Saint Francis Catholic Academy (SFCA) faculty, stakeholders, diocesan leaders and other supporters gathered at the north end of the school on Monday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new multipurpose space on campus.
According to a press release, the 6,500-square-foot Frederick Family Commons building will serve as the home to SFCA’s first-ever cafeteria, performing arts stage and teaching kitchen, as well as three additional restrooms.
Right now, lunch periods at SFCA consist of students eating in the main hallways of the school or outside on the uncovered sidewalk beside the gymnasium, where they’re exposed to the sun, humidity, winter cold and wind, according to SFCA’s website.
Additionally, when it rains, the school says students are forced to sit on the bleachers in the gym to eat their lunch.
The need for a cafeteria space has only increased with the growth of SFCA’s student population.
According to the release, SFCA, founded in 2004, hosted its largest student body ever during the 2025-26 academic year with over 275 students enrolled.
The new commons building is expected to include a dining area big enough to hold 200 students per lunch period, according to the release. This space can also be converted to mass or theatre-style seating as well.
In addition to the dining space, the new building will also include a performance stage for hosting on-campus drama productions, according to the release. This comes with additional components, such as curtains, lighting, dressing rooms, a modern sound system and backstage area.
The teaching kitchen, meanwhile, will be home to the school’s upcoming culinary arts institute. The release states that this will be a “fully student-run kitchen with hands-on instruction.”
“Another addition for our students to learn how to do something for their future careers,” SFCA principal Jason Acosta said of the teaching kitchen while speaking to Mainstreet following Monday’s groundbreaking.
Acosta said the expectation is that the new facility will be completed in June 2027.
“May [2027] if we’re fortunate and hurricane season doesn’t take over,” he added.
According to the release, SFCA has partnered with Brame Heck Architects to design the building and Charles Perry Partners Inc. overseeing construction. SFCA previously said the estimated cost to build the facility is $3 million.
The release said construction of the building has been made possible through SFCA’s Feeding the Future Capital Campaign and the generosity of school donors. SFCA launched the public phase of the capital campaign in October 2025.
Debbie Frederick chairs the capital campaign committee for the building, which will also bear her family’s name. She was present at the groundbreaking ceremony, alongside her parents, William and Mary Ann Frederick.
Debbie Frederick said her parents have supported SFCA since its establishment, including providing scholarship funds annually.
“We’re just honored and blessed to be able to be a part of building and growing this campus,” Debbie Frederick told Mainstreet.
Deacon Scott Conway, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of St. Augustine, was also in attendance for the ceremony and expressed his appreciation to those who have supported the project.
“This project would not be possible without the generosity of so many donors who have embraced the vision of St. Francis and invested in its future,” he said. “Your commitment demonstrates a belief that Catholic education changes lives, strengthens families and builds the church for generations to come.”
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier for the Diocese of St. Augustine led attendees in a blessing of the project and groundbreaking ceremony, which was followed by the ceremonial tossing of the dirt and photo opportunities.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.