21st Century education based on timeless Catholic values

When it opens its doors to students in September, Wakefield’s St. Joseph School will embark on its 10th decade of providing high-quality, personalized instruction to children in pre-kindergarten to grade 8. Founded in 1925, the Gould Street school welcomed 56 students in its first two grades in September 1925. A grade was added each year until its first graduating class was realized in 1932. Today, more than 90 years after its founding, the school steadfastly continues its tradition of quality instruction that provides each student with a solid academic foundation. While rich in its tradition as a faith-based learning environment, St. Joseph School has evolved into a premier, private Catholic institution of learning with a curriculum that is based on the National Council of Teachers standards in English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. The school offers a host of learning opportunities for its students, with a curriculum that also includes instruction in Spanish, Art, Music, Library, Physical Education, and cutting edge technology with a state-of-the-art computer lab and on-line learning systems. Saint Joseph School was awarded accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 2000. “Our mission at St. Joseph School is to teach our students to use their minds well to successfully navigate their emerging world,” Dr. Joseph Sullivan, Principal said. “While academics is our primary focus, that doesn’t mean that our students aren’t immersed in extracurricular activities and imaginative activities – before, during and after school.” The principal cited the students’ involvement in the robotics club sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers and Raytheon’s Math Moves U Program, as well as the school’s basketball and cross country teams which compete in the Catholic Middlesex Elementary School Basketball League, and the middle school league/ Munn Invitational, respectively. Students also participate in a buddy program that encourages play and fellowship across grade levels to encourage social growth, sharing and fair play. Its small class sizes, ranging from 10 to 24 students, promote a low-stress environment that provides orderly and structured instruction for each student. As a result, according to Dr. Sullivan, St. Joseph School teachers are able to identify each student’s individual learning style and adapt and accommodate that style into the student’s learning plan. The school’s cross-grade team approach further ensures instructional continuity and attention to detail with regard to the student’s learning style. “St. Joseph School follows the Golden Rule in each classroom which gives our students the tools they need to develop social skills, understand the meaning and value of teamwork and compassion, and grow socially and emotionally in a value-based learning community,” the principal added. “We welcome, and encourage, parents to become actively engaged in their child’s education by partnering with our faculty. Few private, and even fewer public schools, allow this depth of parental participation.” In addition to the elementary school grades, St. Joseph School has pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs that parallel the school’s mission and core values, based on the principles and philosophy of faith formation. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2016-2017 school year. Admission is open to residents of all communities. For information, visit the St. Joseph School website, www.stjosephschoolwakefield.org or call 781-245-2081.