History

For more than 50 years, many of the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish had the opportunity to receive a Catholic education. During the early 1950's parishioners began discussing building a Catholic school. In 1954, a school consisting of four classrooms, a hall, and a kitchen was built.

There were no Sisters available in 1954, so Father O'Connell, O.M.I., the pastor, decided to hire two lay women: Mrs. J.R. Alamia and Mrs. Patricia Lutz. Enrollment consisted of nineteen children in Mrs. Alamia's kindergarten class and fifteen in Mrs. Lutz' first and second grades.

With hopes of getting Sisters, Father O'Connell built the present convent, now parish offices, in 1956. In 1957, two Sisters from the Holy Spirit Sisters of San Antonio arrived and with the help from some competent lay people, continued for many years. The school was very strong and enrollment reached 300 students in the early 1980s. In 1983, the Holy Spirit Sisters withdrew and Mary Ellen Cavazos became the first lay principal. The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have administered St. Joseph School from 1999 to the present.

Classes in 1983 included 3K through 8th grade.

During the summer of 1998 and continuing into the Fall, many structural and building changes were completed thanks to a major donation from the estate of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mador. The front "porch" was enclosed for safety reasons, new doors were installed, the EC through Kindergarten wing was enclosed, and air conditioning and electrical needs were assessed and improved. In addition, two different areas were resurfaced for safety.

Between 1998 and 2002, St Joseph School added a portable classroom building and three classrooms. In addition, the parish constructed an Evangelization Center. During the summer of 2003, the exterior of the school building was painted and the computer room was completely renovated and upgraded.

Throughout the many changes, the St. Joseph philosophy and mission statements remain constant. The reputation of providing an environment where each child has the opportunity to mature in faith, to develop in all areas of growth, and to prepare for service to others continue to prevail. The "feelings of warmth and caring" that so many families verbally express guarantee St. Joseph School as "the Good News in Education".