2025 GRATITUDE REPORT
message from the president Welcome to the Xavier Catholic Schools Gratitude Report, a celebration of excellence and the people whose generosity, dedication, and faith made it possible during the 2025–26 school year. This report highlights Xavier’s accomplishments over the past year, including raising nearly $5 million through our Advancement efforts, increasing enrollment for the first time since 2021, securing more than $2.3 million to complete Phase One of A Vision to Go Forth—our Middle School Site Safety Project—and celebrating countless student achievements in academics, fine arts, athletics, and faith formation. These successes would not have been possible without the commitment of our staff, Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Xavier Foundation Board members, pastors, students, parents, alumni, and generous supporters. Since beginning my tenure in June 2025, I have been inspired by the passion and unwavering commitment of the Xavier community. As we celebrate this past year, we also look ahead. Over the next eight months, we will engage in a strategic planning process to build on our strengths and shape Xavier’s future. I invite each of you to join us as we continue pursuing excellence for generations to come. Thank you for your partnership in our mission and for making Xavier Catholic Schools an extraordinary place to learn, grow, and serve. With gratitude,
Terry Tyrrell President
REVENUE
REVENUE
Tuition & Fees
$10,291,585
Parish Subsidy
$2,566,879
Advancement*
$3,470,987
Grants & Contracts
$260,290
Support Organizations
$1,459,096
Other
$13,297
Total Revenue
$18,062,134
* Advancement Revenue includes $1,230,158 raised for the A Vision to Go Forth Projects
EXPENSES 57%
Tuition & Fees
14%
Parish Subsidy
19%
Advancement
1%
Grants & Contracts
8%
Support Organizations
1%
Other
Salaries & Benefits
$12,070,646
Student Support
$1,337,826
Facilities & Maintenance
$1,389,260
Purchased Services
$1,470,159
Others
$243,035
Total Expenses
$16,510,926
Depreciation
$698,900
(Depreciation not included in expenses)
EXPENSES Salaries & Benefits 73%
Student Support 8%
Purchased Services 9%
STUDENTS RECEIVING AID
Facilities & Maintenance 9%
Others 1%
Increased 11% over the past three years
2023–2024
2024–2025
2025–2026
20%
23%
31%
Students With Aid
1401 279
Students With Aid
1364 316
Students With Aid
1322 413
FOUNDATION FUNDS DISTRIBUTED DURING 2025–2026 $563,220 *Includes all funds owned by Xavier and others
by the numbers 2025−2026 *Figures reflect unaudited year-end totals before depreciation for fiscal year 2025-2026 and are subject to standard internal adjustments.
“I am actively involved in athletics, and a second family to me, and I am incred is integral to everything I learned.” — Xavier High School Student | Xavier Student
Honoring a Legacy of Service: The Pride of Xavier Alumni Award
Glenn and Anne’s connection to Xavier spans generations. Beyond being proud alumni, they are parents of Xavier graduates and grandparents to both an alumna and current Hawk students. Their family legacy is woven into the very fabric of our school. For decades, Glenn and Anne have exemplified what it means to love, serve, and support. Whenever Xavier needed a helping hand, a steady leader, or an encouraging voice, they stepped forward: • Leadership: Serving on boards to help guide our community with vision and faith. • Mentorship: Coaching Xavier athletes and modeling sportsmanship, resilience, and character. • Generosity: Providing faithful support as donors to ensure current and future generations of Hawks thrive.
Our mission is rooted in developing compassionate leaders who serve others with humility, love, and a joyful spirit. To honor alumni who embody this mission, we are proud
• Community: Volunteering endless hours for beloved traditions like the Xavier Food Fair. • Faith in Action: Helping launch the “Live Jesus in Our Hearts” group to share God’s love and to foster spiritual growth.
to introduce the Pride of Xavier
Whether leading from the front or serving and giving quietly
Alumni Award.
behind the scenes, Glenn and Anne remind us all what it truly
This new award recognizes
means to lead with faith and love.
individuals whose lifelong dedication,
Please join us in celebrating Glenn ’73 and
selflessness, and faith serve
Anne ’77 Higgins for their extraordinary devotion
as a beacon for our community.
to Xavier Catholic Schools. We extend our heartfelt
We are pleased to announce our inaugural recipients: Glenn ’73 and Anne (Salm ’77) Higgins.
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gratitude for their decades of service and support, and for setting a standard of selfless love for generations of Hawks to come.
several clubs and am maintaining a high GPA. Xavier has become ibly grateful for the opportunity to attend a school where my faith Since Kindergarten
Closing the Gap: The Xavier Fund We are incredibly proud of the education we provide, one that prepares our students to excel in academics, deepen their faith, and commit themselves to a life of service. However, providing this experience requires more than just tuition dollars. The reality of Catholic education is that tuition alone does not cover the full cost of educating a student. In fact, tuition covers just 57% of our system’s operational expenses. We are blessed by the generous, ongoing investment of our local parishes, which contributes another 14%. This leaves a 29% gap that must be bridged through other revenue. This is precisely the financial shortfall that the Xavier Fund addresses through donations of unrestricted dollars. The Xavier Fund is the most important way to ensure the long-term health, vitality, and financial sustainability of our schools. We are profoundly thankful for your past support—last year, our community generously raised just over $850,000! As we kick off this year’s campaign, we have set an ambitious goal of $1 million, and we need your help to reach this milestone. When you contribute to the Xavier Fund, you are investing in the potential of our students and the dedication of our incredible staff. By coming together, you help us keep tuition accessible while delivering the unparalleled Catholic education our children deserve.
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR DONORS To every donor who has supported Xavier Catholic Schools this past year, thank you. Your generosity Scan to view and celebrate our 2025–2026 donors
strengthens our mission and creates opportunities for our students to learn, grow in faith, and become who God is calling them to be.
