Strengths of St. Joseph School
- A safe and personalized environment in which the relationship is one of `ohana (family).
- Spiritual values, moral training and Catholic religious teachings. Campus Ministry has taken the lead in planning and directing the annual Day of Reflection, divisional retreats, liturgical planning for school masses and other paraliturgical services. Student leaders also attend the annual LIFE Retreat sponsored by the Marianist Community at Cupertino, CA. There is a strong emphasis on service through the Service Learning Program. One hundred hours of community service are required as a graduation requirement. Additionally, students are given opportunities to engage themselves in service projects on the school, parish, community and global levels.
- Strong support from St. Joseph Parish (Hilo) and from other parishes on the Big Island whose congregations give generously to the Augustine Educational Foundation collection.
- The Alumni & Friends of St. Joseph School is firmly established with a growing membership dedicated to the future growth of St. Joseph School (Pre-School, Elementary, Jr-Sr High School). The Alumni & Friends have raised funds for scholarships and are committed to making tuition affordable to as many families as possible. In addition members of the organization have taken on campus upgrade projects, including the replacement of all basins (sinks) in lavatories across the campus. The Alumni & Friends have shown positive leadership in supporting the school with their time, talent and treasury.
- Excellent phonics program in the Elementary Division.
- Spacious campus.
- St. Joseph School has a strong, dedicated and qualified faculty. St. Joseph faculty members go above and beyond the call of duty to provide students with needed attention and additional help. Many have sacrificed higher paying jobs for the sake of the school's Catholic educational mission.
- Good location. (Close proximity to the Civic Center and UH-Hilo Campus)
- Sound structure/facilities. The school is gradually upgrading its aging facilities thanks to the Alumni & Friends, the success of the Country Fair, grants and generous donors.
- SJS athletes participate in Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) competition: Fall: Girls/Boys Bowling, Girls/Boys Volleyball, Cross Country, Winter: Boys Basketball, Girls/Boys Soccer, Paddling. Spring: Boys Baseball, Girls/Boys Tennis, Track & Field, Girls Basketball.
- In BIIF post season honors, SJS students placed on the 1st team in Boys Soccer and Girls Discus Throw, on 2nd team in Boys Soccer and Girls Shot Put, and on 3rd Team for Cheerleading. Athletes won Honorable Mention in Girls Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer, and Boys Basketball. During 2004-2005 SJS athletes qualified for State competition in Cross Country, Cheerleading, Discuss Throw and Shot Put.
- Participation in SJS athletics has opened the door to college acceptance and scholarships (e.g. Boston University (Track), University of Oregon (Volleyball), Hawaii Pacific University (Volleyball), Chaminade University (Golf), Fairfield University (Women's Volleyball) and Yavapai College (Cross Country).
- Strong Montessori-based Preschool which accepts children ages 2-5.
- St. Joseph School (Pre-K to 12) is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). During 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, SJS has been involved in a self study in preparation for an accreditation visitation in March 2006. SJS is seeking the Triple Crown, i.e. accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS).
- St. Joseph Jr-Sr High Division offers an excellent and versatile Fine Arts Program. (Beginning, Intermediate and Concert). Concert Band members were privileged to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA in 2002 and will participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2005. In the Art Program (including AP Art), students continue to excel and to receive recognition locally, statewide and nationally. Ensemble, which include ukulele, guitar and percussion instruction, will be expanding its vocal program. The drama program produced The Sound of Music in 2004 and West Side Story: A Revue in 2005. Plans for the 2006 musical production are in process.
- Renovation and up grading of science labs in the Jr/Sr High School has been a major strength. These labs are of the highest quality and state-of-the-art. The renovation is due to a grant from the E.L. Wiegand Foundation of $178,000). SJS student science fair participants have received recognition on the local, state and national levels. Student Kim Reinhold took First Place in the State Science Fair (Senior Division) for three consecutive years and has gone on to represent the State of Hawaii at the National Science & Engineering Fair each year. Kim has also placed 2nd in the International Science Symposium.
- A major plus for St. Joseph School is its International Program. In 2004-2005 there were twenty-three international students enrolled in the high school. These students come from a wide range of nations including: Spain, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Micronesia. The students are enrolled in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. Dr. Ed Paradis, ESL instructor, does a superior job in working with these students. Many of them are prepared to be mainstreamed into regular classes after three to six months of instruction. These students bring many gifts and talents to the school. They are good students and accomplished athletes. Many of them have the goal to continue their education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The renewal of our Sister School agreement with Japan (Urawa Jitsugyo Gakuen, Saitama Prefecture) in October 2004 during a visit by the Principal, Vice Principal, a teacher and ten students was a significant accomplishment.
- St. Joseph School provides a Quality Academic Program in this community with a proven record of accomplishment. St. Joseph graduates attend/have attended prestigious colleges and universities. (e.g. Boston University, Stanford, Yale, Rutgers, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts, Vassar, Creighton, University of Notre Dame, M.I.T., West Point, Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga University, Seattle University, University of San Francisco, University of San Diego, UC-Berkeley, UC-Davis, UC-Chico, University of Southern California, St. Mary's, Moraga, CA, School of the Arts Institute of Chicago, Air Force Academy, Chapman, etc.). SJS graduates of Chaminade University of Honolulu have returned to teach on the St. Joseph School faculty. Furthermore, St. Joseph graduates can be found as professional, religious and business leaders in this community and elsewhere.
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