students tossing graduation caps in the air

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL

St. Francis de Sales High School

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Yourself

Pioneer Announcements and News

Get to Know SFDS

Mission & Values

Excellence Happens on Purpose

St. Francis de Sales is a Catholic high school in Chicago's Southeast side. Even though our school has a history spanning nearly a century, we are young at heart. Our aim is to offer a school that not only provides academic rigor but also provides students with experiences to shape and motivate them to achieve their utmost potential.

Student
Focused

We place our students at the core of our mission

Community

Our school is an extension of our community and it is our responsibility to support those that we love

We provide a diverse curriculum and programs with high academic standards and high expectations to prepare students for future success

Academic
Excellence

God Centered

God is at the center of all that we do

Pioneer Core
Values

At the heart of each Pioneer lies the SFDS Core Values: Community, Academic Excellence, Student Focused, Equity and God Centered. These values are more than mere words; they are the guiding principles that shape every action, decision, and interaction within our community.

Equity

We eliminate barriers of success and ensure equitable opportunities

Bell Schedule - Mass & Clubs

Period	Start Time	End Time
1	7:55 am	8:45 am
Homeroom	8:45 am	8:50 am
Mass/Club	8:55 am	9:45 am
2	9:49 am	10:33 am
3	10:36 am	11:20 am
4 (Freshmen Lunch)	11:23 am	12:07 pm
5 (Sophomore Lunch)	12:10 pm	12:54 pm
6 (Junior/Senior Lunch)	12:57 pm	1:41 pm
7	1:44 pm	2:28 pm
8	2:31 pm	3:15 pm

Bell Schedule - Standard

Class Period	Start Time	End Time
Zero Hour	7:30 am	8:30 am
Period 1	8:45 am	9:35 am
Community	9:39 am	9:56 am
Period 2	10:00 am	10:50 am
Period 3 (Freshmen Lunch)	10:53 am	11:43 am
Period 4 (Sophomore Lunch)	11:46 am	12:36 pm
Period 5 (Jr/Sr Lunch)	12:39 pm	1:29 pm
Period 6	1:32 pm	2:22 pm
Period 7	2:25 pm	3:15 pm

Bell Schedule - Early Release

Period	Start Time	End Time
Zero Hour	7:30 am	8:30 am
Period 1	8:45 am	8:15 am
Community	9:19 am	9:35 am
Period 2	9:39 am	10:09 am
Period 3 (Freshmen Lunch)	10:13 am	10:43 am
Period 4 (Sophomore Lunch)	10:47 am	11:27 am
Period 5 (Jr/Sr Lunch)	11:31 am	12:01 pm
Period 6	12:05 pm	12:35 pm
Period 7	12:39 pm	1:09 pm

3 students and teacher in a biology classroom

100%

Student Graduation Rate

18+

Clubs & Sports Activities

1:10

Student Teacher Ratio

120K+

Scholarships Awarded Annually

SFDS at a Glance

Interest Card

Admissions Process

Take the First Step

Learn More about becoming a

St. Francis De Sales Pioneer Today!

Join us on August 21st for the Pioneer Open and help make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.

**Purchase your foursome today:**
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/StFrancisdeSalesHighSchool/2026.html (link in bio on IG)

**Alumni classes and local businesses:** We would be beyond grateful if you would consider sponsoring a hole during this year's outing. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your class, recognize your business, or honor someone special while investing in the future of St. Francis de Sales. Every dollar raised through the Pioneer Open directly supports the education and experiences of our students.

For sponsorship opportunities or any questions, please contact **[mkatzfey@bigshouldersfund.org](mailto:mkatzfey@bigshouldersfund.org)**.

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At St. Francis de Sales, we've built a community where students from every walk of life are given the space to dream, the support to grow, and the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality.

As we gather on August 21st to enjoy a round of golf, great company, and a few laughs, what we're really doing is creating opportunity for the young people and families of Chicago's Southeast Side.

We'll spend the day chasing birdies. But the bigger goal is helping every student who walks through the doors of St. Francis de Sales chase their dreams.

Every swing, every sponsorship, and every foursome helps ensure that a de Sales education—and the life-changing experiences that come with it—remain within reach for the students who need it most.

We hope you'll join us 💙💛

This week we partnered with Big Shoulders Fund to prep over 4,000 backpacks for students ahead of the upcoming school year! 💪📚

A massive thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to set our community’s youth up for academic success. The energy was unmatched, and we are officially ready for an amazing school year ahead!

Equipping the next generation for academic success. 🎒✨

St. Francis is proud to support students across the city by providing the essential tools and backpacks they need to start the school year with confidence.

#Communitylmpact #EducationMatters
#StudentSuccess #BackToSchool

A fantastic day on the course awaits you! ☀️ Secure your ticket today for our Golf Outing on August 21, 2026. Your ticket includes a full day of camaraderie, friendly competition, and beautiful autumn golf scenery—all while giving back to our community. 🎟️ Purchase tickets in the link in our bio!

