St. Francis High School is a Microsoft Showcase School for the seventh consecutive year! Selected by Microsoft, Showcase Schools are an elite group that exemplifies the best of teaching and learning in the world today.
As a Showcase School, SFHS works closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education transformation. Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to utilize technology in the classroom, embrace modern learning techniques, and push advancements in education in an ever-changing environment.
“Our 1:1 program with Surface Pros not only prepares our students for college and careers but also more deeply engages them in the classroom,” said Jeff Gerdeman, Director of Information Technology.
We are 1 of 30 schools in the U.S. and 1 of just 3 schools in Illinois to earn this designation. This outstanding accomplishment is attributed to our entire school community, who have invested time, treasure, and effort into maximizing our use of Microsoft solutions.
Every student, teacher, and staff member at SFHS is equipped with a Surface Pro 7+ machine, as well as a type cover, stylus, protective case, and carrying sleeve. The Surface Pro 7+ is now the third generation of Surface Pro that has walked the halls of SFHS, as both the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 5 had been used by students and faculty.
In order to receive the Microsoft Showcase School designation, schools must:
Demonstrate thought leadership in building a schoolwide vision as the starting place for a holistic digital transformation using Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework
Foster a culture of learning and growth mindset as evidenced by their commitment to creating sustainable change in teaching and learning practices through continuous and job-embedded professional development strategies
Drive personalized learning to meet the individual student’s academic, emotional, and social needs and help every student realize their full potential
Demonstrate innovative use of technology, using Microsoft solutions, to drive positive impact and student success with future-ready skills
Provide data-based guidance for education improvements and visibility into the progress toward the digital transformation vision.
SFHS fills the following Showcase School criteria amongst faculty and staff:
100% MEC/Microsoft Learn Active Accounts
92% Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE)
35% 21st Century Learning Design Teacher Completion
7 Active Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIEE) (14% of Educators)
3 Educators (6% of Faculty) MCE Certified - Kim Fermoyle, Tim Martens, Mary McCarthy