Our Mission
“If in addition to instructing their minds we also educate their hearts, we will inspire in them the religious principles of honesty, with the result that they will grow to be good Christians and good citizens.” - Mother Cabrini
Holy Family School is a Roman Catholic elementary school serving students in Nursery through Grade 6. Inspired by faith and rooted in the Gospel message and the teachings of the Catholic Church, Holy Family School is a ministry of Holy Family Parish, under the guidance of the Diocese of Syracuse, dedicated to excellence in Catholic education.
In partnership with each family, neighboring parishes in our pastoral care area, our principal, faculty and staff endeavor to instill in each child a life-long commitment to learning, service to others and trust in God.
Continuing in the Franciscan tradition, Holy Family School provides the foundation for each child to grow spiritually and intellectually, forming well-rounded , faithful citizens to meet and respond to the needs of today’s world.
Mission Statement
Inspired by the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse partner with families, communities, and parishes to nurture academic excellence rooted in Gospel values. We empower students to develop a strong moral conscience informed by the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and to live their faith with compassion, integrity, and respect for all life. Preparing them for a diverse world, we cultivate lifelong learners who are witnesses to Christ’s love through service to others.
About Us
Holy Family School, located in Syracuse, NY, is a fully accredited Catholic elementary school recognized by both the New York State Education Department and the Diocese of Syracuse. In addition, we are proud to be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools, reflecting our commitment to high academic standards and a nurturing, faith-centered environment. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, our mission is to provide a strong foundation of academic excellence, character development, and spiritual growth. We offer programs from Nursery and Pre-K through 6th grade, including full-day Kindergarten, before and after school care, summer day camps, and on-campus support services like special education, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
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Holy Family School fosters a close-knit community grounded in faith, family, and strong academic foundations. Students benefit from state-of-the-art resources such as a computer lab, Chromebooks, a fully automated library, and music and art instruction. We celebrate our faith through daily prayer, Mass, and sacramental preparation, while also building strong family connections through events like concerts, field trips, and community gatherings. With dedicated faculty, a full-time nurse, enrichment opportunities in reading and math, and an active Home & School Association, we strive to provide a supportive and joyful learning experience where every child can thrive.
School Prayers
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
Dear Lord, loving God, be with us today.
Call us to your life and love
guide our steps along the way.
May your Holy Family care for us
and help us recognize your call.
In your presence we will be
And ask your blessings on us all. Amen
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
Pledge of Respect
I am a child of God.
I am a smart, special, valuable person.
I respect myself and I respect others.
My words and actions are kind and honest.
I accept only the best in all I do.
I am PROUD TO BE ME!
Parent Resources
Safe Environment Policy
Holy Family School follows the Safe Environment Policy set by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse to ensure the well-being and protection of all students in our care. This includes access to Safe Environment Training resources for staff, volunteers, and families.
👉 Learn more about Safe Environment Training
School Uniforms
Our school uniforms can be ordered through Lands' End using our Preferred School Code: 900027897. Uniforms help foster a sense of unity and school pride, and we make ordering easy for families.
👉 Order Uniforms & Learn More
Parent/Student Handbook
The 2025–2026 Parent/Student Handbook outlines important information about school policies, academic expectations, and daily operations. We encourage all families to read and reference it throughout the year.
👉 Download the 2025–2026 Handbook
Home & School Association
Our Home & School Association plays a vital role in supporting the school through events and fundraising efforts. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other families and make a positive impact—whether you can help a little or a lot, there’s a place for everyone!
Newsletters
We keep our school community up to date with regular newsletters highlighting student activities, events, and important announcements. Browse current and archived editions to stay connected. Got a story idea? We’d love to hear from you!
Diocesan Belief Statements
We believe that..
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Jesus is the Master Teacher, serving as the role model for all educators, parents, and students
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Parents are the primary educators of their children, and Catholic schools partner with them to pass on our Catholic faith and values
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Teachers in our schools are evangelizers, bringing the Good News of God’s love and salvation to all within our communities
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Catholic schools share in the educational and evangelical mission of the Roman Catholic Church and seek to develop and nurture relationships with parishes
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Schools within the system embrace the common mission of Catholic schools in our diocese; our Catholic Identity is the foundation of a Catholic school education
School Closings
Our school follows the West Genesee School District closing decisions. We will send a text message to our families announcing school closings, delays, and cancellation notices. However, this should not be your sole source of information, as access to our computers may be delayed or disrupted due to weather. We also announce school closings and delays on social media and local TV stations.
Students attending our school often travel several miles, and weather conditions can vary dramatically from location to location. The decision to close or dismiss school early is made with the safety of our students and staff in mind. If school is scheduled to be open and you feel this decision puts your child at risk, you may choose to bring your child to school yourself or keep them home for the day. This will be recorded as an unexcused absence. If your child is unable to attend due to your home district being closed and not providing bus transportation, an excused absence will be recorded. You will still need to send in an excuse with your child as normal whenever they are absent from school.
Field Trips
Field trips are an integral part of the learning process and a privilege afforded to students. A student may be denied participation in a field trip if they fail to meet academic or behavior requirements. Permission forms must be submitted for authorization. Parents reserve the right to refuse to allow their child to participate in a field trip.
Lunch Procedures
Students at Holy Family School have the option to get 1 free lunch each day or to bring their lunch from home. Parents can add money to their child’s lunch account and students can purchase extra meals, milk and snacks from their lunch account. Any lunch account owing money will be billed for payment.
We have 2 lunch periods. Grades K, 1, 2, and 3 attend the first lunch period, and grades 4, 5, and 6 attend the 2nd lunch period. Students in our Nursery and PreK classes eat their lunch in their classrooms family style. Classroom teaching assistants pick up any lunches ordered from the kitchen, and those who bring their lunch can also order milk from the cafeteria.
Transportation
Public school districts must provide transportation for students living within about 15 miles of the school. Parents must request busing from their district by April 1 for the next school year. Bus schedules are released in August, and questions should go to the district’s transportation department.
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Students must follow their district’s bus conduct rules and obey the driver or monitor. Misbehavior can lead to suspension or loss of bus privileges, in which case parents are responsible for transportation.
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If a student is not taking the bus home, they must bring a written, dated note with alternate arrangements. The main office will call to confirm the note.
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