Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

St. Frances Cabrini Academy is a Catholic elementary school that educates by nurturing the growth of each child's mind, body, and spirit. We celebrate our diversity while acting together to proclaim the Gospel. We commit ourselves to justice, the value of a quality education for all, and the vibrancy of the city of St. Louis.

Vision Statement

St. Frances Cabrini Academy will be a school of choice for people from all economic levels, ethnic backgrounds, and faith traditions. We will remain financially stable, enrolling students regardless of need and providing the resources necessary to enhance programs that further challenge students to realize their potential. We will act as a stabilizing force and a catalyst for change, growth, and justice in our community. As our students go out into the world, they will be regarded as models of respect, compassion, and confidence.

Programs & Activities

• Spanish Language Classes for All Grade Levels
• Music Classes for All Grade Levels
• Artist-in-Residence Program for All Grade Levels
• English as a Second Language Classes
• English Tutoring Program
• Comprehensive Religious Curriculum
• IBM Computer Lab with Internet Access and 30 computers
• Catholic Youth Council Sports Program
  (Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Softball)
• Cabrini-Sponsored Clubs & Activities
  (Scouts, Chess Club, Children's Choir, Private Music Lessons,Model United Nations, Student Council)
• On-Site YMCA Aftercare

History

St. Frances Cabrini Academy is the result of foresight and faith.

St. Pius V

Well before the Archdiocese of St. Louis began its 2004-05 consolidation of parishes and schools in the South City Deanery, St. Pius V Catholic Church made the decision to take a good, hard look at its own elementary school, which had enjoyed great success for over 90 years.

In 2002, lay leaders of the parish, with support and direction from their pastor, Rev. Michael J. Lydon, studied the demographic, economic, and societal changes in their neighborhoods and St. Louis in general. At least one fact was clear: Overall Catholic school enrollment was decreasing while costs were increasing. The group decided to investigate possible alternatives to the current structure of the parish school and recommended to the parish that St. Pius V's school consolidate with another (nearby and like-minded) Catholic elementary school.

St. Pius V was at that time (and is still today) known for its vibrancy and hospitality, serving both long-standing local residents as well as immigrant and refugee families, especially Vietnamese and African families. If a suitable partnership was to be formed, it would need to involve a school with a similar mission and experience in serving a truly diverse group of families.

Notre Dame Elementary

Years before St. Pius V made this decision, several parishes in the South City area had already consolidated their schools into one: Notre Dame Elementary. This school was formed with the guidance and faithful stewardship of five Catholic parishes: St. Francis de Sales, St. Henry/Immaculate Conception, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Wenceslaus. The leadership of these parishes had decided to consolidate their efforts and resources in one elementary school and cooperate rather than compete.

The Cabrini Consolidation

The leadership of Notre Dame Elementary and St. Pius V's school agreed to the consolidation, and Notre Dame's site was selected for the school. (St. Pius V's former school building now houses Head Start classrooms.) The school at 3022 Oregon Ave. opened its doors in August 2003, as St. Frances Cabrini Academy.

The namesake of the school, Mother Cabrini, was chosen for her work in education and holistic care, with special focus on welcoming the immigrant family.

The school continues Mother Cabrini's tradition of faithful education with excellent, award-winning faculty, a dedicated and highly respected administrator, and a body of volunteers from the community of Cabrini school families, the neighborhood, and the region who preserve and promote the school's current mission and vision for a brighter future. In this way, Cabrini Academy is an anchor in the city, building up the quality of its neighborhoods as it builds up the minds and spirits of its students.

Cabrini Academy is blessed with the support of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and sponsorship, now, from 11 local parishes: St. Wenceslaus, St. Vincent de Paul, Resurrection of Our Lord, St. Pius V, Sts. Peter and Paul, Old Cathedral, St. Joseph Croatian, St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, St. Francis de Sales, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Agatha.

Who Is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini?

Mother St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the namesake of the school, was born in 1850 near Lodi, Italy. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880, which was expressly for charitable and religious work among the very poor. She was sent to America by Pope Leo XIII in 1889 to aid Italian immigrants arriving there. She lived mainly in New York City and Chicago, directing the establishment of schools, hospitals, orphanages, and nurseries. She died in 1917 and was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1938. She was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized (which Pius XII did in 1946). Her principal shrine is the Mother Cabrini High School in New York City, where she is buried. Her feast day is December 22.

Some links to more info on St. Frances Xavier Cabrini:
http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/SAINTS/cabrini.htm
http://www.catholic-forum.com/SAINTS/saintf07.htm