School Profile

HF is a Catholic community committed since 1953 to developing students to their greatest potential.  We educate our children in an environment of academic excellence and empower them to live according to the values of their Catholic faith.

At Holy Family, it is our responsibility and privilege to develop confident students and to prepare them for the academic challenges ahead. We believe each student has a unique combination of talents. Our job is to develop and grow them in a comprehensive, well-rounded Catholic school environment. This is all done in a welcoming, friendly community with a diverse student body.

"We chose Holy Family because of the welcoming tight-knit community, incredible teachers and individualed learning opportunities."
- Current HF Parent of Two Students

"We chose Holy Family School because of how accepting and kind the staff and school families are, for the size of the school, the welcoming nature of the building, and because of services avilable to students that need assistence."

Johnson Family - Current HF Family

SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS

201 families
115 live in Whitefish Bay (57%)
28 in Glendale (14%)
25 in Milwaukee (12%)
22 in Fox Point (11%)
4 in Bayside (2%)
2 in Shorewood  (<1%)
2 in Brown Deer (<1%)
2 in River Hills (<1%)
1 in Menomonee Falls (<1%)

Holy Family has implemented Standards Based Grading (SBG) from kindergarten through grade 8.  Traditional grading scales, which are based on points and percentages, only serve to rank and order students.  This system of grading emphasizes the outcome (grades/GPA) rather than the learning experience.  SBG does not rank students but rather focuses on growth.  Students are assessed on clearly defines learning goals that are aligned with state standards.  There are a number of advantages to using proficiency based grading rather than letter grades.  The criteria behind earning a particular letter grade can vary greatly among districts, schools, and even teachers within a school, leaving students and parents confused.  In SBG, the performance indicators clearly communicate the level of learning students have demonstrated on the standards during the grading period.

Holy Family School requires students wear uniforms daily in K4 - 8th grade.  K3 students are not required to wear a uniform.  Uniforms will be worn throughout the entire school year.  Clean uniforms in good condition as well as proper hygiene are expected.

Basic Uniform Pieces

• navy pants
• red, white or power blue polo shirts
• uniform plaid jumper or skirt   

Cathlic Schools
Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA)
Dominican High School
Marquette University High School
Pius XI High School

Public Schools
Nicolet High School
Shorewood High School
Whitefish Bay High School

“Holy Family’s focus on preparing the students holistically in academics, fine arts, leadership and service, provides its students with a rich foundation for growth and success in the challenging years of high school. Holy Family’s mission serves its students well.”

Dr. Heather Moran Mansfield, Academic Dean – Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Holy Family Parish                School               Family Handbook

Our parish and school journey actually began 55 years ago when Archbishop Kiley purchased swamp land on the corner of Hampton Road and Marlborough Drive in Whitefish Bay.  Five years later, in 1949, Fr. George Wallet was named the first pastor or Holy Family Parish, however, masses needed to be celebrated in the Whitefish Bay Auditorium and old chapel at St. Monica Parish until the school building was completed here in 1952.   Masses were then moved to the school gymnasium, where the altar was located on what is now the school stage, home to Spring Concerts and the annual Middle School Musical.

In September 1953, Holy Family Parish School opened its doors to students in grades 1-6, adding a grade each year to eventually teach students in grades 1-8. The Sinsinawa Dominicans staffed the school.  Sister Marentia was the first principal of the school.  The sisters lived in the south end of the second floor of the school, now our Middle School, until 1960 when the convent was completed, just south of the school building.

In 1969, the new church was opened, and in 1973, Fr. Robert McCormick was named pastor of the church.  The school flourished and in 1982, kindergarten classes were added, making HFPS at Kindergarten through 8th grade school. From 1973 through 1993, under the leadership of Sr. Mary Frances Reufer, the school continued to build upon its legacy of excellence.