How to
Apply
Four steps, most of them a conversation with a person. We enroll year-round, whenever there's space in a grade.
How to apply
Enrolling at St. Francis is straightforward, and most of it happens in conversation with a person rather than through a form.
We accept students year-round, whenever there's space in a grade. There's no window you can miss. Families of every faith background are welcome, and you don't need to be a parishioner or Catholic to enroll your child.
If you're only beginning to look, start with a visit. Everything else follows from that.
Four steps
Nearly every family who enrolls starts with a visit, and we'd rather you decide after seeing us than from a website.
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Visit the schoolCome during a normal school day and see what it's actually like. About 45 minutes, no obligation, and you can bring your child.
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Check on spaceCall the office and ask about your child's grade. Some grades fill and some have room, and it changes through the year. We'll tell you honestly where things stand.
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Apply online through FACTSCreate a family account, complete the application, and submit it. You can save your progress and come back to it, and you'll be able to track your status once it's in.
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We'll take it from thereWe request records from your child's current school, sort out classroom placement, and walk through tuition and any financial assistance with you.
Applying through FACTS
Applications are handled through FACTS, the same system used across all four Quincy Catholic schools. You'll create an account, verify your email, and then complete the application at your own pace.
Start your application
Create your family account and begin. You can save as you go and finish later.
Log in and track your status
Pick up where you left off, or check where your application stands.
Current families re-enroll through the FACTS Family Portal rather than reapplying.
If you get stuck at any point, call the office at (217) 222-4077 and we'll walk you through it, or finish it with you over the phone.
What you'll need
Four kinds of documents, and the hardest one we collect for you.
Birth certificate
A copy for our records.
Baptismal certificate
For Catholic families only. Not required to enroll.
Immunization and physical records
Required by the State of Illinois. A dental exam and eye exam are also required at certain grade levels.
School records
Transcripts, report cards, and any support or IEP documentation. You don't need to collect these yourself: with your permission we request them directly from your child's current school.
What if a grade is full?
Some grades fill. When that happens we'll tell you plainly rather than leaving you to wonder, and we'll let you know if a spot opens.
If St. Francis doesn't have room, there are three other excellent Quincy Catholic schools, and we'd rather see your child in one of them than not in Catholic education at all. We'll make the introduction ourselves if that would help.
25 students, at most
Quincy Catholic Schools caps a classroom at 25 students. When a grade grows past that, we add a section rather than a chair.
Two kindergarten classrooms
Kindergarten grew past the cap, so it has two sections.
Getting here
You don't have to live nearby to come here, and you don't necessarily have to drive.
- QPS busesQuincy Public Schools provides busing to St. Francis for families on eligible routes. You arrange it directly with the QPS Transportation Department (opens in new tab), and our staff supervise students getting on and off.
- Blessing busA Blessing Health System bus also serves St. Francis, arranged through the Lauetta Eno Child Care Center.
- Extended careBefore and after school care runs from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., which covers most working schedules on either end of the day. Extended care details.
Bus riders meet at the front doors a few minutes before the 3:00 bell. If your child won't be riding on a given day, contact QPS Transportation or Blessing directly. It's worth saving those numbers in your phone.
When can we apply to St. Francis Solanus School?
Any time. We enroll students year-round whenever there's space in a grade, so there's no application deadline you can miss.
Do we have to be Catholic to enroll?
No. Students of every faith background are welcome and always have been. Your child will take religion class and attend Mass with classmates, and will be treated no differently.
Do we have to belong to St. Francis Solanus Parish?
No. Families registered and participating in a sponsoring Quincy Catholic parish receive a lower tuition rate, but enrollment is open to any family.
How do we apply?
Applications are submitted online through FACTS. We'd suggest touring first and calling the office to check space in your child's grade before you start the application.
What documents do we need?
A birth certificate, immunization and physical records, and a baptismal certificate for Catholic families. School records are requested directly from your child's current school with your permission.
What if our child's grade is full?
It happens rarely, but when it does we'll tell you honestly and let you know if a spot opens. In a full grade, returning families and families registered in a sponsoring Quincy Catholic parish are placed first, and remaining spots go in the order applications were received. We'll also gladly introduce you to one of the other three Quincy Catholic schools if that would help.
