About UsSaint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten familes.
-Pope John Paul II
 | Mission Statement |
| History of St. Joseph Regional School |
| Philosophy of St. Joseph Regional School |
| Curriculum, Special Programs, and Extracurricular
Activities |
| Accomplishments |
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With a commitment to excellence, St. Joseph Regional School provides a safe, caring environment where students receive a quality Catholic, Christian education. The home, school and community participate as partners to ensure that all students have an opportunity to maximize their own unique potential. Mutual respect and self-worth are fostered as essential qualities. Emphasis is placed on enabling each student to adapt to change, to recognize the value of lifelong learning, and to become a contributing member of the global society.
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Under the direction of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Catholic Schools Office, seven parishes signed an agreement in 1984 to educate their children and form a new entity of St. Joseph regional School. This was the first regional school in the diocese. Since that time, the seven parishes have been suppressed into four: St. Mark, Port Vue; St. Martin dePorres, McKeesport; Queen of the Rosary, Glassport; and St. Patrick, McKeesport. Sister Mary George Manius, O.S.F., served as the first principal for three years Mrs.Elizabeth Kinol replaced Sister Mary George in September, 1987, and has served in that capacity until 2004 Mr.Frank Napoli then became the principal.
Today, St. Joseph Regional School serves 204 students in its kindergarten through grade eight program and 31 preschoolers.
Located in Port Vue, southeast of Pittsburgh in the heart of the Mon Valley, the school draws students primarily from Port Vue, Liberty Boro, Lincoln Borough, McKeesport, Dravosburg, Glassport,West Mifflin and Elizabeth Township.
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The goal of St. Joseph Regional School is to prepare our students spiritually, academically, socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and technologically to live in the global community.
Through our faith community, we foster service to God, His Church, and all people. We emphasize the message and values of our Catholic heritage in Jesus Christ and through His Gospel. Values permeate the day-to-day learning experiences in our school.. Our strong religious program includes active student participation in the Liturgy of the Mass, prayer services, and the sacraments. With the support of the parents and the parishes, St. Joseph Regional School provides a program of academic excellence. Our goals are implemented by a staff of dedicated, competent teachers who act as role models for students. The curriculums of our preschool, elementary, and middle school programs are based on research that has been proven to be successful while remaining rooted in the traditional fundamentals of education. Always tempering achievement with service to humanity and the environment, we attempt to develop the talents of the child in the arts and sciences. Emphasis is placed on enabling the students to adapt to change, to recognize the value of lifelong learning, and to become positive, contributing members of the global society while providing them with a Catholic perspective. The home, school, and community participate as partners to ensure that all students have an opportunity to maximize their own unique potential. Mutual respect and self-worth are fostered as essential qualities.
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St. Joseph Regional School provides three programs to meet the needs of students in preschool, elementary, and middle school. All three programs are designed to provide the curriculums that research as hound to be successful. Morals and values are integrated throughout the curriculum. Each program has its own curriculum and handbook guiding it and is a distinct entity while functioning in unity under the umbrella of the school community.
The school’s curriculum for all student in kindergarten through grade eight includes:
The federal lunch program is contracted through the Diocesan Purchasing Commission. The school receives government services for Title I (federal remedial reading and math), testing, busing and health professional assigned to the school.
There are two preschool programs: one for three-year-olds, and one for four-year-olds. The mission of the preschool is to provide a quality, developmentally appropriate Catholic, Christian program so that every child is ready and eager to learn when entering kindergarten. The interactive program uses thematic approach to learning.
Extracurricular activities enable the students to reach their potential and become better prepared to live in the world community. The extracurricular activities offered by the school are:
The school also engages its students in a variety of enrichment activities in the classroom such as Junior Achievement programs and participation in the Stock Market Game. Field trips focus on the fine arts program at the school.
| On the standard Terra Nova California Achievement Tests, every grade is above the
national average. Beginning in second grade, students score four months above the national
average. By the time students are in the middle school, grade averages exceed the national
averages by two years. |
| The school’s science program has been featured in the Middle States Association's
newsletter. |
| An Excellence in Education award was presented to the school from the Pennsylvania state
Education Association, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Achievement, and blue Cross/Blue
Shield. |
| Students have won an extraordinary number of science awards at competitions at the
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (both at regional and state competitions), Mon
Yough Science Fair, the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Technology fair, and the Invention
Convention. |
| The boys and girls basketball teams, both junior varsity and varsity, have won many division championships. They have also won many of the tournaments they were invited to attend. |
Updated by David Merritt on April 27, 09