At The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago, a few times each year, preschoolers excitedly line up to pack bags with mac and cheese, fruit cups and canned ravioli as part of the local Blessings in a Backpack program. Each meal they prepare supports kids who face food insecurity over the weekends.
This small act of kindness introduces even the youngest students to a core value here: service to others. It’s just one example of this Catholic school’s four guiding “charisms,” which are embedded into daily life to create thoughtful, capable and caring individuals.
“Service is a charism, or guiding principle, that helps shape children into good people, thinkers and learners,” explains Erin Horne, Director of Education. “We also identify charisms as natural-flowing gifts from God.”
FXW’s charisms, pronounced CARE-isms, are:
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- Faith
- Academics
- Diversity and inclusion
- Service
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“We weave these charisms into daily class interactions and help students see and celebrate each other,” Horne adds. “It’s part of their entire school experience, which gives them confidence navigating differences now and in the future.”
1. Faith charism: strengthening their own, embracing others
Understanding, accepting and celebrating different faiths is an important first step.
“We are a Catholic school welcoming of all religious traditions,” Horne says. “We strive to be inclusive in our religious teachings.”
Part of this is FWX’s unique “dual religion tracks,” starting in first grade. Families are offered two choices for their faith formation: Moonbeams (Catholic) and Shooting Stars (non-Catholic).
“Both learn about kindness, diversity, inclusion and other religions,” Horne says. “We want to honor where each child has been and where they come from.”
For instance, in second grade, Moonbeams prepare for their First Holy Communion but also experience a Seder meal to learn about the Jewish faith traditions.
“They’re learning about our commonalities — in this case, between The Last Supper and the Seder,” says Horne. “There’s this shared sense, regardless of religious tradition, of kindness and peaceful coexistence that each child learns at every stage and grade.”
2. Academics charism: inspiring curiosity and real-world learning
Academics go beyond tests and grades, encouraging students to pursue their own curiosity.
“It’s important for FXW students to think critically, collaborate and apply what they learn,” Horne says. “Here, it’s not just about regurgitating facts. It’s applying them. We want our students to ask themselves, ‘What did I learn from my studies, and how can I use it in the future?’”
Digital portfolios are one way this comes to life. Students reflect on their growth, using a mix of text, images and multimedia. They also reflect on their goals — and how to reach them.
“Learning is a process, and portfolios are a great way to show that process,” says Horne. Students also take responsibility for their learning, preparing them for the next steps in their education. “And it’s successful,” she adds. “94% of students are accepted into their first high school of choice.”
It all stems back to curiosity. “We use that natural curiosity to get students to do the thinking.”
3. Diversity and inclusion charism: welcoming different perspectives
Students learn to see the world through many lenses, starting early with regular “culture shares.” During these events, families share their traditions around Eid, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Day of the Dead, Christmas and more.
“We say to our families, ‘It’s best to learn from you, because this is your identity,’” Horne says. “So that’s why there’s this open-door welcome. Come on in. Share your culture, religious diversity and traditions.”
This year, FXW also launched a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Student Leadership Board. Thirty students from Grades 6-8 lead their peers in fostering activities that promote understanding and respect.
“By the time they’re in middle school, they’re not only used to celebrating differences,” Horne says. “They’re actively creating space for diverse perspectives.”
4. Service charism: building leaders through acts of kindness
Service is the fourth charism, deeply rooted in FXW’s founding in 1989 and inspired by the school’s namesake, Mother Frances Xavier Warde. Born in Ireland, she joined the Catholic congregation of the Sisters of Mercy before migrating to the United States and devoting her life to serving Chicago’s most vulnerable.
Following this legacy, every FXW student participates in community service through the school’s Living the Legacy program.
“We all have a sense of responsibility for one another’s well-being,” says Horne. “This helps our children to honor and celebrate others, regardless of someone’s needs or situations in life.”
Throughout their time at FXW, students serve many populations, including those impacted by food insecurity, veterans and people with special needs. By grades 7 and 8, students commit 10-15 hours of volunteer work each year.
“Service isn’t just about fulfilling a requirement,” Horne says. “It’s about building relationships and giving back to the community in a meaningful way. They learn that the ability to help others is a gift.”
She adds, “It’s something that becomes such a fabric of who they are as students that, after they graduate, they seek that out.”
A foundation for success in school and life
With these four charisms, FXW students gain more than academic skills — they develop as compassionate, resilient thinkers and leaders who navigate the world with confidence and grace, Horne says.
“Students here learn to engage thoughtfully with the world around them,” she explains. “Growing up in an environment that values openness and encourages diverse perspectives shapes who they become in high school and beyond.”
The Frances Xavier Warde School is an independent Catholic school in Chicago that welcomes students of all faiths from preschool through grade 8. To learn more, visit the FXW website or schedule a tour at a time that works best for you.