How big are the classes?
Quincy Catholic Schools caps a classroom at 25 students. When a grade grows past that, we add a section. This year we have two kindergarten classrooms.
Is there busing to St. Francis?
Yes. Quincy Public Schools provides busing on eligible routes, and a Blessing Health System bus also serves the school. Families arrange transportation directly with QPS Transportation or with Blessing.
How much does it cost?
For 2026–2027, K–8 tuition is $4,022 for one child from a family registered and actively participating in a sponsoring Quincy Catholic parish, and $5,733 for families not registered in a sponsoring parish or of another faith. Every family receives parish support, and need-based assistance and full-tuition scholarships are available. See tuition and financial aid.
Can we apply mid-year?
Yes, space permitting. Mid-year transfers happen most years. See our page on transferring to St. Francis.
How do we enroll in preschool?
Preschool has its own process and rates. See our preschool page or call the office.
Who do we talk to?
The school office at (217) 222-4077, or Mrs. Julie Radel, our principal, at jradel@stfrancissolanus.com.
Non-discrimination policy
The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois requires that its schools publish this statement annually.
St. Francis Solanus Catholic School admits students of any race, color, sex, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics, or school-administered programs. Our schools do reserve all their rights as religious entities in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the protections of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act 775 ILCS 35/.
The pastor and school administration ensure that these policies are followed. Concerns are addressed through the Grievance Procedure in the Student & Family Handbook.
What our families say
Faith & Tradition
Our family's love for St. Francis Solanus School is deeply rooted in faith and tradition. With Joe's family having attended for generations, it is incredibly meaningful to now watch our children walk the same halls and grow in the same values-rich, faith-centered environment.
Joe & Alexis Darnell FamilyKnown at every stage
St. Francis Solanus meets the individual academic needs of all our children at every stage of development. Our older kids recognized the "St. Francis Solanus difference" during an initial school visit and were ready to start the next day! The parent-teacher partnership is collaborative and focused on helping students do their best, and the Catholic influence of the priests, deacons, DRE, and staff is focused on fostering a true and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
Aaron & Karen Weiman FamilyTo be Jesus to others
St. Francis provides a quality Catholic experience. They learn not only how to add and subtract but to know Jesus, love Jesus, and to be Jesus to others. We are proud of our choice to have provided a faith-based education for our children and that our children have continued to choose St. Francis for their children. It is important to celebrate the privilege of a Catholic education and we have been blessed to have been supportive of continuing this legacy.
Deacon Dennis and Pat HolbrookAccountability with grace
The culture is one of partnership. Students are truly known by their teachers and staff. There is accountability paired with grace. Leadership is present and engaged.
The Friye Mamdani FamilyEnthusiasm and dedication
The teachers of St. Francis are observing and always seeking ways to improve the abilities of our students. The enthusiasm and dedication from the teachers has helped our children gain confidence and excel in multiple areas.
Brad & Makenzie Holtmeyer FamilyLessons come to life
The teachers at St. Francis bring lessons to life, creating engaging classrooms where students feel excited about learning. What stands out most is their strong training in literacy instruction, ensuring that every student grows as a confident, capable reader and communicator.
John & Lindsey Kelly FamilyAcademic excellence
St. Francis School offers a welcoming and nurturing environment where academic excellence is paired with strong values rooted in the Catholic tradition.
Dr. Samuel & Danielle Healy FamilyInviting family-feel
The school is small which gives it a warm, inviting family-feel. Staff and students alike begin to know everyone within the building. This brings a sense of comfort knowing our children are being well taken care of while growing in academics and in faith.
James & Tera Terwelp FamilyLoved and cared for.
We find comfort in the fact that our girls are loved and cared for from the moment the door opens and they are welcomed into school each morning until the staff wave goodbye at the end of the day. Everyone they encounter throughout the day at St. Francis is Jesus to them - just what a true Catholic school should be!
Start with a visit.
Most families decide after walking through on an ordinary day. About 45 minutes, no obligation, and you're welcome to bring your child.