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Mission and History
St. Francis School Mission StatementSt. Francis School cultivates joyful, compassionate, confident learners who act with integrity and social responsibility Core ValuesAs a school in the progressive tradition:
Why we are called "St. Francis"Though we are no longer affiliated with the Episcopal Church, the St. Francis School community values its historical beginnings with that Christian denomination, and honors its spiritual heritage. At St. Francis, we strive to maintain a climate where all faith traditions are celebrated, and where all people feel free to express their most deeply held beliefs. We also believe that the historical personage, St. Francis of Assisi, provides a wonderfully appropriate model for the school’s mission. As the patron saint of the environment, an advocate of respect for all living creatures, and an early champion of the equality of women, St. Francis continues to serve this community as a powerful example of enlightened engagement with the world. What is the "progressive" philosophy of education?Progressive education took shape around the turn of the 20th century, led by such thinkers as John Dewey and Francis W. Parker. In reaction to the “assembly-line,” one-size-fits-all curriculum that still dominates education, Dewey and his followers sought an educational experience that produced critical thinkers and not merely dutiful workers. Emphasizing internal motivation, creativity, experiential learning, and the arts, the progressive approach to education continues to prepare young people effectively for the challenges of higher education, civic participation, and the work place. St. Francis School is proud to share in this tradition founded on a profound respect for the individual learner. 
Forty Years of Child-Centered EducationThe beginnings of St. Francis School can be traced back to the establishment of a preschool in 1948 by members of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church. It was not until 1965, however, that the Rev. Stephen R. Davenport, along with supportive parents and friends, opened St. Francis School in Harrods Creek. With the Rev. Frank Q. Cayce serving as headmaster (1965-1975), the goal was to fulfill a community need for an integrated, coeducational elementary and middle school that provided an innovative learning environment. Since the beginning, St. Francis has striven to be an example of a school where people interact responsibly, with honesty and sensitivity. In 1970, the school moved from St. Francis in the Fields Church to its present sixty-four acre site in Goshen, Kentucky, twenty-two miles northeast of downtown Louisville. Built in the innovative "open-classroom" style, the architecture included small amphitheaters in each wing of the school and several raised classrooms called "pods." A second building, completed in 1974, added a gymnasium, science labs, an instrumental music room and an art room for students. In the fall of 1982, a new library, computer center and language laboratory were added to the existing facility. In 1997, the school added a new math/science/art wing, and extensive renovation was done to the main building. During the 1996-97 school year, an additional 27.5 acres was purchased adjacent to the main campus. In 1995, the school returned to its roots, opening St. Francis Preschool on the grounds of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church. The preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In addition, it received a superior rating in the Kentucky STARS program and is recognized as an exemplary program by the Kentucky Department of Education. The present mission statement was approved by the Board of Trustees in February 2007, after a thorough process of review and discussion by members of the school community. St. Francis School is fully accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, and is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Independent Schools, Kentucky Association of Independent Schools, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Elementary Schools Heads Association, National Middle School Association, and the National Association for Gifted Children.
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