St. Francis High School’s decade of digital excellence with Microsoft Windows devices

Nestled in Wheaton, Illinois, St. Francis High School College Preparatory is a recognized leader in the Midwest educational landscape. Guided by its goal to create "a community in which minds and spirits thrive," the school saw early on that the right technology could enhance learning significantly.

When St. Francis began contemplating its digital advancement over a decade ago, it faced multiple interconnected challenges that threatened its competitive position and educational mission. The school operated on a traditional lab-based hardware model that confined technology learning to specific spaces and times, with on-premises software and data storage systems creating bottlenecks in collaboration and accessibility.

These limitations became increasingly apparent when Director of IT Jeff Gerdeman, who has led the technology charge for 20 years, recalls the urgency. "We saw the potential of what a Microsoft-based program could do for both our students and teachers,” he says. "All the peer schools in our area were going 1:1 around the same time. We could not afford to be the last to do so. If we had not launched our Mobile Learning Initiative, enrollment would have suffered with parents electing to send their children elsewhere."

Moreover, as a college preparatory institution with a 100% college attendance rate, St. Francis needed practical technology that would genuinely prepare students for higher education and real-world professional environments. They required tools that would enhance teacher capabilities without overwhelming them, maintain robust security for sensitive student data, and integrate seamlessly across all academic departments.

The power of complete integration

To support its digital transformation, St. Francis chose a fully integrated Microsoft ecosystem built around 2-in-1 Windows 11 laptops and Microsoft 365. This strategic decision replaced fragmented technology with a cohesive platform that supports both teaching and learning.

The implementation of Microsoft 365 delivered a suite of tools that enhanced classroom engagement and collaboration. Microsoft Teams became the digital hub for each class, providing a centralized space for communication, file sharing, and group work. Building on this foundation, OneNote replaced paper notebooks, offering infinite digital pages that could incorporate text, drawings, audio, and video. Additionally, OneDrive eliminated the need for on-premises storage, giving students secure access to their work from virtually any device, anywhere. As a result, today 100% of students, educators, and staff use Teams and OneNote regularly.

"We did not anticipate how much Teams would be able to accomplish for our classes and clubs when we first integrated it,” says Tim Martens, Assistant Director of IT. “With all the features and capabilities of the program, it has become a one-stop shop for us. Having the platform integrate seamlessly with our other Microsoft programs has allowed us to streamline file sharing, programs, and collaboration.”

Strengthening campus security and device reliability with Windows 11

While collaboration tools transformed the classroom experience, security remained paramount. As security becomes ever more critical in educational environments, St. Francis takes a proactive approach by leveraging Windows 11’s advanced built-in protections, combined with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and Microsoft Entra ID, to ensure comprehensive, multi-layered security that safeguards students, staff, and digital resources across the entire campus.

"Device security provided through Microsoft Defender—combined with organizational security provided through the Microsoft Entra admin center—provides the tools to thwart or minimize attacks," Gerdeman explains. "The combination of protective mechanisms as well as risk alerts gives us confidence that Microsoft solutions are helping to safeguard devices, data, and users."

Beyond security benefits, Windows 11’s smart charging has provided tangible benefits for students, significantly extending battery life and minimizing battery wear—essential considerations for devices that need to last through a full day of classes, assignments, and collaborative learning activities. By optimizing charging patterns, it helps ensure that students’ devices remain reliable and ready whenever they need them, reducing downtime and supporting uninterrupted learning.

Measurable impact across every classroom

In the classroom, educators have approached instructional design using Microsoft's tools in innovative ways. According to survey data, educators report significant positive impacts, with 95% believing it helps them stay organized and 95% confirming Microsoft tools give students an academic advantage. Educators are building comprehensive lesson structures in OneNote, allowing them to focus on discussion and interaction rather than content distribution.

The Teams platform has enabled new pedagogical approaches, including flipped classrooms where educators record lessons in Microsoft Stream for evening viewing. Through OneNote's collaboration spaces, shared Teams channels, and co-authored documents in OneDrive, students work together seamlessly whether they're sitting in the same classroom or connecting from home. Student survey responses confirm this impact: when asked about their use of Windows devices, 99% report using it for communicating with educators and 97% for classwork and homework completion.