Great company, great golf, and an even greater cause! 🏌️‍♂️ Every swing at the SFDS Annual Golf Outing directly supports a student's education. Gather your friends, coworkers, or family and secure your foursome today for the Pioneer Open! Purchase link in bio !

Congratulations to our Chicago Cubs Scholar, Senior Alexavier Camacho, who yesterday was recognized at Wrigley Field prior to the game!

Whether in the classroom, on the mat, or in the community, Alex continues to make all at 10155 Proud! 💙💛 #CubsScholars

Mark your calendars! 📅 The St. Francis de Sales High School Golf Outing will take place on August 21, 2026, at Lost Marsh Golf Club. Hit the greens, enjoy the day, and support our amazing students.

Tickets are available on our website! ⛳️

Today, we honor and celebrate all fathers and father figures in the Pioneer community, including biological dads, grandfathers, stepdads, uncles, big brothers, coaches, teachers, mentors, and all the incredible father figures—including single mothers, who show up with love, guidance, and support.

Your presence and impact shapes young minds, strengthens hearts, and builds futures.

We appreciate you.

We are grateful for you.

And we are wishing you the beautiful and relaxing day you deserve 💙💛.

📸 Happy Friday from 10155! Wishing all in the Pioneer Family a beautiful weekend! 💙💛

An introduction from our new Head Volleyball Coach, alumna Christina Colon '05 !💙💛🏐

Dear St. Francis de Sales Families and Student Athletes,

My name is Christina Colon, and I am incredibly honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Head Volleyball Coach at St. Francis de Sales High School.

As an alumna of St. Francis de Sales, this opportunity means so much to me personally. Returning to the program and school community that helped shape me is truly special, and I am committed to building a volleyball program that our students, families, alumni, and community can all be proud of.

I bring over 20 years of coaching and athlete development experience, including coaching athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional level. My philosophy is centered around developing the whole athlete; not only improving technical volleyball skills, but also building confidence, accountability, leadership, discipline, and mental toughness both on and off the court.

Our goal is to create a competitive, positive, and disciplined culture where student athletes are challenged to grow, work hard, support one another, and represent St. Francis de Sales with pride.

In the upcoming weeks, we will share information regarding open gyms, summer workouts, tryouts, and offseason opportunities. We are excited to begin building something special together.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to meeting all of our athletes and families soon.

Go Pioneers!

Coach Christina Colon

Congratulations to junior, Lily Chaney, who was one of six local high school students to win the 2026 Memorial Day Massacre Commemoration Essay Contest. This annual contest is hosted by the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, and tasks students with analyzing the causes, events, effects and present day parallels of the “Memorial Day Massacre”, which occurred on May 30, 1937 in the East Side Neighborhood. Congrats to Lily and all of this year’s winners! 💙💛

Spend a day as a Pioneer at St. Francis de Sales High School! Join us Wednesday, May 20 for a Shadow Day experience and see what life at De Sales is all about. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/43oF7Fa

Congrats Class of 2026! 💙💛 Many more pics to come!

See what makes St. Francis de Sales High School feel like home! Join us Tuesday, May 19 from 10 AM–12 PM for a campus tour and discover where future Pioneers are forged. #SFDS #ForgedHereReadyAnywhere

At tonight’s Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony, we are proud and beyond excited to have one of our own, 1990 alumnus Mike Melendrez, as this year’s keynote speaker. A proud Pioneer whose journey has been marked by leadership, service, and an enduring commitment to the community that helped shape him, Mike’s story is a powerful reminder of where hard work, purpose, and heart can lead.

——-

Mike Melendrez is a proud 1990 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School. After graduating, he left Chicago’s Southeast Side to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before launching a career in sales that would ultimately lead him to found Red Circle in 2001.

For more than 25 years, Mike has led Red Circle, a Chicago-based executive search firm focused on helping founder-led companies transform bold visions into thriving businesses by building high-functioning, purpose-aligned teams. Through his work, Mike has partnered with startup founders and business leaders to shape organizations from early-stage ideas into lasting companies.

Beyond his professional success, Mike has remained deeply committed to the community that helped shape him. For the past two decades, he has served on the board of St. Francis de Sales while also dedicating significant time to advancing educational opportunity through his work with Big Shoulders Fund.

When he’s not building companies or giving back to the institutions that helped define his path, Mike can be found with his wife and three children in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. A devoted family man, he loves spending time at baseball and softball fields cheering on his kids teams. The sport love doesn’t stop there as you can ofter find he and his family cheering on the Cubs at Wrigley Field, or carrying on his lifelong passion as a dedicated Bears season ticket holder, where Sundays in the fall often mean hosting family and at a tailgate Soldier Field.

