About
History
St. Francis School History
St. Francis School was founded in 1985 by a small group of parents and teachers. At that time the school had 50 students and operated in borrowed Sunday School rooms. Classrooms had to be completely dismantled every Friday and put back up on Monday morning.
From 1987 to 1995, the school rented a building, but by the time enrollment reached 144 students, space was inadequate. With no room for growth, it was impossible to achieve any economies of scale. There were no funds to pay teachers an appropriate salary, make repairs to the school building, or replace aging equipment.
At that time, the school ended at fifth grade, and there was no space for a middle school. In the spring of 1995, we were informed that our lease would not be renewed. With generous financial support from parents and friends and backing from a local bank who supported our mission, St. Francis purchased a burned out shell of an office building and renovated it to meet the school’s needs in time to open school in August.
After our most recent renovation, the Laycock Classroom Building is well-equipped to serve all students in 32 classrooms, computer lab, office space, art room, library, kitchen, and cafeteria. St. Francis also has a dedicated space for The Learning Center, private and small-group tutoring resources for students interested in additional academic attention. The elementary playground is at one end of the building.
After our most recent renovation, the Laycock Classroom Building is well-equipped to serve all students in 32 classrooms, computer lab, office space, art room, library, kitchen, and cafeteria. St. Francis also has a dedicated space for The Learning Center, private and small-group tutoring resources for students interested in additional academic attention. The elementary playground is at one end of the building.
In addition, the school owns a 3.4-acre tract across the street from the school that includes a full-size lighted soccer field and track. Through the generosity of many St. Francis family members and friends, the school is proud of the Melanie and Ben Barnes Gymnasium, which also houses the music room, locker rooms, and coaches’ offices.
Barbara Porter occupies a special place in the history and life of St. Francis School. She is both the Founder and former Head of School, and it is her vision of education and attention to a child’s individual developmental needs which has always driven the excellence by which St. Francis has become known.
Barbara is British-born, raised and educated in the north of England near the Yorkshire/Lancashire border. After graduating from the Victoria School of Education at Manchester University, she taught in London for a short time before taking up a teaching position in the United States.
Prior to moving to Austin, Barbara spent time teaching in private schools in Indianapolis, Indiana and Sacramento, California. She also spent three years teaching English as a second language in Zaragoza, Spain. Austin has been her home for over twenty years. During most of this time she has been the Head of School at St. Francis.
Since living in Austin, Barbara has spent a number of years volunteering for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Hospice Austin. She is a graduate of the Leadership Austin class of 2000. Currently Barbara serves on the Board of TAAPS (Texas Association of Accredited Private Schools). She is also a member of both “Town & Gown” and Rotary Club Of Austin. Barbara was appointed to the St. David’s Foundation Community Health Initiatives Board of Trustees and the St. David’s Foundation Community Leadership Board of Trustees.
Having grown up as an ardent soccer, cricket, and tennis fan, Barbara enjoys watching all sports. Living in Lakeway she enjoys outdoor activities, especially those water related. Barbara enjoys traveling, reading, dining out, cooking, visiting with her son, Chris (a St. Francis graduate).
Excellence without exclusivity since 1985. St. Francis School is an independent, interdenominational school providing high-quality education to children from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
