St. Joseph School

There is now a new principal at st joe's and I hope that she can put and end to the poor ratings of this school. This is a school that deserves a new principal and most of all a new school board!
--Submitted by a parent

We have had children at St Joe's for nearly 15 years. Overall we have been more than pleased with school and parish. We are looking forward to the changes in administration. We have made the choice to get involved and we feel that our entire family has reaped benefits from our involvement. We don't always agree with decisions made but by and large we have been able to work within the guidelines set. We have chosen a Catholic education for our children because we want our children to be educated with like minded children, to be allowed and encouraged to talk about God, faith, morals and values. The community is supportive and willing to go the extra mile for their children.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family moverd here over 10 years ago. Upon joining St. Joes, we were pleased with both the school and parish. We came from a catholic school that was much bigger, and had more money. We found that St. Joes was very comparable to our previous school. We are still pleased with St. Joes and believe our children have received an education that is comprable to other area Catholic schools. St. Joes has a great network of parents who are very friendly and welcoming to all. The school does need some faculty changes. But as pointed out to us, there are only so many teachers willing to teach for what a Catholic school can pay! Over all, St. Joes is a good school with even more potential to come!
--Submitted by a parent

We have felt very welcome at St.Joseph. For the most part everyone has been very friendly and kind. As in any social situation you are going to have exceptions.I do feel there are changes that need to be made concerning some of the discipline policies. It would be great if we get some help in the academic programs to help kids who need a little extra help.
--Submitted by a parent

I am sorry to see that not everyone's experience has been as favorable as my own. I have found the parish and school community to be very supportive and inviting, but like anything in life you get what you put into it. We have been very involved from the start and have met remarkable people and gotten to know the faculty and staff. What we have found is a caring, loving, and safe place for our kids to learn academically and learn about our Lord. We haven't always agreed with everything, but the positive experiences overwhelming outweigh the negative and the negative ones we have worked with the staff and parental support boards to help change.
--Submitted by a parent

Score trends do influence curriculum changes such as this year's change in math and are evaluated seriously be the principal, teachers and School Board. Our graduates are consistently accepted into honors classes at top rated high schools. With over 240 families with children at this school, it is impossible to satisfy everyone. It is a wonderful community of caring parents, faculty and staff.
--Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children at St. Joe's and are in our 6th year there. We are happy with the school in general but are looking forward to a new principal next year to make some changes in staff and policy. Yes there are unhappy families but that can be found at any school. My children attend the Fox summer school program and do very well academically with their peers. The school does an excellent job of weaving our Catholic teachings throughout all lessons which is the main reason we want them in a Catholic school. As for cliques among parents, I don't find that here. You have to make an effort to become involved and meet others as well.
--Submitted by a parent

I love St. Joseph's school!!! I send my kid's there so that God is apart of there everyday not just at home or at church on Sundays. I am pleased with the curriculum. I think we are aware and match up with our public counterparts. I have looked into it and in many cases we are right with the rest of schools in the surrounding areas. Where I think St. Joseph needs to focus on is including the parents in on policy and asking them what there opinions are. There is a Home and School meeting every Tues. but the only things that can be discussed is the distribution of the money this organization raises. The real underlying issues are avoided and only add to the negativity surrounding our school. Our school needs to focus on a functional resource room rather that keeping up tech wise (ie; smart boards!!!!)
--Submitted by a parent

Absolutly horrible school. My child only went there one year and I put her back in public school. They are very unwelcoming and my child could never fit in. There is no 'enforced' bully policy at this school. Furthermore, the principle, refuses to release the student MAPP test scores. The reasons why? Our kids have fallen way behind the state average and when they go to any other school, they struggle to catch up. I love the church and the parish. However the principal does not care what your issues are with the school. My daughter is now enjoying school again. While attending St. Josephs, she came home crying ever single day because she got left out. St. Josephs school was the worse mistake I could have ever made.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible.. horrible.. horrible.. The school is very unexcepting of new students. My daughter was miserable there. The principle will not release the MAPP test scores. The kids are Way behind. Many parents have pulled their children out, including me. Do your child a favor, stay far away. My child did happen to have an excellent teacher. But was very unwelcomed by all of the students and even the parents. It's very clickish at this school. The mear mention of this school to my daughter and she goes into tears.
--Submitted by a parent