Academics
Academics & Programs
St. Joseph Catholic School’s academic curriculum follows the rigorous standards set by the Diocese of Charleston and exceeds the standards set by the state of South Carolina.
What separates us from other schools:
- Student/Teacher ratio of 15:1
- Safe and welcoming environment
- STEM Certified – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Superior and proven remote learning platform
- Faith based education and moral development
- K4 First Step Free Tuition program
- Each student receives access to educational devices
- Promethean boards in every classroom
- Outdoor classroom
- Field trips
- Enrichment Clubs
- School projects and Community Service
- Annual Science/Curriculum Fair
- Intervention and Enrichment (Bilingual)
- Tri County Therapy partner for physical and occupational therapy
All Grades receive instruction weekly in:
- STREAM + Music/Choir, Spanish, Art, and Physical Education (recess daily)
- Sadlier Math proven curriculum using the spiral approach to learning
- Hands-on Science Labs
- Instruction in cursive writing
Middle School additionally receives:
- Honors classes in Math, Spanish, and English Language Arts
- Composition skills with writing lab
- Public speaking skills
- Academic Competitions, including Oratorical Contests, and Geography and Spelling Bees
Map Testing
STREAM
Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Math – STREAM
We integrate STEM into our program from K4 through 8th grade. STEM is about helping students to learn how to solve real-world problems in teams. As part of this, they use the Engineering Design Method to learn how to analyze, imagine, and build solutions.
However, life is more than just technical problems to be solved. At our school with the integration of religion and the arts, STEM becomes STREAM. Through religion, students evaluate moral and ethical questions and think about the good of society and human dignity. Through the arts, students gain appreciation of the beauty around them and are encouraged to explore both the visual and performing arts.
STREAM allows us to teach subjects from across the curriculum to help students make links and see new relationships. It prepares students for future careers, but most importantly, it prepares them to live as contributing and virtuous citizens.
Music & Performing Arts
Choir – Students 4th – 8th Grade participate in Choir. They perform during the school year and at several Masses during the school year.
Christmas Program – All students participate in the annual Christmas Program. By singing, dancing, acting, narrating, and playing instruments, the story of Jesus’ birth is brought to life.
Additional programs are held throughout the year. Among other events, students participate in a Veteran’s Day program, Christmas Program, Lenten Program, and on some occasions, play an active role in the school Mass.
Visual Arts
St. Joseph’s Visual Arts program encompasses a wide range of artists and mediums that allow for students to fully embrace the true nature of art – which is finding what is true and beautiful in all things. Students explore artists like Michelangelo, Durer, Picasso and many more! They will discover the artwork and perspectives that made them famous and be introduced to their mediums like clay, wood, metal, as well as the more typical ones like acrylic, watercolor and gouache. This approach allows the students to expand their artistic knowledge by fully experiencing each medium and exploring all different aspects of it.
Selected students will participate in the Anderson County Youth Art Month and the Annual Diocese of Charleston Art Expo.
Students participate in weekly 50-minute art classes that run through cycles to incorporate at least 10 different mediums per age group.
Technology
At St. Joseph Catholic School, we prepare students for a digital world that demands more than just technical skill—it requires a well-formed conscience. Our Coding and Technology program integrates high-level engineering with the foundational principles of Catholic Social Teaching, ensuring students grow into both innovative creators and ethical leaders.
The SJCS Innovation Framework: Coding, 3D Design, and AI
We provide a tiered technology experience that evolves from foundational logic to complex digital creation, all powered by the collaborative flexibility of Google Apps for Education.
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Primary Innovation (Pre-K – 3rd Grade): Using iPads, students master the building blocks of computational thinking. By focusing on logic and sequencing through tactile apps, they learn that technology is a tool for solving problems and helping others.
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Advanced Computing & 3D Design (3rd – 8th Grade): Students utilize Chromebooks and Google Classroom to transition into syntax-based coding and 3D Printing. By designing physical objects via CAD software, students apply geometry and physics to real-world stewardship—creating solutions that are functional, beautiful, and purposeful.
Critical Thinking & The Ethical Frontier of AI
As Artificial Intelligence reshapes society, SJCS prioritizes Digital Discernment. We don’t just teach students how to use AI; we teach them to question it.
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Algorithmic Literacy: Students learn to analyze how AI models function, identifying potential biases and understanding that human intelligence must always be the “pilot” of machine output.
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Intellectual Integrity: Through our Critical Thinking curriculum, students explore the boundaries of academic honesty, learning to use AI as a collaborator for brainstorming rather than a substitute for original thought.
Technology Through a Catholic Lens
In alignment with the Church’s teachings on the dignity of the human person, our technology program emphasizes the moral dimension of the digital age:
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Dignity & Respect: We teach that every digital interaction must reflect the inherent dignity of others, combat cyberbullying, and promote “digital charity.”
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Stewardship of Truth: In an era of deepfakes and misinformation, we instill a commitment to the Truth (Veritas). Students are trained to verify sources and use technology to elevate, not obscure, reality.
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Human-Centric Engineering: Our coding and 3D printing projects are rooted in the idea that technology should serve humanity. Whether coding an app to assist the elderly or 3D printing a solution for a local charity, our students learn that innovation is an act of service.
