Mission, Philosophy and ESLR's
Vision Statement
St. Joseph High School is a Catholic learning community of students, parents, and educators that delivers the highest quality college preparatory programs and inspires a strong family spirit of shared Christian values in students who seek to develop their faith, their intellect, and their ability to make a positive mark on the world in which they live.
Mission Statement
St. Joseph High School, a Catholic co-educational secondary school in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, offers college preparatory with honors, college preparatory, as well as high school diploma programs. Our educational services are governed by the need to thoroughly equip our students for a post-secondary education. The mission of the school is the formation of the person To Image Christ in Mind, Heart, Body and Soul within the context of the Christian family-community, in hopes of contributing to the well-being of the Church, the community, the nation and the world it serves.
Philosophy Statement
St. Joseph High School is a Catholic secondary school (Grades 9-12), owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and staffed by members of the Josephite Fathers, the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, and lay teachers and staff members. The high school is located on the Central Coast of California in the City of Santa Maria and serves the communities of the Santa Maria Valley and other nearby areas. The school is primarliy a college preparatory institution, but offers not only College Preparatory with Honors, College Preparatory Programs, but a High School Diploma Program as well. We are open to serve families of all religious traditions in the belief that God's love is universal and that the Christian mission to "all the nations" [Matthew 28:18] embraces the whole human family.
The object of Christian education has always been to form the total Christ-centered person. The entails the formation not only of the mind, but also the heart, the will and the affective life: the body, and the spirit [1 Thes. 5:23-24]. In this way the child develops into a mture and well-balanced adult who is a true and faithful follower of Jesus, the Christ.
Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs)
A St. Joseph High School graduate will have the capabilities to image Christ through the development of:
MIND:
- Think critically: gather, organize, evaluate, integrate and disseminate information from a wide spectrum of sources
- Communicate effectively and ethically through reading, listening, writing, speaking, and using of technology
- Understand and effectively address environmental and global challenges
- Nurture creativity and appreciation for art, beauty, and culture
HEART:
- Develop maturity, responsibility, accountability, integrity and tolerance
- Foster an understanding of a culturally and religiously diverse society through respect, cooperation, and compassion for the world and its people
- Cultivate an ethical framework that can be used as a foundation for sound decision making
BODY:
- Understand the connection between physical and intellectual wellness and foster an attitude of respect for the body and its health
- Enhance the whole person through participation in physical activities, including athletics, leisure and play
SOUL:
- Build a solid system of Catholic beliefs, principles, and values inspired and taught by Christ
- Show love for God, others and self through active participation in one's faith community and service to others
Thus, by developing the mind, heart, body and soul, St. Joseph High School will foster an individual who will accept the challenge of learning for a lifetime.
