St. Francis Xavier School was accredited by the State of Alabama on May 19, 1975 under the supervision of Ms. Jeanne Averhart, Principal. St. Francis Xavier is a Catholic Elementary School in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. Our school recognizes all students as children of God with unique potentials. St. Francis Xavier fosters the intergration of religion into all aspects of living and learning.

HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL

St. Francis Xavier School, located in the City of Birmingham on the border between Birmingham and Mountain Brook, opened its doors in September, 1954. The school started as a one-story building housing four grades. The two teachers lived at St. Paul's convent.

Beginning soon after its opening and continuing to today, the school has been expanded, modified and updated. In 1958 the second story was added which made room for a convent area on the lower floor. When the present rectory was finished in 1964, the former rectory -- now called the parish office -- was converted into a convent. This move allowed the school to expand into the former convent area on the ground floor of the school. Upon completion of the present church in 1970, the original worship space became a gym, lunchroom and auditorium for the school.

In 1983 tremendous renovations were completed: new windows, lowered ceilings, and air-conditioning throughout the school and carpeting in most classrooms. The old lunchroom and storage room on the lower level of the Annex were converted in 1984 into two kindergarten rooms and an art room. In 1985, the old church (the upper level of the Annex) was renovated to house two classrooms as well as a lunchroom and new restroom facilities. When the Parish Hall was completed in 1986, it included a new gym and assembly hall. That year the bathrooms in the main school building were renovated and the playground was landscaped. When the blacktop playground and parking lot were repaved in 1987, a safety island was added to make the parking lot safer for the children.

In 1990 the administrative office and faculty work and lounge areas were expanded and renovated. These improvements were also designed to provide a more pleasant and welcoming entry way. Installation of canopies from front door to parking lot and from side door to Annex provide protection in rainy weather.

School fundraisers and parent volunteer labor have always been essential in school expansion and improvements. From 1988 to 1990, the school's primary fundraisers were yearly "Walk-a-thons." The "Walk-a-thons" were conducted with a minimum of cost to the Home and School Association and were successful both in raising large amounts of money and in demonstrating a tremendous sense of community and school spirit. In 1988 the proceeds were used to provide the school an up-to-date-computer room. Window shades, a copier, science lab equipment, computer software, physical education and playground equipment, classroom lockers, recycling trailer and other equipment were purchased with the money raised in 1989 and 1990.

In 1993, we increased the number of hours the guidance counselor is present in our school. In grades K - 6 we incorporated a program for developing self-esteem and decision-making skills. Faculty members also completed the Five-year Interim Review for continuing accreditation.

The final stage of our school plant safety improvement program was completed in 1995-96. This included minor repairs as well as replacing all of the exterior doors which now meet fire and safety codes. Through parent fundraising efforts, additional outdoor playground equipment (parallel bars and balance beam) was added to assist children in developing fine and gross motor skills. Also, through parent fundraising efforts, our library/media center was fully automated in 1995. New computers for student use were placed in the library. Two full-time kindergarten teachers were employed to extend our kindergarten to a full-day program. In 1995, a new communications system was installed to continue our student safety program. Each year we continue to work on and improve a specific area of the curriculum. We have evaluated and adopted new materials in Language Arts and Math.

In 1997, all Catholic schools in the diocese received a directive from Bishop David E. Foley to form a school board. St. Francis Xavier School moved from the Parish Education Committee form of governance to an Interim School Advisory Board in 1997, and 1998, a full School Advisory Board with a constitution and by-laws. A Technology Committee was initiated in 1998 to assist in assessing our needs and updating our computer lab and technology program. In spring of 1999, new computers were purchased, and the school was wired for networking.  Computers and networking has been continually upgraded since 1999 to allow our students to learn with up-to-date equipment.