Honoring Exceptional Dedication: Bob Ellis Named Inaugural Recipient
Heart for the Hawks While boardroom leadership shaped the System’s future, Bob’s hands-on presence reflects his servant heart. As an initial board member of the Xavier Youth Basketball Association (XYBA), he helped launch the program, coaching and staying heavily involved from 2005 to 2012. Since 2012, Bob has faithfully served as the boys’ basketball scorekeeper, supporting generations of student-athletes. His dedication even extends to the gridiron, volunteering on the Xavier football paint crew. Whether navigating complex decisions or sitting courtside, Bob’s presence reminds us all what showing up truly means. A Legacy of Service We also extend our deepest gratitude to Bob’s wife, Cheryl, whose support and shared sacrifice made his extensive service possible. Together, Bob and Cheryl are the proud parents of Xavier alumni, having established a
Our community thrives because
lasting legacy of service that will forever remain
of individuals who choose to lead
a part of our school’s history.
with faith, humility, and generosity. To celebrate those who go above and beyond in service to our mission,
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Thank you, Bob! You set the ultimate benchmark for what it means to lead with a servant’s heart.
we are proud to introduce The St. Francis Xavier Servant Heart Award. This award recognizes volunteers whose selfless commitment embodies the true spirit of Xavier Catholic Schools. It is only fitting that our inaugural recipient is Bob Ellis. Faith-Filled Leadership Bob’s impact spans decades of faithful service. After serving on the Xavier Foundation Board, Finance Committee, and Advancement Committee, Bob stepped forward, leading the Xavier Board of Trustees through a challenging period. As Board Chair, Bob led with unshakeable integrity, quiet intelligence, and deep faith— ensuring Xavier remained resilient and strong.
We are deeply grateful for each individual, family, parish, business, and organization that has invested in our Xavier community. One Xavier student who received tuition assistance shared what that generosity has meant:
“ I feel truly blessed to be in an environment that reflects our values. I am thriving at school and truly enjoy all of my classes. Your generosity ensures I can continue to grow both academically and spiritually within this community. Thank you again for your kindness and for investing in my future.”
Xavier Foundation Dear Friends of Xavier: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Foundation, thank you for your generous support of Xavier through your gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Your commitment to Catholic education continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and families. During the 2025–2026 school year, the Foundation provided nearly $563,220 to support the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System, helping strengthen educational programs and making a Xavier education more accessible for families seeking a faith-based learning environment. The Foundation also received gifts totaling $1.1 Million throughout the year and ended the year with assets of more than $12.3 million. We are deeply grateful for your continued investment in our mission. The Foundation supports the ongoing financial needs of our school system and the students we serve. Our focus remains on strengthening Catholic identity, supporting academic excellence, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty and staff. We are also committed to providing the resources necessary to maintain outstanding educational facilities and programs. As demand for Catholic, Christ-centered education continues to grow, so does our responsibility to meet the needs of current and future generations. Together, we can continue to make Xavier education accessible, support outstanding educators, and build upon the strong foundation that has served our community for generations. Thank you for your generosity, prayers, and belief in the mission of Xavier. We invite you to consider how your support can help shape the future of Catholic education in our community. Faithfully,
Dan Ferris, President, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Foundation Alumnus, Class of 1979, Parent of Nick ’12 (Rebecca ’12), Matt ’14 (Meghan ’14), Drew ’17, Sam ’18 (Rebekah ’18), and Zach ’22
FOUNDATION FINANCIALS
Expenses
Revenue & Support 3/30/26
Program Expenses
$376,944 $56,338
Donations
$1,148,170
Management & General
Change in Value in Assets
$133,666
Fundraising Expense
Total Revenue & Support
$1,281,836
Total Expenses
$0 $433,282
1600 W. Prospect Ave. Appleton, WI 54914 xaviercatholicschools.org 920.735.9380 |
System Administration Terry Tyrrell President Tara Pearce Director of Admissions Lisa Pfaff Director of Advancement Natalie Fuller Director of Learning Daphne Lewis Director of Finance Tina Fairweather Principal, Marquette Street Campus
Looking Ahead
Rebecca Sievers, ’08 Interim Principal, McDonald Campus
Your generous spirit has blessed our students and staff this year, and
Sara Meyer Principal, Xavier Middle School
milestone celebrated in our schools was made possible because of you.
Alena Tapelt, ’96 Interim Principal, Xavier High School
transform our system from great to excellent. To guide this vision, we are
we are truly grateful for your partnership. Each academic and spiritual As we look ahead, we are committed to building on our strengths to undergoing a comprehensive strategic planning process that will chart our path forward and lay the essential foundation for an eventual capital
Board of Directors Most Reverend David Ricken Chair, Diocese of Green Bay Reverend John Girotti, JLC Vice Chair, Diocese of Green Bay
campaign. We invite you to continue this year’s incredible momentum as our mission to educate the whole student in a faith-filled environment grows. Please consider continuing, or even increasing, your commitment today by making a gift to the 2026-2027 Xavier Fund and by keeping our students, staff, and
Dr. Becky Walker Diocese of Green Bay
school system in your prayers. Together, we can
Reverend Chris Raj St. Bernadette Parish
even brighter future.
Deacon David Denby St. Bernard Parish Reverend James Jugenheimer St. Pius X Parish Reverend John Kleinschmidt Sacred Heart Parish Br. Ray Stadmeyer St. Joseph Parish Reverend John Thorsen St. Therese Parish Reverend William Swichtenberg St. Mary Parish Deacon Lincoln Wood St. Thomas More Parish
turn compassion into action and build an