About St. Joseph School

PHILOSOPHY

St. Joseph School of Auburn, established in 1943, is an educational ministry of St. Joseph and St. Teresa Parishes in Auburn. We acknowledge that the task of educating children is primarily the responsibility of parents. Therefore, in partnership with parents and in support of the mission of the Diocese of Sacramento and our parish communities, we strive to provide a Catholic environment, which promotes the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of each child. Through the experience of prayer and liturgy, and observance of multi-cultural religious experiences, students share in the work of building a Catholic Faith Community within the school environment. Likewise, they are given many opportunities to be creative and global thinkers, to develop moral values, and to grow in leadership roles in a safe and nurturing environment.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of St. Joseph School is to provide for the education of the whole child within the Catholic Christian tradition.  Our ministry is to provide a well-rounded curriculum in a caring, nurturing environment, which enables students to grow in love of God and neighbor.  As reflected in our philosophy and school-wide goals, we strive to empower our students to live a Christian life, attain academic excellence and become responsible members of a global society and their Church as expressed through the traditions, teachings, philosophy and practices of the Roman Catholic Faith.

FIVE YEAR  STRATEGIC PLAN - May 2009

Catholic Identity

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will demonstrate our faith through action, worship and service, integrating school, parish and community to maintain and enhance its strong Catholic identity.

Year 1 Objective – Build the school’s relationship with the Sisters of Mercy by coordinating a monthly service project.

Ownership/Governance

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will maintain and promote a system of governance that encourages positive, constructive involvement and communication among parents, parish, advisory commission, staff, students and community.

Year 1 Objective – Publish a newsletter every trimester featuring news from the school to both parishes with space for feedback at the bottom.

Enrollment

Goal - Determine and strive to maintain an optimum enrollment level of 250 students by 2015.

Year 1 Objective - Feature SJS alumni in church bulletins.

Curriculum

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will provide a challenging curriculum for all students to improve academic performance.

Objective # 1 – Offer advanced math for advanced students.

Objective # 2 -- Reinstate the Science Fair.

Staffing

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will retain and develop a staff who model the Catholic faith and effectively teach the diocesan curriculum.

 

Year 1 Objective – Teachers will speak with each student’s family once a trimester for the purpose of enhancing student/teacher/parent relationships and to improve the students education experience.

Facilities

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will establish, implement and fund a plan for capital improvements, repair and deferred building maintenance of existing school buildings.

Year 1 Objective –Create and publish a list of facility improvement projects and arrange for “volunteer” workdays to complete them.

Finances

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will develop and implement procedures, policies and long term plans to ensure the long term financial security of the school.

Year 1 Objective - Develop and implement monthly profit and loss statements and review key balance sheet accounts (i.e. accounts receivable, cash & outstanding current payables).

Development

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will design and implement a marketing plan that will enhance the surrounding community’s knowledge of the school.

Year 1 Objective – Identify a new marketing tool every trimester and coordinate with the Community Liaison to implement it.

School in the Community

Goal - St. Joseph Catholic School will improve communication with the parents, alumni and parishioners to build stronger working relationships with the community.

Year 1 Objective:  Appoint a community service parent in each class (room parent) to coordinate an outreach project to the ministries of the parishes.

STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION

St. Joseph School employs only credentialed teachers who have demonstrated a deep commitment to Catholic education and who are wonderful role models for our youth. Students become empowered to attain academic excellence. The staff and administration have chosen to structure the curriculum program to meet or exceed California State Standards and Diocesan High School Competencies in all academic areas. Homework, grading, and communication policies foster a special relationship between student, parent, and teacher. Methodologies used in the classroom recognize the varied learning styles, aptitudes, and interests of our students. Above all, our staff and administration provide a caring, nurturing environment that enables each student to grow in love of God, neighbor and self.