With fewer urgent issues, the Help Desk now focuses on routine maintenance, allowing IT staff to focus on innovation and proactive support.

A roadmap for digital success

After nine consecutive years as a Microsoft Showcase School, St. Francis's advice for institutions considering similar advances is to engage all stakeholders from the beginning.

"It was critical to have representation from both administration and faculty in addition to IT," stresses Gerdeman. "Furthermore, it was equally important to have representation from each of our nine academic departments."

In addition to broad representation, the school strongly advocates for pilot programs that allow for iterative refinement. Rather than attempting a massive overnight change, St. Francis ran multiple pilot variations with both teachers and students, modifying their approach based on feedback.

"Don't be afraid to admit when you are going down the wrong path," Martens advises. "Better to correct mistakes sooner than later to ensure success."

St. Francis has established a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) Leadership Team consisting of educator-leaders who drive continuous innovation. By developing internal expertise and creating peer mentorship opportunities, the school ensures that technology adoption is driven by educators who understand both the tools and the pedagogical context. Regular training sessions, both large group and one-on-one, maintain momentum and address the varying comfort levels of different educators.

Educators say that Microsoft technology has truly changed the way they teach and the way students learn. Jessica Nicolella, French and Digital Literacy Teacher (MIEE) says, "Both teachers and students value how easy it is to use and how seamlessly everything works together. It keeps us organized, connected, and focused on learning. With one reliable platform, Microsoft gives us the ability to collaborate, research, and connect beyond our school community."

Building on a strong foundation

Looking ahead, St. Francis has ambitious plans that build on their strong Microsoft foundation while embracing emerging technologies, particularly AI.

The school has already begun a major push into AI integration, where every educator will be required to incorporate at least one AI-enhanced project this year, with comprehensive evaluation of how AI tools change research methodologies, citation practices, and final work products. The freshman Digital Literacy course has developed an entire AI unit covering prompting techniques, output assessment, source credibility, and ethical considerations.

Upgraded classroom technology will support these innovations. Twelve classrooms are undergoing renovation to provide teachers with additional display options and collaboration capabilities that complement their Windows devices. Meanwhile, the MIEE Leadership Team continues to expand, with plans to spearhead training initiatives in Microsoft Learning Accelerators—an integrated collection of tools designed to enhance learning outcomes, including Immersive Reader, Reflect, Insights, and Speaker Coach.

St. Francis plans to expand its role as a technology leader in the broader educational community by hosting open houses and collaborating with peer institutions. Having become a recognized EdTech leader in the greater Chicago area, the school is now able to demonstrate firsthand how a healthy digital ecosystem can boost productivity and improve student outcomes. As Tim Martens notes, several area schools have already followed St. Francis’s lead in adopting Microsoft-based solutions after witnessing their success.

By choosing comprehensive integration over haphazard adoption, prioritizing stakeholder engagement over top-down mandates, and viewing technology as an enabler of pedagogical excellence rather than an end in itself, St. Francis stands as proof that thoughtful technology integration can indeed prepare students not just for tests, but for life.

“In today's academic landscape, preparing high school students for the demands of college research is not optional—it is essential,” says St. Francis School Counselor Adam Lindley. “One of the most effective tools to bridge this gap is the Microsoft Surface Pro. It equips them not just to complete assignments, but to develop the critical research and problem-solving skills that the colleges expect. Investing in this technology is not simply about providing students with a device—it is about preparing them to thrive in the next stage of their academic journey.”

Indeed, Lindley’s experience with Surface Pro highlights the broader value that Microsoft Windows devices bring to educational settings—offering students the adaptability and advanced features that give students a distinct advantage as they transition from high school to higher education. “By placing these tools in the hands of students, we give them the confidence, skills, and resources to succeed in college and beyond,” Lindley adds.

Ultimately, that confidence shows up in the data—and in those annual visits from seniors asking about the specifications for the Microsoft tools they’ve been using. When students want to carry their high school technology into college, transformation has truly succeeded. With Microsoft, St. Francis continues to prepare students not just for college—but for the connected world beyond.

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