By Town Crier Report
 Town Crier file photo St. Francis High School celebrated its 50th anniversary Sunday. |
St. Francis High School in Mountain View hosted its 50th anniversary celebration last weekend, at the conclusion of its 50th school year, with a dinner gala and family barbecue.
The Brothers of the Holy Cross founded St. Francis High School in 1954. The school opened its doors to 45 boys Sept. 12, 1955. Classes were held in Andre Hall, which students called “the Quonset Hut,” and in Grant Hall, named after the first student to enroll, Harry Grant. Annual tuition was $140.
Four brothers ran the school and taught all the classes the first year: Principal Donatus Schmitz, Fisher Iwasko, Francis Robinson and Harold Theilen. The curriculum included religion, English, world history, Latin, Spanish, algebra, general math and science.
The Sisters of the Holy Cross established a similar school for young women, Holy Cross High School. In 1972, Holy Cross and St. Francis merged. St. Francis became a coeducational institution, and Holy Cross closed its doors. Almost every faculty and staff member from Holy Cross transferred to St. Francis. The consolidation, which created a student body of almost 1,200, was a catalyst for rapid and significant change on campus.
Today, St. Francis is a Catholic preparatory high school with more than 1,500 students from approximately 100 elementary and junior high schools, and a staff of 100 faculty members, 49 percent of whom hold advanced degrees. A rich and challenging curriculum prepares students for admission to the most rigorous colleges and universities in the country.
St. Francis was twice named a national school of excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. In 1991 St. Francis became the first school in the San Jose Diocese to receive the honor, and in 1996 became the first school to win the honor twice. The program recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership, rigorous academic curriculum, strong teaching faculty, competitive athletic and activities programs and support of parents and community.
“It’s incredible to look back at the early years of St. Francis and reflect on how far we’ve come,” said academic dean Maggi Knochenhauer. “Our commitment to academic excellence has enriched the lives of thousands of men and women, and continues to give students a solid academic foundation and the ingredients to succeed in college and beyond.”
The alumni concert Sunday featured alumnus Tom Luce of Luce. Luce united with his high school garage band, Osiris, for a reunion performance at the celebration. Since their hard rockin’ days at St. Francis, drummer Kevin Brown, keyboardist Eric Johnson and bass player Tom Gutierrez have remained involved in music. Singer and guitarist Paul Lesinski has played with various bands, including a five-year stint with The Strangers in the ’90s. He is now a member of the Portland, Ore.-based band colorfield as well as The Floydian Slips, a Pink Floyd tribute band.
