Academic Enrichment

The Saint Joseph School Library serves as a vibrant learning hub for the entire school community, offering both print and electronic resources. The primary goals of the library program are to foster a lifelong love of reading and support the curriculum across all grade levels. Students from Preschool through Grade 5 participate in library classes that introduce them to a wide variety of authors, genres, and themes, while building curiosity and critical thinking skills. Each library visit includes time for book circulation, where students learn the responsibility of selecting, caring for, and returning books. Middle School students enjoy flexible access to the library for independent reading and academic research, making it a central space for discovery, learning, and collaboration.

STREAM education at Saint Joseph School offers a dynamic, cross-curricular approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, the Arts, and faith-based values. From Kindergarten through Grade 8, students engage in hands-on, problem-solving activities designed to build critical thinking skills and foster connections between school, the community, and the wider world. Highlights of the STREAM program include engineering design challenges, digital citizenship, robotics, computer coding, and 3D printing, with opportunities to learn from STEM community professionals. STREAM culminates in a community night where students and families explore projects together.

The Saint Joseph School art program encourages all students to discover and express their personal creativity in a supportive and respectful environment. Through a wide variety of materials and techniques, students explore artistic concepts such as the color wheel, elements of art (line, shape, color, texture, etc.), and textile art. Every student creates a personal portfolio of their work, culminating in an end-of-year student art show that celebrates their artistic growth and achievements.

Art in the Upper School is an integral part of the academic curriculum, focusing on art history, aesthetics, production, and appreciation. Students study how art has shaped history and its role in culture, learning to articulate their thoughts on creativity and emotional expression. With a hands-on approach, they create projects using various techniques, applying the elements and principles of art. By the end of the program, students gain the ability to evaluate and appreciate both their own creations and those of others.

The Saint Joseph School music program introduces students to the beauty of music through singing, rhythm, movement, and composition. From unified singing and rhythm instruments in the early grades to two-part singing and pitched instruments such as the keyboard and xylophone in later grades, students explore musical notation, tempo, and dynamics. Our goal is to instill a lifelong love of music and provide a solid foundation for further musical study and personal growth.

The Upper School Physical Education program encourages students to lead active and healthy lifestyles while fostering a sense of sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for others. Through organized sports and games, students learn the importance of fair play, acceptance of differences, and cooperation toward common goals. With twice-weekly classes totaling 110 minutes, students build confidence and physical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Saint Joseph School’s health classes equip students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their personal health and well-being. Through discussions about the relationship between behavior and health, students learn about their responsibility to lead happy, healthy lives. The program emphasizes the importance of open communication between students, teachers, and families, encouraging students to bring health concepts home and fostering a collaborative approach to developing healthy habits.