About Us
St. Francis Xavier School offers education from Kindergarten to Grade 7, with an onsite Daycare and Preschool Program. We are located in between Vancouver's Mount Pleasant and False Creek Flats neighbourhoods and cater to students from across the Lower Mainland.
Mission Statement
The School:
• Shares in the mission of the Catholic Church to proclaim and build the Kingdom of God.
• As a faith community, is committed to excellence in Catholicity and in all areas that promote the development of the whole child to his or her full potential.
• Strives to develop Christian leaders, responsible citizens and life-long learners.
• Follows the direction and guidance it receives from the Archbishop of the Vancouver Archdiocese.
Parents, as the first educators of their children, must work together with and give their full support to the staff to provide an environment where children can grow in academics and faith.
Our main objectives are:
• To provide an environment conducive to the development of the student’s entire person
• To educate the students to realize the importance of obedience and to show respect for authority
• To help the students integrate into Canadian society and encourage them to retain and appreciate their native culture
• To increase the students’ desire to learn and to strive for excellence within their reach.
History
St. Francis Xavier School was founded in 1933 by the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Pembroke, Ontario. From a donation, the Grey Sisters purchased a house and land at the corner of Georgia Street and Princess Avenue in Vancouver’s Chinatown. A kindergarten class was opened in one of the rooms of the house with the first class consisting of 30 Kindergarten students. In the following year, the kindergarten class was moved to another building across the street; then in 1938, St. Francis Xavier School was founded, with three grades in each classroom. In 1940, the very first school building, located at the corner of East Georgia Street and Princess Avenue, was built to accommodate 70 students.
Over the years, school enrolment had outgrown the school building, so more than half of the students had to be housed in several rented buildings. The parish and school fundraised for over 20 years to build a new school. Finally, in 2001, the current school building at 428 Great Northern Way was completed.
The new school building was joined by a new church in 2008, as well as a parking garage. In 2011, a playground for students was completed. In the same year, the school added a program that has since played an integral role in fostering deeper connections with our students and families – a Chinese curriculum. Currently, the School has 16 classrooms, a gymnasium, a library, and a multi-purpose room serving 448 students. One of the standout features of our school is the gymnasium’s large stage, which provides an exceptional setting for school productions, performances, and community events—bringing creativity and school spirit to life.
