The mission of Family and Consumer Sciences education is to prepare students for family life, work life, post-secondary education and related careers by providing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed for:

• Strengthening the well-being of individuals and families across the life span
• Becoming responsible citizens and leaders in family, community, and work settings
• Promoting optimal nutrition and wellness across the life span
• Managing resources to meet the material needs for individual or family life
• Balancing personal, home, family, and work lives
• Using critical and creative thinking skills to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments
• Successful life management, career development, and employment
• Functioning effectively as consumers and providers of goods and services
• Appreciating human worth and accepting responsibility for one's actions and successes in family and work life

The Saint Paul Public Schools has incorporated the National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FACS National Standards) to create local district standards for students completing courses in Family and Consumer Sciences. The standards present a vision for the future and provide a structure for identifying what learners should be able to do. They are based on the knowledge and skills needed for home and individual or family life as well as those needed to succeed in related careers.