The Scholarship Endowment Funds
St. Francis School has worked diligently to establish an endowed scholarship fund that provides financial aid to assist families with demonstrated financial need with their tuition payments. The Scholarship Endowment Fund was created in honor of three people instrumental to the founding and growth of St. Francis School. Each of these individuals plays a vital role in supporting the school mission of “excellence without exclusivity.”
The Endowment generates 5% of the principal balance annually that is used for student scholarships. Families apply for scholarships through NAIS.org and eligibility is based on income requirements. Currently, 25% of the student body benefits from scholarships (ranging from $500 - $10,000), totaling over $350,000. In order to generate this amount annually, our Endowment goal is $7,000,000.
Doug Woodward, the father of two former St. Francis students, Gus and Annie Woodward, was the founder and owner of Pervasive Software and was active in the high tech business in Austin for many years. In 1997 he was injured in a motorcycle accident that left him with significant brain damage. Through intensive rehabilitation Doug is now living semi-independently in Dripping Springs, Texas. He has become a talented artist, and his work has been shown in several statewide art exhibitions.
Doug Laycock has provided long and distinguished service to St. Francis School. Doug and his wife, Teresa Sullivan, have two children who attended St. Francis. Doug has served on the St. Francis School Board for more than 20 years, including several years as the President. Doug Laycock was on the faculty at The University of Texas Law School for 25 years, and has joined the faculty at the University of Michigan School of Law. He is generally considered to be one of the nation’s leading authorities on the law of remedies and religious liberty. His support of St. Francis and its mission have been instrumental to the growth and financial stability of the school and to maintaining the school’s commitment to diversity.
Barbara A. Porter, the founding head of St. Francis School, was honored with the addition of her name to the Scholarship Endowment Fund during St. Francis School’s 20th Anniversary in 2006. Barbara Porter’s leadership laid the foundation for the School’s mission and curriculum. In many ways, she has been the heart and soul of St. Francis and is responsible for having established its reputation for excellence.
Trulove Family Dyslexic Student Scholarship - thanks to the Trulove family, this scholarship will benefit students utilizing Learning Center services.
Contributions to the Scholarship Endowment Fund are welcome and deeply appreciated. Please e-mail Stella Valdez [email protected] to learn more and discuss giving levels!
St. Francis is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our tax-exempt number is 74-2369329.
Armstrong Athletic Scholarship Fund
In 2012, an athletic scholarship was created in honor of Coach Dustin Armstrong. Named the “Armstrong Athletic Scholarship,” the award honors Coach Armstrong’s dedication and commitment to St. Francis students. The athletic scholarship fund is supported through the St. Francis athletic fund and supports athletics at St. Francis School, specifically going toward athletic fees for families who otherwise would not be able to afford them.
Participation in sports enriches children’s lives in many ways. Children who play a sport for their middle or high school are more likely to feel a sense of school belonging. Academically, they out-perform their peers who do not play sports, even through college and their early careers. Sports participation also reduces the risk of obesity, which has grown exponentially across generations, and teaches children leadership, cooperation, and self-discipline.
St. Francis has long recognized the value of sports, offering 5th through 8th graders the opportunity to compete as a St. Francis Wolf in several sports.The school does not recruit top athletes from around the city, but instead encourages and supports participation among students of all levels of ability and experience. The sports program reflects Coach Armstrong’s principles that the role of sport is teach children a life-long love of being physically active, as well as the joys and responsibilities that come with being a member of team. Many of Coach Armstrong’s athletes have gone on to shine in high school varsity and collegiate athletics. His influence on our school community and the lives of many of our students has been profound.
Contributions to the Armstrong Athletic Scholarship Fund are welcome and deeply appreciated. To make a donation please email Stella Valdez at [email protected]
To learn more about receiving an Armstrong Athletic Scholarship, please call the school at (512) 454-0848.