Academics

Academics are the top priority at St. Joseph School. The school promotes a small, nurturing, and safe environment with dedicated teachers committed to offering individualized attention. Small classes, a low student teacher ratio, an advanced math track, and an emphasis on literary and problem solving skills push students towards achievement in and beyond St. Joseph. The results of a St. Joseph education are clear: In 2006 100% of our graduating class scored at or above the average level on the New York State Math and Reading Exams. St. Joseph consistently outperforms the New York Public Schools in math, reading, social studies, and science exams. St. Joseph sends it students to some of the best high schools in New York City including, Stuyvesant, Xavier, Dominican Academy, St. Vincent Ferrer, and Brooklyn Tech. In 2006 the 8th grade class was awarded over $120,000 in scholarships for private high schools in New York City. Academics in preK-4 St. Joseph has separate pre-K and Kindergarten teachers, ensuring smaller classes and individual attention for our youngest student. All of the lower grades have a separate library period and a chance to work with a language technology instructor to improve phonics, speaking, and reading skills. Art, music, and drama classes ensure a creative and fun experience for the lower grades, and after school tutoring is available for help in all areas with a teacher or parent request. St. Joseph has a safe rooftop playground available to all the younger students (weather permitting!) and a staff dedicated to building strong minds and values. Academics in grades 5-8. The upper grades work on a rotating system where teachers come cycle into classes to work in their subject specialty. The older students learn in a literature based curriculum that teaches high school level writing and comprehension. A 6000 book library and study space is always available for research and homework help. For St. Joseph’s older students there is a separate advanced math track, computer classes taught in a fully equipped media center, and a new science lab with the state of the art technology and curriculum materials. Remedial tracking, smaller class, and after school tutoring is available to ensure that all of our students find the proper academic environment to succeed. English as a Second Language St. Joseph is the only Catholic school in the neighborhood to accept students who do not speak English. The school has an exemplary English as a Second Language program headed by an independent ESL instructor and assisted by a language technology teacher who works with younger students in English acquisition. Government sponsored ESL tutoring and remedial tracking are also available in social studies and reading for students who struggle to pick up English in a traditional academic setting. Everyone at St. Joseph works to ensure proficiency and confidence for students confronting a new language. Enrichment Classes Regular classes are available to all students in Religion/Service, Art, Physical Education, and computer research. Drama, music, and phonics are available to students pre-K-4. A list of free after school programs available to all grades is listed here.