Mission Statement

The mission of St. Francis Catholic High School is to provide holistic Catholic education that promotes academic excellence, moral discipline, spiritual growth, and responsible citizenship among students in Liberia.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be a center of excellence in Catholic education, forming young men and women who are intellectually competent, morally upright, and spiritually grounded to serve their communities and the nation.

History of the School

St. Francis Catholic High School was founded on October 4, 1967 by Rev. Fr. Robert Tikpoh as a mission school to meet the academic needs of the people of Tappita. The institution initially began as a primary school, providing basic education for children living around the Catholic mission.

Over time, the school expanded significantly and reached its full academic structure up to Grade 12 in 1988, becoming a complete secondary institution. Under the supervision of the Catholic Church, Sr. Maria served as the first principal of the school.

On January 28, 2003, the institution received full approval from the Ministry of Education of Liberia to operate as a private school. Since then, St. Francis Catholic High School has become a beacon of hope for cultural, intellectual, and religious development in Tappita and Liberia as a whole.

During its most productive years between the 1960s and 1980s, the school maintained an enrollment of 500–600 students with approximately 30–35 teaching and non-teaching staff members. The institution gained recognition as one of the leading schools in Nimba County, producing graduates who later pursued higher education and became professionals contributing to national development.

Impact of the Civil War

Like many institutions in Liberia, St. Francis Catholic High School experienced significant disruptions during the civil war period. Nimba County was severely affected by armed conflict, which forced many residents to flee and left communities and institutions destroyed.

During the 1980s and the early war period, the mission and its institutions were administered by the Salesians of Don Bosco. However, due to escalating insecurity, the Salesians were forced to leave the mission, and by 1998, the institutions were returned to the Catholic Diocese of Gbarnga.

The Diocese entrusted the school to committed lay administrators and teachers who worked tirelessly to sustain the institution during those difficult years. For nearly two decades, the school was managed by a dedicated leadership team headed by Mr. Joseph Y. Tucker (Principal) and Mr. Torker Garton (Assistant Principal), both of blessed memory.

Return of the Salesians of Don Bosco

With the restoration of peace in Liberia, the Salesians of Don Bosco returned to Tappita Mission on December 7, 2017. Through the support and leadership of Bishop Anthony Fallah Borwah of the Diocese of Gbarnga, the mission was formally entrusted once again to the Salesians through an official agreement.

After nearly two years of engagement and consultation, the Salesians assumed full responsibility for the administration of the school.

Currently, Rev. Fr. Albert Dicod Gibson, SDB, serves as the Principal and representative of the Salesians of Don Bosco at St. Francis Catholic High School.

Core Values

St. Francis Catholic High School promotes the following values:

• Faith and Spiritual Growth
• Academic Excellence
• Discipline and Responsibility
• Honesty and Peace
• Service to Community
• Respect for Human Dignity

Community and Alumni Impact

St. Francis Catholic High School takes pride in its strong alumni network, whose members continue to serve Liberia and the international community in various professional fields.

The school remains grateful to its teachers, parents, staff members, school board, and alumni, whose commitment and dedication continue to sustain and strengthen the institution.