School Profile

St. Frances Academy is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school that intentionally seeks to serve disenfranchised young people – the segregated, the orphaned, the immigrant, the poor. The school was founded in 1828 by the Oblate Sisters of Providence (OSP), led by Mother Mary Lange, OSP to teach the children of slaves to read The Bible. Now in its 190th year, St. Frances Academy is the oldest, continuously operating, predominantly African-American Catholic High School in the United States. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. With the support of a diverse cross-section of the greater Baltimore community, St. Frances Academy is a thriving little school that constantly defies the odds, perseveres in the face of hardship and, by the grace of God, overcomes any obstacle. Since its inception, St. Frances Academy has addressed the societal forces disrupting the potential of children and their families. Over its long history, the school has built a tradition of improving confidence, providing emotional support, and helping young people dream beyond themselves through academics. St. Frances Academy has embraced struggle, encouraged hope, provided opportunity and serves as an agent of positive change within its inner-city community particularly to the poor and neglected, to assist them to develop and live as respectful, responsible, and just members of God’s human family. In 2002, the school expanded its community outreach with a community health center, additional classrooms for night school, computer labs and community meeting rooms.