Transferring to
St. Francis
Families join us mid-year, over the summer, and at every grade level. There's no deadline that closes the door.
This happens more often than most people assume
Some families are moving to Quincy. Some had a year that didn't go the way they hoped. Some just want something different for their child than what they have now.
We don't ask families to explain themselves, and we won't ask you to.
No, it isn't too late
St. Francis enrolls students year-round, whenever we have space in a grade. There's no deadline that closes the door.
The only real constraint is room. Some grades fill and some have space, and that changes through the year.
Summer is when most transfers happen. Families think it over in June, decide in July, and start in August with everyone else, which is the easiest version of this for a child. But mid-year transfers work too, and we do several most years.
One call tells you where your child's grade stands
We'd rather give you a straight answer in two minutes than have you wonder for a month.
What if my child is behind?
This is usually the first real worry, and it's a fair one. Curriculum doesn't line up perfectly between schools, and a student arriving in February has been learning things in a different order. Here's how we handle it.
- We find out where your child actually isNot by assumption. Teachers assess new students early so support starts from something real rather than from a guess.
- Reading gets specific attentionWe teach reading through structured literacy, which is diagnostic by design. It identifies precisely which skills a student has and which they don't, so a gap gets named instead of noticed.
- Support is already hereLiteracy intervention, academic intervention, Title I, and speech services all operate on site. A student who needs help doesn't wait for a referral to somewhere else.
- Classes are small enough that a teacher noticesA new student who's struggling in October is a conversation, not a semester-end surprise.
Some students arrive ahead of where we are, too, and that's worth planning for. Eligible eighth graders take Early Bird Algebra at Quincy Notre Dame before the school day starts, and teachers adjust for students who need more than the grade level offers.
How a transfer works
Six steps, and the first two don't commit you to anything. The office walks families through every one of them.
You don't have to collect records. Transcripts, immunization records, and IEP documentation come straight from your current school, with your permission.
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Call or visitStart with a tour during a normal school day, or just call and ask whether there's space. Neither commits you to anything.
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We'll tell you about space honestlyIf your child's grade is full, we'll say so rather than string you along, and we'll let you know if that changes.
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Apply through FACTSCreate an account, complete the application, and submit it online. The office will walk you through it if the system gives you trouble. Open the FACTS application (opens in new tab)
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We request the recordsYou don't have to collect transcripts, immunization records, or IEP documentation yourself. With your permission we request them from your current school directly.
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We talk about placementMrs. Radel and the teachers look at where your child is and make sure the classroom is the right one.
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Sort out tuition and aidMid-year tuition is prorated, and depending on availability, financial assistance might still be an option whenever you enroll, not only in the spring.
What it costs to start mid-year
Tuition is prorated when you enroll partway through a year, so you pay for the portion of the year your child attends rather than the whole thing.
Financial assistance isn't limited to spring. If you're transferring in October, you can still apply for aid. Every family here also receives parish support built into the tuition rate, which is why the number families actually pay is lower than most people expect before they ask.
If cost is the thing standing in your way, say so when you call. It's a conversation we have often and there's nothing awkward about it.
Tuition & financial aid →
Mrs. Radel talks with transferring families about space, placement, and cost. If you're relocating and can't visit yet, she can set up a phone or video call.
Transfer questions
Nothing you discuss with us is shared with anyone else. Call the school office.
(217) 222-4077Can we transfer to St. Francis in the middle of the school year?
Yes. St. Francis Solanus School enrolls students year-round whenever there's space in a grade. Mid-year transfers happen most years, and the office can tell you immediately whether your child's grade has room.
Is it too late to enroll for this year?
Almost certainly not. There's no closed application window. The only constraint is space in a particular grade, which changes through the year. Call the office at (217) 222-4077 and we'll tell you where things stand.
What if my child is behind academically?
Teachers assess new students early to find out where they actually are, and literacy intervention, academic intervention, Title I, and speech services are all available on site. Small classes mean a struggling student is noticed quickly rather than at the end of a term.
Will my child have a hard time making friends?
Most don't. We pair new families with a current family at a similar grade level, our buddy program connects students across grades, and there are no closed rosters for activities. More than thirty new students joined us this year, so new arrivals are common here.
Do we have to be Catholic to transfer in?
No. Students of every faith background are welcome and always have been. Your child will attend religion class and Mass with their classmates and will be treated no differently.
Do we have to belong to St. Francis Solanus Parish?
No. Parish families receive a lower tuition rate, but enrollment is open to any family. You don't need to be a parishioner or a Catholic to enroll your child.
How is tuition handled if we start mid-year?
Tuition is prorated for the portion of the year your child attends, and financial assistance is available regardless of when you enroll.
Can my child join sports or music after the season has started?
Often, yes. Talk to us about what your child is interested in and we'll connect you with the right coach or director.
We're moving to Quincy. Where do we start?
Call the school office at (217) 222-4077 or schedule a tour. If you're relocating and can't visit in person yet, we can arrange a phone or video conversation with Mrs. Radel.
Should we tell our current school before we contact you?
That's entirely your call, and plenty of families talk to us first. Nothing you discuss with us is shared with anyone else.
What our families say
We felt the pull
We never thought we would be the family transferring our children to a new school. After being parishioners for a few years, we felt the pull to enroll our children at St Francis school. As soon as we took a tour, our girls' faces lit up and they said they wanted to start the next day.
Brad & Amanda Genenbacher Family
Come see it before you decide anything.
A tour takes about 45 minutes on a normal school day, and it doesn't commit you to a thing. Bring your child if you'd like. Most families do.