Saint Francis High School (Louisville)

St. Francis High School was founded in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, in 1976, by Tom Pike, a group of parents and board members.

The founders chose a site downtown in order to give their adolescent students easy access to cultural institutions and resources such as the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library and close proximity to the adult world they would soon be joining.

When Holly Wiedemann, a Lexington-based developer who focused on adaptive reuse of historic structures, renovated the building as a mixed-facility incorporating residential, retail, and office space, the school moved the main lobby and offices to the basement level in order to expand classroom space on the 3rd floor.

Following a $6 million fundraising campaign, St. Francis High School and a private partner undertook a major redesign and renovation of the entire building, with the school occupying the northern half and apartments and commercial spaces the southern half.

Undertaken by Potter & Associates Architects and completed in 2003, the award-winning renovation spread school operations from the ground through third floors.

The mission is to prepare students academically and personally for college and life in a rigorous educational environment that challenges them to think independently, respect individuality, and act with integrity.

Athletic teams include soccer, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, tennis, track, and lacrosse.

Academic teams include Quick Recall (a quiz bowl competition), chess, Science Olympiad, Math League and Destination ImagiNation.