St. Francis Prep prides itself on its strong academic program. Students who go there know they will receive outstanding preparation for college; they know they will be challenged to achieve the best they can.

A major component of the academic program is the strong core curriculum. Every student at St. Francis Prep takes a rigorous sequence of college preparatory courses. In addition, students have the opportunity to take advanced and specialty courses in every academic area. These include honors classes, Advanced Placement and college credit courses and upper-level electives in art, business, computer science, music and religion.

This aspect is the greatest strength of the curriculum at St. Francis Prep: The school offers a strong traditional academic core combined with the opportunity to pursue areas of special interest at a sophisticated level. Students and parents can find the full course book on the school website: www.sfponline.org. The course book and the other materials on the website give a sense of the challenging and enriching courses to look forward to taking as a student at St. Francis Prep.

St. Francis Prep does not track students. Students may be enrolled in one or even several honors classes. From year to year, there is much movement into and out of the honors classes.

After the completion of freshman year, selection for honors classes is based solely on achievement in classes taken there. Such a system rewards hard work and allows for a great deal of flexibility.

The ideals of a Franciscan education are based on the Four Golden Links: The aim is to help students achieve the best they can in their intellectual, spiritual, physical and social development.
The various curricular and extracurricular programs are designed to offer many opportunities for students to challenge themselves, explore their strengths and nurture their talents. The Prep fields junior varsity and varsity teams in just about every major sport. It also has an extensive intramural program.

The school sponsors about 100 clubs and activities, ranging from Model U.N. and Speech and Debate Team to language and culture clubs.  There is something for everyone at St. Francis Prep, where the goal is for students to graduate from the school as well-rounded individuals ready for college and continued lifelong learning.

The rich tradition of St. Francis Prep extends back over 150 years. That tradition includes, of course, academic excellence. It also includes being part of a caring, active, spiritual community. It means availing oneself of the complexity and diversity of the extensive athletic, intramural and extracurricular programs. It means being challenged, supported, nurtured and guided as students continue to grow and explore their many God-given talents.

Visit the school’s website www.sfponline.org. or call the school at 718-423-8810, ext. 229, for further information.