At a Glance
A Large Catholic Prep School in Queens Serving a Demographically Diverse Community
Families seeking a faith-based college preparatory environment who value a large, diverse peer community and are comfortable with a school operating at higher student-teacher ratios than most Manhattan private schools. Ideal for students who want the structure of Catholic education without sacrificing exposure to a demographically mixed student body.
- One of the largest private high school enrollments in New York City at nearly 2,500 students
- Roman Catholic affiliation with Franciscan traditions and daily religious life
- High diversity for a Catholic school — reflecting Queens' broader population
- Serves as a regional Catholic high school option for families in Queens and Nassau County
- Established institution with decades of history in the Fresh Meadows area
- The student-teacher ratio of approximately 21:1 is higher than typical for private schools, meaning less individualized attention per student
- As a Catholic school, students are expected to participate in religious instruction and service requirements
- The school's large size may feel overwhelming for students who thrive in smaller academic environments
- Commute times can be significant since this draws students from across Queens and into Long Island
- Private tuition applies — exact cost not disclosed, but families should budget accordingly
St. Francis Prep is a Roman Catholic secondary school run by the Franciscan Brothers, placing it within a long tradition of faith-based education on the East Coast. It's one of the larger private high schools in New York City by enrollment.
The student body at St. Francis Prep is notably diverse for a Catholic school — roughly 43% white, 23% Hispanic, 16% Black, and 16% Asian, with a diversity index of 0.72. This reflects the school's location in a Queens neighborhood that's itself richly mixed. The large enrollment means there's a substantial peer group, with multiple class sections and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Fresh Meadows-Utopia in Queens is a residential neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings, located in the eastern part of the borough near the border with Nassau County. The area has a substantial family population and is well-served by local retail along Francis Lewis Boulevard.
The school is located on Francis Lewis Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Queens. Most students commute from across the borough and beyond, as this is a regional Catholic school rather than a neighborhood campus.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews; positive feedback emphasizes challenging academics, great teachers, strong community, diverse opportunities, and excellent college preparation. Some concerns about communication and workload (2-3 hours homework per night). Overall rating 4.3/5 on GreatSchools with 12 reviews.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in Fresh Meadows-Utopia.
- What grades does ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL serve?
- ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL?
- ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL in?
- ST FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL is in Fresh Meadows-Utopia, Queens.
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