Our school addresses the need for authentic Catholic education in the following ways:

Catechesis
For our religious education program, we use the Faith and Life series from Ignatius Press. It was the first series submitted to the U.S. bishops for approval and recognition of being in conformity with the Catechism. The Catechism itself is used in our upper grades, along with other approved, content-rich texts. For instance, each year the high school students study the complete text of a papal encyclical.

Oath of fidelity
If a teacher does not possess an understanding of the Catholic faith, she cannot teach it. If the catechist does not live the Catholic faith in a committed manner, his words are unconvincing. Therefore, St. Joseph Academy instructors take an annual oath of fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Also, in conjunction with a monthly faculty meeting, they attend a Holy Hour of Adoration for the intention of the school and its families.

Living the faith
The Catholic religion is not merely a subject to be studied and mastered. Students are taught to integrate their faith into every facet of their lives in order to assume an apostolic role in the world:

Students develop the habit of daily prayer (starting in kindergarten, where they learn the Pater Noster, the Our Father in Latin), receive confession once a month, and attend Mass on campus weekly.

A monthly virtue is taught and encouraged through our "Caught Being Virtuous" award program.

The Works of Mercy Fridays program provides opportunities for all students to visit the elderly, to assist the homeless, to build homes for the poor in Tijuana, Mexico, and to pray the rosary in front of the local abortion clinic. Each Friday during Lent, the children pray the Stations of the Cross located around the perimeter of the sports field.