Individual Success and Excellence) for students needing support in reading and math (grades 1-6), and works with students with learning differences like Dyslexia and ADHD.

• Middle School Structure: Grades 7 and 8 utilize a high school-like changing of classes with teachers certified in their area of specialty. Algebra I is offered to all 8th-grade students, with pre-Algebra in 7th grade.

• Small Class Sizes & Resources: Maintains a low 10:1 to 13:1 student-teacher ratio and provides students in grades 4-8 with 1:1 Apple technology (varies by grade).

🎯 Who Would Enjoy This School?

This school is an excellent fit for:

• Families seeking a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic education that is academically rigorous and rooted in service and gospel values.

• Students who benefit from a supportive environment that offers in-house academic support for learning differences.

• Parents who want their child exposed to modern STEM and technology programs alongside traditional subjects.

• Students who thrive in a small, welcoming, and high-achieving environment (ranked in the top 20% of Tennessee private schools).

🛑 Who Should Consider Other Options?

This school might not be the best fit for:

• Families seeking a high school (9-12) educational program, as SFA only goes through 8th grade.

• Students who prefer a purely secular or non-religious environment, as Catholic faith and Mass are integrated into the school week.

• Families who prefer a very large school environment or one that is not affiliated with a religious denomination.

📞 Contact Information