St. Francis Xavier School has been educating children along the North Shore for over 100 years.
Our mission is to create a community of faith in action and excellence in academics.
We partner with our parish to provide students with an environment of care and concern, high academic and social expectations, and role models to guide their actions and life choices.
The school's academic and religious curriculum is complemented by iPads, Chromebooks, and SMART Board technology, a Science Lab, an Art studio, an EPIC Studio/Makerspace, and a Library.
Our teachers are among the most highly trained in the area and 75% hold advanced degrees and endorsements.
They are creative, dedicated and committed to the parish. Teachers have high expectations for our students and our size allows us to individualize instruction to a rare degree. Also, because St. Francis is Pre K-8, students of different ages interact often and well.
Through the course of their time at SFX, students will grow from being the youngest in the building to being the oldest, and will understand and embrace changing expectations and responsibilities.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked IL School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 675 students
- Yearly Tuition: $6,385
- Average class size: 20 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
St. Francis Xavier School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
SFX is able to accommodate mild learning differences with the assistance of reading specialists, math enrichment support, learning behavioral specialists and guidance counseling
Year Founded
1910
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Awards
Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2018
Student Body
Total Students
675 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
3%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
72 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
20 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
% on Financial Aid
7%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,000
Admissions Director
Colleen Barrett
Admissions Associate
Jackie Petrozzi
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
12 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
After School ClubsScouting
Student Council
Club or Organization:
Altar ServersBattle of the Books
Chess ClubCoding and Robotics
Crusader AmbassadorsSafety Patrol
Arts and Music Programs:
Irish DanceTheater Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Girls on the Run
School Notes
- For more information about the benefits of an SFX education, please visit and call the school office to schedule a meeting and tour with our principal, Colleen Barrett. The office phone is 847-256-0644.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. Francis Xavier School cost?
St. Francis Xavier School's tuition is approximately $6,385 for private students.
What sports does St. Francis Xavier School offer?
St. Francis Xavier School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is St. Francis Xavier School's ranking?
St. Francis Xavier School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Largest student body and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for St. Francis Xavier School?
The application deadline for St. Francis Xavier School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
5 12/5/2025
Saints JFX has blessed our family with so much. We moved out of the city in 2020, and were in search of a vibrant Catholic school, parish and community. We landed in Wilmette because Saints JFX is exactly that. We send our 5 children to Saints JFX. Here they feel empowered, loved and nurtured. The academics are rigorous. There are so many resources - social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, reading specialists etc.. Here they teach the whole child - mind, body and spirit. The leadership, teachers and staff are smart, supportive and dedicated. They give our kids 100% each and every day. The families here have strong Catholic values, they are welcoming and kind. Saints JFX is a vital part of our lives. It is our spiritual and academic home. We've made friends here who are now family. This school community helps us raise our children. We wouldn't entrust that job to anyone else. We cannot recommend this school enough-
5 11/28/2025
Our family has been incredibly blessed to be part of this wonderful Catholic school community. Though the school is split between two campuses (Early Childhood at St. Joe's and Kindergarten through 8th grade at St. Francis), you can feel the same strong values, joyful spirit, and commitment to high-quality education in both places. The teachers have been wonderful. They are highly qualified and continuously growing through monthly professional development. Their passion and genuine love for the students (and families!) shine through every day. The administration is equally impressive鈥攑resent, engaged, and always smiling. They greet families warmly each morning at drop-off, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and supported. What truly sets the school apart, however, is the community. At the heart of it all are the families who generously give their time, talents, and energy. Volunteering is not just appreciated鈥攊t is vital to the life of the school. Parents play an active role in organizing events and nurturing the vibrant, faith-filled environment that makes this school so special. If you're looking for an instant community, this is where to find it! As someone who is not originally from the area, we did a lot of research when choosing a school for our family, and SJFX has been everything and more we were looking for. We couldn't be happier with our experience and are grateful for the strong Catholic foundation this school is providing for our children. It is truly a place where faith, family, and education come together in the most meaningful way.
5 4/6/2019
I have sent both my daughters (now in 1st and 4th grade) to St. Francis since Kindergarten. Academically, they are continually challenged -- both math and reading curriculum is differentiated from 1st grade on--and they are succeeding at the highest level. The school has extremely strong ACT Aspire results that verify academic performance.Of course, academics are just entry-stakes. To justify private school tuition in an affluent neighborhood like Wilmette, you need more. St. Francis delivers. The close-knit, but warm and welcoming, community is one of the best things about the school. This is a place where parents help each other out and look out for each other's kids. The school is small enough, at 2 sections per grade, that most kids know many kids both older and younger. The school actively looks to create cross-grade relationships with mixed-grade community activities and 8th grade/kindergarten buddy relations.The religious education and community prayer life is a huge support for my children's faith formation, and we find many of the teachers are truly role models for the children. We were fairly new to the community when we joined St. Francis. But we have found that the community is very open to newcomers and all truly are welcome.
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