Saint Frances Cabrini School, Brooklyn

Saint Frances Cabrini School in Brooklyn, New York is a small Catholic elementary and middle school. The grades go from pre-K through the eighth grade. The school is associated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Established: 1921

School Type: Private, Roman Catholic

Locale: Urban

Headmistress: Ms. Maria Crifasi

Location: 181 Suydam St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11221

Students: approx. 270

Faculty: approx. 20

Library Facility: yes

Athletics: None

Colors: Navy and Light Blue

History

In 1919 Reverend Monsignor Ottavio Silvestre bought the land where the parish St. Joseph Patron and the school now stand. There was nothing there at the time. In 1921 he started to build the church St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church and then the school. By September of that same year students started to attend the school. The school was named after the parish. Everything was completed in 1922. Silvestre had come from Italy and stayed there for 50 years. Many of the items in the church were brought over from Italy. The neighborhood around the school and church was Italian. Neighboring areas were mostly German.

The school was very active for many years. Six hundred students were enrolled. There were two classes for each grade. Classes were needed in the morning and afternoon to deal with the many students. In 1975 the Dioceses of Brooklyn faced a problem, declining enrollment. The dioceses decided to join schools and create a cluster. St. Barbara's and St. Leonard's were two neighboring schools that were closed. Their students were brought over to St. Joseph's. The school was renamed St. Frances Cabrini after the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patron of Immigrants. She was born in Italy and became the first American citizen to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.

Parish

Part of the curriculum is the sacramental program. In the third grade most students receive their first Communion after their first Reconciliation. In the seventh grade most students go through their Confirmation. To go through with their Confirmation most students must complete a certain number of hours of community service. Throughout the year the school has several prayer services and liturgies. For example, every Wednesday of Lent there is a mass in the morning before classes start.

Curriculum/Academics

Students take basic courses of math, science, social studies, and language arts. Religion is also included in the curriculum for all grades. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of eighth grade students graduate. On the New York State tests most students score an eighty-five or higher. The high schools students attend after SFC include Christ the King H.S., Bishop Loughlin Memorial H.S., EBC H.S., St. Joseph's H.S., and many more.

Students

In each class the number of students ranges from 25 to 30. The teacher to student ratio is 1:27. The ethnicity of the student body is not too diverse. The neighborhood is mostly Hispanic so ninety-seven percent (97%) is Hispanic. The rest of the student body is two percent (2%) white and one percent (1%) black. In the seventh and eight grade students begin to monitor the lower grades. They monitor the pre-K to the sixth grade. With this program students gain a sense of responsibility and leadership. Students have an after-school program available to them. The program offers homework help, games, and athletics.

Parent Involvement

Parents are very involved in the school. Many parents have more than one child attending the school. They work with the school to fundraise and help better the school for their children's benefit.

Parent Reviews

(January 2006)"A family atmosphere where teachers. parents, and students work as a team."

(February 2004)"Good leadership, well rounded teachers, a good mixture of faith and education. "- a. addison

(February 2004)"The school is like a big family. Teachers are extremely devoted and assiduous. The way students are tactfully guided and given a moral sense appeals to everyone, especially the family, who are the primary moral educators of the child. Overall Saint Francis Cabrini is the perfect setting. "- Rosa C.

(December 2003)"This School is very good but at times it can be better. The teachers put in all their effort to make it the best. "- d. m.