This fall, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Birmingham will mark seven decades of Christ-centered education and academic excellence.

The school has served the members of St. Francis Xavier Parish and the surrounding community since 1954.

Today, St. Francis Xavier educates scholars in pre-K3 through the 8th grade, with students receiving a well-rounded, integrated education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. The curriculum is designed not only to prepare students for further education and the workforce, but also to be members of the family, community, and Church.

To celebrate the school’s 70th anniversary, the school launched its 2024 Annual Fund Campaign Drive on Oct. 1. The proceeds from the fundraising campaign will help fill the gap between tuition and the cost of educating a child. To contribute to the fund, text “DONATE” to 205.708.3250, visit www.sfxcatholic.com/give, or send a check to 2 Xavier Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213. 

The annual fund drive, however, is not the only way St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is commemorating the past 70 years by looking to the future. 

In August, the school started collecting data for its strategic plan, facilitated by the Diocese of Birmingham’s Catholic Schools Office. The effort is coordinated to clearly define the objectives necessitated by the school’s mission and identify strategies to accomplish those objectives over the next three to five years.

Soon, the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Advisory Board will begin assembling subcommittees in the following areas: mission and Catholic identity, academic excellence, governance and leadership, operational vitality, and marketing and development. 

The school is looking for members of the school community and St. Francis Xavier Parish with relevant experience to participate in the subcommittees. 

If interested in serving on a subcommittee, please contact the school by calling 205.871.1687 or e-mailing office@sfxcatholic.com. 

“It is quite humbling to reflect on the legacy of 70 years of academic excellence and human formation at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School,” said the school’s principal, Mary Paige Griffin. “And, concurrently, it's exciting to consider what God has in store for the future of this special place.”

To view the school’s promotional video, please click here.