Students March Into 75th Year at St. Francis Academy
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Located in a pocket of Astoria we like to call ‘Upper Ditmars,’ a Catholic Elementary School is celebrating 75 years this school season. St. Francis of Assisi, located on 21 Avenue at 46th Street, is planning a school year the celebrate the success with Bishop Brennan and the entire parish, touting events throughout the year. In a time when it seems Catholic Schools are finding it more and more difficult to survive, this school seems to be thriving.
With 325 students, its principal, Elizabeth Reilly says it’s about alumni and current families who get involved in their children’s education from early on. “The community knows about us and they tell their neighbors. Our families see the school as a clear choice for their student.
While principal Reilly says that almost half of her students go on the Msgr. McClancy High School in East Elmhurst, there are a smattering of students who attend Molloy, Mary Louis and even Regis.
Gathering in the school parking lot, students marched into the building along a closed street, led by their teachers and accompanied by lively music from Paul Effman Music Education, while parents looked on with admiration. Principal Elizabeth Reilly, now in her third year at St. Francis, said the event was meant to honor the school’s long history while giving students a chance to settle into the new school year.
“We wanted to recreate the first day of school ever by having the students march in through the doors,” Reilly said. “We took a lot of time to prepare the building, got the banners and balloon arch, and cleaned the building so that it really looks brand new, like it did 75 years ago.”
Founded on Feb. 13, 1951, St. Francis of Assisi School opened under the guidance of Pastor Monsignor Joseph Schaeffner, Principal Sr. Mary Diana, and the Sisters of St. Dominic. Within a few years, the school had a full building of students and a wide range of spiritual, academic, and extracurricular programs, including its award-winning Fife and Drums Corps. Over the next 38 years, six Dominican principals led the school, maintaining its reputation for excellence.
In 1989, Mrs. Barbara McArdle became the first lay principal, navigating challenges such as declining enrollment and a shortage of teaching sisters. Under her leadership, new programs including Toddler Time, Preschool, and a UPK program helped boost enrollment. The school also expanded its technology offerings, renovated its library, built a science lab, and enhanced health and safety measures.
Since then, St. Francis has continued to evolve, integrating technology in the classroom, extending early childhood programs, and adding initiatives like the Yale-approved Emotional Literacy Program and small-group instruction. In 2017, the school transitioned to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy, now offering DOE-sponsored PreK and 3K programs and maintaining accreditation from Cognia.
“St. Francis Catholic Academy represents more than just education to me as it has been a cornerstone in my life connecting generations, my sons now walk the same halls where my father did as a child. This shared experience embodies the deep sense of community that makes our neighborhood school not just a place of learning, but a cornerstone of family legacy and local tradition,” said Steven Simicich, Parent Board Member.
With a tuition just under $7,000 a year, parents like Simicich say that the investment is well worth it. “My father went to St Francis, I went there and so does my son. The reason the school succeeds in graduating top students and good kids is that it lives by its mission and motto … Faith, Service and Excellence. They care.”
Reilly said the school continues to thrive because of its focus on quality education and individualized attention. “We are one of the few Catholic schools growing in enrollment,” she said. “We provide quality education, before- and after-school programs, and students leave happy.”
Reilly also highlighted the school’s “buddy day” program, where prospective students spend a day with a current St. Francis student to experience life at the academy firsthand and help them decide if it’s the right fit.
The 75th-anniversary celebration is set to continue throughout the school year, culminating in a social gathering for parishioners and families next June. Special features will include reflections from students about their experiences and a dedicated portion of the school’s Christmas show.
