St. Francis De Sales School

I am thrilled with the opportunities and growth my child has experienced while at St. Francis de Sales School! The teachers, administration, staff, and parents go above and beyond to provide strong academics, a caring, nurturing social environment, and many extracurricular activities for the students. SFDS fosters the importance of kindness, inclusiveness, and giving back. From ages preschool through 8th Grade, each student's leadership skills are nurtured and encouraged to grow. Many of the service projects and clubs on campus have been student-initiated, and are the result of the faculty and staff encouraging students to bring their ideas to life. Academics: SFDS students ultimately matriculate to some of the best private, parochial, and public high school programs in Southern California. SFDS middle school students have the opportunity to grow their knowledge through activities/teams like Academic Decathlon, Math Olympiad, Mock Trial, and Speech/Debate. The school's wonderful Librarian (Mrs. Swofford) oversees reading clubs and a visiting author program that encourages a lifelong love for reading in even the youngest Bulldog students. Arts: SFDS has thriving creative and performing arts programs. The yearlong drama program culminates with a full-scale theatre production each May. The choir performs at many of the school/parish events throughout the year. The student's artistic skills are on full display at the art show, held during the open house each January.Athletics: SFDS offers athletic opportunities through CYF in sports including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, and more. SFDS students ages 5-14 are also eligible to compete for the parish swim team, currently the defending (14-time) champion of the SFVCSL.But mostly, the vibrant, inclusive community drawn to SFDS truly makes this school special. From the moment you step onto campus, one can sense the genuine care with which parents, teachers, and staff work together to create wonderful lifelong memories for our students. For anyone seeking a school that combines academic excellence with an educational experience that nurtures the whole child, St. Francis de Sales is a stellar choice.

Our two children have attended St. Francis since preschool and absolutely love it. There is such an emphasis on community and fostering a love of learning at a young age. The teachers are all attentive and very skilled educators. The school provides wonderful enrichment such as chess, tennis, and science this is on top of the weekly school curriculum which includes Spanish, art, and music classes. I also have to mention Principal Goethals - who is just the creme de la creme! She goes above and beyond to ensure the students feel safe and nurtured while also cultivating a great atmosphere for learning. We are very grateful for this terrific school and community!

We are so happy with SFDS as a whole. The Teachers and Staff are wonderful, everyone knows each other by name. It is a wonderful community of involved parents who care for their children and one another. The administration and teachers are always pursuing ways to challenge the children academically with new programs and teaching mechanisms. St. Francis de Sales School develops and educates the whole child to be: Active in the Catholic Faith, Academically Prepared, Accepting of Others, Accountable for All Actions, and an Articulate Communicator. St. Francis de Sales sustains learning through character development, emerging technologies, innovation, and differentiated instruction. St. Francis de Sales inspires emotional, academic, and spiritual growth while instilling integrity and global awareness in its graduates. We love our preschool - 8th grade school and see all the benefits it has provided for our child.

Saint Francis de Sales is committed to fostering a sense of community that you don't find in many places around Los Angeles. They organize various events and initiatives that bring together students, parents, and teachers, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom. SFDS encourages students to explore their imaginations, fostering a love for innovation and problem-solving. SFDS students are given the freedom to express themselves and develop their unique talents through art, music, sports, drama, science, and many other ways.

I've enjoyed having my kids in SFDS. The faculty is strong yet fun and the principal is easy to talk to and effective. My kids love all the after-school activities and events and I enjoy the community. I'd recommend this school to anyone.

Great Community. Both of our kids went to SFDS from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. We made wonderful friends during our time there, and enjoy re-connecting with them at various events during the year (Especially the annual Festival!!).

St. Francis has been a great school for my four children. My oldest who is now in her second year of college started at SFDS when she was in kinder. She graduated from high school with maxima cum laude honors and and is now a Neuroscience major at USC. SFDS school has given her the start she needed. The lower grades have the most nurturing teachers and the progression is appropriate. The classes have 35 students in each grade but also have 2 teachers per grade until middle school. The only downside is that the students are with the same 35 kids from kinder - 8th grade. It isn`t necessarily bad but my girls both had a transition with friends beginning in middle school. I think this is common as other parents and I have had this discussion. The upside is they are all like family because they have watched each other grow for years. SFDS has taught my kids to be a well-rounded person offering sports and cheerleading beginning in the 5th grade (unless you swim which begins in kinder). The school attends mass regularly and the students are active in giving back to the community. Each class is in charge of one collection throughout the school year. Students have the opportunity to deliver the goods collected which has been an eye opener and very rewarding. Over the years I have seen academics evolve and the use of smart boards and IPads in all of the classrooms have been beneficial to their high school experience. Parents are required to do service hours (40 per year) which has been a great community builder. The service hours are easy to earn and have brought parents together across the grades. If you are looking for a school with great academics, sports, and community you will find it at Saint Francis de Sales school.

Many great memories from SFDS.

Our child had a very happy experience at St. Francis. He was well prepared academically and accepted at the high school of his choice. There is a lot of parent involvement when it comes to fundraising, events and activities at the school. We are still happy to be involved with the annual school festival! Biggest Little Fair In the Valley!Highly recommend SFDS!