Starting in September 2025, St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School will move its early dismissal day to Thursdays. This change ensures that all schools within Edmonton Catholic Schools follow a consistent schedule for instructional time, staff collaboration, and professional development.

For over 15 years, all schools in the Division have followed a Thursday early dismissal schedule, with St. Francis Xavier and one alternative program as the only exceptions. This update aligns our school with Administrative Procedure 130 – School Year Calendar, which sets scheduling requirements for all Division schools.

We understand that changes to school schedules may require adjustments for some families. We are committed to working with our school community to support a smooth transition.

For more information, please read the FAQ below. If you have additional questions, please contact our school administration at  780-489-2571 or email StFrancisXavier@ecsd.net.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is St. Francis Xavier moving early dismissal from Friday to Thursday?

This change aligns St. Francis Xavier with all other Edmonton Catholic Schools, which follow a Thursday early dismissal schedule. For over 15 years, St. FX and one alternative program were the only exceptions. Moving to a Division-wide schedule ensures consistent instructional time, staff collaboration, and professional development in accordance with Administrative Procedure 130 – School Year Calendar.

Why does Edmonton Catholic Schools have early dismissals?

Early dismissals provide dedicated time for teacher collaboration and professional development, directly benefiting students. Teachers use this time to plan lessons, review student progress, and participate in training to improve instruction. It also allows educators to collaborate across schools, ensuring consistency in curriculum and student support. By aligning early dismissals across all schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools ensures equitable access to professional learning that enhances classroom teaching and benefits all students.

Why does the Division set school schedules?

Edmonton Catholic Schools sets schedules to ensure consistency, equity, and alignment across all schools. A standardized schedule allows for coordinated professional development, system-wide planning, and efficient use of resources. It also ensures that all students receive the required instructional time and that staff have equal opportunities for collaboration and training. Division-wide scheduling supports long-term planning for families, staff, and school operations.

My child often travels for sports or extracurricular events on Friday afternoons. Won’t they miss more school?

Students may miss class for a variety of reasons, including travel for competitions, tournaments, and other commitments. Our staff are experienced in helping students manage their academic responsibilities, and they will continue to provide support to ensure students can keep up with coursework and assignments. While early dismissal on Fridays previously reduced missed instructional time, teachers will work with students to help them stay on track. Other high schools with similar programs already operate with Thursday early dismissals, and adjustments will be made as needed.

How does this change affect student activities, including sports and academies?

We recognize that this adjustment may impact students who participate in extracurricular activities. We will work with program leaders and staff to address scheduling needs and explore solutions where possible. Other high schools with academies, such as Archbishop O’Leary and Louis St. Laurent, have successfully operated with a Thursday early dismissal schedule.

This schedule works well for our family. Why is it changing?

We understand that families have built routines around the current schedule, and adjusting may take time. This change ensures consistency across all Edmonton Catholic Schools and follows Administrative Procedure 130 – School Year Calendar. Aligning schedules across the Division allows for equitable access to instructional time, teacher collaboration, and professional development. We recognize that this may be an adjustment and are committed to supporting families through this transition. If you have specific concerns, we encourage you to reach out to our school administration.

Who do I contact for more information?

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 780-489-2571 or email StFrancisXavier@ecsd.net. We are available to discuss any specific circumstances and support families through this transition.