The Carlo Acutis School Group was set up in 2021 by agroup of parents, and is an independent Catholic institution located nearby Tours, France.

A DEEP CIVILIZATIONAL CRISIS

The cultural and spiritual crisis poses a significant threat to our European civilization. It is just one of the many crises of our century: political, economic… The educational landscape across Europe is worrying:

• Thirty percent of sixth-grade students experience challenges in mathematics and understanding texts in their mother tongue.
• France has fallen below the OECD average in reading comprehension, as indicated by the 2023 Pisa scores.
• The standard of mathematics in 10th grade is comparable to that of an 8th grade in the sixties.
• Approximately 80% of young individuals give up on some aspirations due to a lack of self-confidence, and over 50% do not trust the education system’s ability to promote such confidence.

AN EFFICIENT EDUCATIONAL REFORM

In 2021, some fifteen families developed and implemented an independent catholic full education initiative encompassing the body, heart, mind and soul, based on:

• Academic excellence achieved through the educational freedom afforded by the French independent school status.
• Promoting effort and hard work
• Rooting in classical culture (Latin, poetry, theater, polyphonic singing, art history) and the teaching of foreign languages
• Transmission of the Catholic faith, joy, and hope
• Welcoming all individuals, regardless of their financial means.

INFRASTRUCTURES INADEQUATE TO NEEDS

• Seventy students could not be admitted for the 2024 academic year.
• Fifty percent of the infrastructure is short-term, made up of temporary structures.
• The dining hall and the computer classroom have already been relocated to an adjacent piece of land.

A HEAVEN-SENT LOCATION

Relocating to the Royal Minimes Convent will result in:

• Travel time from the center of Tours cut by two
• Direct access to motorways and the ring road
• Playground and sports area increased 8 times
• Building surface area increased 3 times
• A historic monument and the first convent founded by Saint Francis of Paola, where he spent the last 18 years of his life and where he is buried
• Captivating surroundings nestled within 4 hectares of vegetable gardens

YET A FINANCIAL CRISIS:

The land has been bought, and planning permission secured

• €700,000 have already been raised for this project
• A dedicated and committed team has been set up

However, we have six months left to complete the next steps:

• Negotiate a €2 million loan
• Identify grants for projects associated with the historic Convent
• Find donors to initiate the construction contracts

To move at the beginning of the 2026 school year, we need €3.7 million!

PHASE 1: 1 MILLION EUROS

PROTECTING THE HISTORIC CONVENT AND PREPARING THE SITE.

Due to a fire fourteen years ago, the building is in big danger. It urgently needs waterproofing, reinforcement of its tuffeau stone walls, and the removal of debris from the incident. It is essential to start the project with site preparation work.

PHASE 2: 2 MILLION EUROS

BUILDING THE NEW STRUCTURE

A 1,000 m² extension will accommodate 14 classrooms and 4 offices. The establishment of a rental office space will ultimately transform Les Minimes into a vibrant community while balancing operational expenses.

PHASE 1: 2,9 MILLION EUROS

RESTORING THE HISTORIC CONVENT

Except for the walls and vaulted rooms on the ground floor, the building requires complete reconstruction.

Its thorough restoration, in line with its historical significance, while bringing it into compliance with standards, will enable it to accommodate the junior high students.

OUR FUNDING NEEDS

A €5.9 MILLION BUDGET TO ACCOMMODATE 450 STUDENTS.

MOVING FROM MODULAR PREMISES TO A HISTORIC BUILDING

Banking on its success, with an annual growth rate of 36% since it was started, our school group needs to relocate in order to expand and address the significant amount of unmet enrollment requests, while sticking to our commitment to maintain class sizes that are conducive to the academic advancement of students.

The establishment at the Royal Minimes convent, located near the city center of Tours, offers a remarkable opportunity to anchor the school group in a historically rich and inspiring location.

Plans and projects approved by the Urban Planning Department and the Chief Architect of France:

A SITE OF REMEMBRANCE AND INSPIRATION AT THE GATES OF TOURS

The Royal Minimes Convent was established in 1489 within the compound of the royal castle of Plessis-lès-Tours at the request of Charles VIII. The king sought to express his gratitude to Saint Francis of Paola, the founding monk of the mendicant Minimes order, who had visited his ailing father, King Louis XI, a few years before.

During the Wars of Religion, the site was pillaged, and the saint’s grave was desecrated in 1562. The convent was restored by Charles IX and subsequently sold as national property following the French Revolution.

…TO EDUCATE COMING GENERATIONS.

Built in the 17th century, the convent serves as a remarkable testimony to the history and spiritual life of Touraine. Convent, orphanage, seminary, hospital…and soon, a school once more!

In 2008, the derelict building was devastated by a fire. The site continues to pose significant risks due to a substantial portion of its roof being absent, requiring immediate work to ensure boxing up. In 2024, the Order of Minimes sold the building to support the Carlo Acutis school group’s educational initiative.

A DISTINGUISHED FOUNDER SAINT

Saint Francis of Paola is the founder of the mendicant order known as the Minims. By 1789, 157 convents of this order had been established in France. Through a life marked by radical evangelical simplicity, he bore witness to Christ through his teachings and pursuit of charity. He performed numerous miracles and was summoned to the bedside of King Louis XI.

The Order of Minims significantly impacted France and its monarchs, particularly by giving distinguished scholars, mathematicians, geographers, botanists, astronomers, and educators; all serving as inspiring examples for our students and teachers.The grave of Saint Francis of Paola is found in the chapel adjacent to the Minims convent. It is an additional site of prayer and graces for our school, that still draws pilgrims from around the world.

• To share your values, invest in the education of future generations!
• Provide our school group with the means necessary to achieve its aspirations: 450 students by 2030.
• Protect and enhance a significant endangered heritage site in Touraine.

To convert the Royal Convent of the Minims into a high-school and build an additional facility for the primary school, you can help us through a financial contribution, in-kind donation, or skills sponsorship. Online: www.couventroyaldesminimes.fr

• By check: made payable to “AE Carlo Acutis,” along with a letter indicating your preference for a tax receipt, and sent to Association Educative Carlo Acutis, 15, rue Christophe Plantin, 37230 Fondettes, France.
• By bank transfer: IBAN – FR76 1027 8372 8700 0203 9460 176
• For any donations or further inquiries regarding legacies, please contact us at relationdonateurs@carloacutis.tours or at +33 6 24 91 79 83.