About Us
On August 8, 1936, Sister Mary Margharita and Sister Catherine Mary, Sisters of the Holy Names, came to Bend to develop plans for a convent and school. Funded by the parish families, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School opened its doors on September 21, 1936. The original building consisted of four rooms of equal size. There were two classes in a room and a lunchroom in the basement. A wood furnace heated the school.
Over time the school grew to include middle school and kindergarten. The parish and the city of Bend also grew. Today, the school sits on a 17-acre campus on the east side of town and serves 182 students. The school is equipped with one-to-one devices and technology in every classroom. While we still have middle school and kindergarten, we now serve our littlest students in three and four-year Pre-K classrooms.
We continue an 86-year-old culture of excellence by setting an academic standard in education that is hard to match. Parents participate by volunteering to support the desire to keep a faith-based education affordable in today’s economic climate. Our Catholic heritage is celebrated with the help of the Salesian Sisters, weekly Masses, and school-wide events. St. Francis students perform service hours in the spirit of our patron saint and go on to be academic and community leaders in Bend area high schools.
Over time the school grew to include middle school and kindergarten. The parish and the city of Bend also grew. Today, the school sits on a 17-acre campus on the east side of town and serves 182 students. The school is equipped with one-to-one devices and technology in every classroom. While we still have middle school and kindergarten, we now serve our littlest students in three and four-year Pre-K classrooms.
We continue an 86-year-old culture of excellence by setting an academic standard in education that is hard to match. Parents participate by volunteering to support the desire to keep a faith-based education affordable in today’s economic climate. Our Catholic heritage is celebrated with the help of the Salesian Sisters, weekly Masses, and school-wide events. St. Francis students perform service hours in the spirit of our patron saint and go on to be academic and community leaders in Bend area high schools.