There’s something different about the South Side.

A certain toughness. Pride. Heart.

Style.

A drive to keep pushing forward no matter the circumstances.

At St. Francis de Sales, we see that same spirit in our students every single day.

To all current 8th graders and transfer students looking for a place to grow, belong, and build your future for the 2026–2027 school year — your Pioneer journey starts here.

Serving the Southside.

Building Southside Strong students.

For information or to begin the admissions process, contact Mr. Sanchez at ssanche@sfdshs.org #10155PRIDE

Today we celebrate and honor the incredible mothers and mother figures—including grandmas, aunts, big sisters, and educators—who nurture, inspire, and lead with love.

Your strength, faith, and endless dedication shape the hearts and futures of our students and our community. 💙💛

“Mother is a verb, it’s something you do —not just who you are.”

Thank you to the student representatives and ambassadors from @chicagostateuniversity1867 along with OLAS (Organization of Latin American Students), for visiting and connecting with our students yesterday—not to mention the conchas!

It was wonderful to learn more about the many opportunities CSU offers, and moreover to highlight an affordable, local university option for our students and community.

💙💛🎶 Some Friday Music—Wishing all in the Pioneer Family a beautiful weekend !

🎶Down on Ewing, where the stories begin
Blue and gold running deep within
From East Side streets to Hegewisch nights
We carry the torch, we carry the light

We’re Chicago strong, South Side proud
Voices rising, we sing it Loud
Through every hall, through every dream
All pioneers know just what I mean
All pioneers know just what I mean

Oh De Sales, we stand as one
Underneath that rising sun
Blue and gold forever shine
It’s our story, our future, our time
It’s our story our future our time
It’s our story our future our time
New

Down in the Rink where the wheels once rolled
Now it echoes of stories told
Laughter, love, and the past remains
In every step, in every name

We come from blocks that built our name
Different paths but one same flame
From lakefront winds to city lines
This is our home for all time

Oh De Sales, we stand as one
Underneath that rising sun
Blue and gold forever shine
It’s our story our future our time
It’s our story our future our time
It’s our story our future our time

It’s a special Saturday at 10155, as many of our Lady Pioneers are beginning the @figfactorfoundation program! This powerful initiative empowers young women of color to identify and pursue their passions and dreams. After two Saturday sessions (8 AM–5 PM), our students will be paired with mentors who will guide and support them over the next six months, culminating in a graduation ceremony. We are so proud of these young leaders and all that lies ahead for them 💙💛

We are incredibly grateful to the White Foundation for their continued generosity and unwavering support of our students.

A special thank you to Beth White for, once again, creating such a memorable experience for our White Scholars, Charlize Briales and Guadalupe Rodriguez-Garcia—treating them to Hamilton and a wonderful dinner following the show. Opportunities like these leave a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for your continued investment in our students and their futures. ❤️💙💛

Happy ☀️ Wednesday Pioneer fam! Wishing all a beautiful rest of the week! 📽️

“…But it is also true that in the midst of darkness, something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit.”

The great gift of Easter is hope—and in that spirit, we wish the entire Pioneer family an Easter and Spring filled with hope, health, love, and renewal. 💙💛

The ‘90s deserves two videos, right?

Wishing all in the Pioneer family a beautiful weekend! 💙💛 #10155PRIDE

Thank you.

Whether you joined us in person for the 2026 Alumni Raffle, purchased a ticket, volunteered your time, or supported from afar, your generosity reflects exactly what the Pioneer community is all about.

Events like this are about more than the excitement of the raffle—they’re about bringing people together, reconnecting old friends and classes, and collectively continuing to support the mission that makes St. Francis de Sales so special.

And it’s because of Pioneers like you—because of your continued commitment and belief—that we’re able to continue building something special for the next generation of young men and women who walk the halls of 10155.

Simply, your support isn’t just appreciated—it’s felt, and it makes a tangible difference every single day.

And in a chaotic and noisy world that can often feel overwhelming, it’s moments like these that bring us comfort and reassurance, reminding us of the power of community, of family…

Of hope.

With Gratitude and #10155PRIDE

Mr.Sanchez

PS—A shout out and huge thank you my friend Mike Carrol and the whole staff at Crow Bar for being incredible hosts!

WINNING NUMBERS

Grand Prize $11,000
101 Joe Aguilar
2nd. $4,000
238 Margaret Karstetter
3rd $2,000
16 Mary Ann McGovern
4th. $600
113 Charmaine Sullivan
5th $500
98 Guadalupe Álvarez
6th $300
23 Denis Philbin
7th $300
247 Steve and Beth Witczak
8th $300
97 Claudia Mendoza
9th $200
84 Jennifer Prinz
10th $200
236 Stephanie Brown

(Winners will receive a follow-up e-mail regarding facilitating payment).

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