Established in 2021 by a collective of parents, promoting parental rights in France, the Carlo Acutis School Group is an independent Catholic institution situated on the outskirts of Tours (500K inhabitants, 125mi SW of Paris).

A PROFOUND CIVILIZATIONAL CRISIS

The cultural and spiritual crisis poses a significant threat to our civilization. It contributes to the myriad crises of our century: political, moral…
In France, the educational landscape is concerning:

• 30% of Grade 6 students experience challenges in mathematics and comprehending French texts.
• France has fallen below the OECD average in reading comprehension, as indicated by the Pisa 2023 ranking.
• The standard of mathematics in Grade 9 is comparable to that of Grade 7 in the 1960s.

A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL REVITALIZATION

In 2021, fifteen families conceptualized and implemented an independent integral education project encompassing the body, heart, intelligence, and soul, founded on:

• A Non Profit Organization
• Academic excellence achieved through the pedagogical freedom afforded by the independant school sector (we are proud that our very first class achieved #1 in the mandatory Regional end-of-cycle examination taken by all middle schools)
• Effort and hard work promotion
• Rooted in classical culture (Latin, poetry, theater, polyphonic singing, art history) and the instruction of foreign languages
• Transmission of the Catholic faith, joy, and hope
• Welcoming all individuals, irrespective of their financial resources.

INFRASTRUCTURES INADEQUATE FOR REQUIREMENTS

• Fifty percent of the infrastructure is currently made of portable classrooms
• Absence of permanent administrative approval on the current location
• Part of classrooms set up on a separate site

A FORTUITOUS LOCATION

Relocating to the Royal Convent of Minims entails:

• A travel duration halved from the center of Tours
• Direct access to motorways and the ring road
• x8 in the playground and recreational area
• x3 on construction surface
• Heritage monument adjacent to the tomb of St. Francis of Paula
• A captivating environment nestled within 10 acres of community vegetable gardens.

BUT A FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

• The land was acquired, and administrative approval was secured.
• A devoted and committed team has been established.
• $3.100,000 has already been secured for this project ($2.3M bank loan + $0.8M donation)

However, we have only six months remaining to raise the remaining donations for $600,000 to finalize phase 1 budget and unlock bank loans.

PHASE 1: $3.7MILLON

PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CONVENT AND CONSTRUCT THE NEW BUILDING

Due to a fire fourteen years ago, the building is in significant jeopardy. It urgently requires waterproofing. Besides, a 11,000 ft² extension will accommodate 14 classrooms and 4 offices. This first building will allow the school group to move in as of the start of the 2027 school year.
85% of the total budget for phase 1 has already been raised: $600,000 in donations remains to be found…

PHASE 2: $3.1 MILLION

RESTORE THE ROYAL CONVENT

Except for the walls and vaulted rooms on the ground floor, the building requires a complete reconstruction.
Its thorough restoration, honoring its historical significance, along with its enhancement to contemporary standards, will enable the school to double its capacity and to provide middle school students with refectory, library, computer and science labs.
This second phase will be divided in 2 parts : a first part to create 5 classrooms for a total budget of $800,000 to handle growing student numbers over the next 2 years and a second part will be used to finalize the works with a budget of $2,300,000 primarly dedicated to shared facilities and heritage masonery work on the listed historic building

OUR FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

A BUDGET OF $6.8 MILLION TO SUPPORT 500 STUDENTS

TRANSITIONING FROM PORTABLE CLASSROOMS TO AN HERITAGE EDIFICE

Building on its success, with an annual growth rate of 36% since its inception, our school group must continue to expand in order to address the significant volume of unmet enrollment requests and achieve a meaningful local impact.

The establishment at the Royal Convent of Minims, situated near the city center of Tours, presents a remarkable opportunity to anchor the school group in a historically rich and inspiring location. This exceptional location will also significantly strengthen and enhance the attractiveness of our educational offering and fuel enrollment growth.

Looking beyond 2030, we are considering the creation of a second site on the Eastern part of the city to further expand our local footprint.

Plans and projects yet approved by the Urban Planning Department

A SITE OF REMEMBRANCE AND INSPIRATION ON THE EDGE OF TOURS

The Royal Convent of Minims was established in 1489 within the gardens of the royal castle of Plessis-lès-Tours at the time when Tours was the capital of the Kingdom of France. King Charles VIII sought to express his gratitude to Saint Francis of Paola, the founding monk of the mendicant order of Minims, who had visited his ailing father, King Louis XI, a
few years prior.

During the Wars of Religion, the site was partially destroyed in 1562. The convent was restored by Charles IX but subsequently sold as national property following the French Revolution.

…EDUCATING COMING GENERATIONS.

Constructed in the 16th century, the convent serves as a remarkable testament to the history and spiritual life of France. Convent, orphanage, seminary, hospital…and soon, a school once more!

In 2008, the building, having been abandoned, was devastated by a fire. The site continues to pose significant risks due to a substantial portion of its roof being absent, necessitating immediate interventions to ensure waterproofing. In 2024, the Order of Minims sold this building to support the educational initiative of the Carlo Acutis School Group.

A DISTINGUISHED FOUNDER SAINT

Saint Francis of Paola is the founder of the mendicant order known as 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 through the cultivation of distinguished scholars, mathematicians, geographers, botanists, astronomers, and educators; all serving as inspiring exemplars for our students and educators.

The tomb of Saint Francis of Paola is situated in the chapel adjacent to the Minims convent. Continually drawing pilgrims from across the globe, it serves as an additional site of prayer and grace for our school.

Alongside this real estate expansion, we have also made strategic commitment to invest in academic innovation especially at the middle school level. In France this represents a significant challenge: few independant middle schools have the capacity to engage in deep pedagogical development, and many remain confined to the national curriculum.

In collaboration with our own network we develop and promote high-impact initiatives, including for instance :

• Shared quaterly assessments to support a rigorous, data-driven culture of academic excellence
• Original teaching resources for theater, polyphonic and gregorian chant
• An enhanced English program integrating the spiritual and historical heritage of major English speaking nations and the study of their great figures
• AI-powered grading automation to sutainably reduce staffing costs
• Structured learning pathways enabling students to understand and master AI…

• For donors based in North America or other European countries, partner foundations established in each juridiction are able to receive contribution on our behalf, transfer the funds to our organization, and issue locally valid tax receipts
• If you are unable to support us directly, you can still help by sharing this presentation with those around you or talk about it, helping us to reach other potential donors
• For further information, please contact us at relationdonateurs@carloacutis.tours or on +33 (0) 624.917.983

Through naming opportunities within the 16th century historic building, major donors may leave lasting legacy by associating their name with French History, ensuring their generosity is permanently commemorated by our students.