At St. Joseph School, we recognize the importance of academic success and are proud to share our most recent data. The graphs below compare St. Joseph School’s February 2020 STAR testing data to the end of the 2019 school year CAASPP data of our nearby district, county and state. (The CAASPP data from 2020 will only be published at the end of the school year.)
Report cards are issued three times a year in Grades 1-8. (Kindergarten progress is discussed at the fall Parent-Teacher Conference.) Kindergarten students will receive report cards for the subsequent two trimesters.
Parents and students in grades 6-8 can view grades online using PowerSchool.
Grades 6-8:
A (93-100) A- (90-92) B+ (87-89) B (83-86) B- (80-82)
C+ (77-79) C (73-76) C- (70-72) D+ (67-69) D (63-66)
D- (60-62) F (< 59) P (Pass) NP (No Pass)
A (Very Good) B (Good) C (Satisfactory) D (Unsatisfactory/Below Grade Level) F (Failed)
√ (Improvement needed in subsection checked) , NG (Not Graded). P (Pass) NP (No Pass)
Grades K-5:
Standards Based Report Card
5 – Exceeds end of year grade level expectations by independently applying and utilizing concepts and skills
4 – Consistently and independently demonstrates mastery of/proficiency in the grade level standard
3 – Progressing toward consistent and independent mastery of/proficiency in the grade level standard
2 – Beginning to show growth and progress with support
1 – Needs more time and support to develop
Awards are a means to recognize special achievements and instill motivation in students. As an academic institution, St. Joseph School awards various levels of performance with certificates, such as Honors, Principal’s List, and Perfect Attendance to students in grades 6 to 8. In addition to these awards, students have the opportunity to earn recognition for Christian service in the middle school Service Block for students in grades 5 to 8.
Perfect Attendance (6-8)
Honors (6-8)
Principal’s List (6-8)
The grade point scale for determining Honors and Principal’s List is as follows:
A 4.0 B+ 3.3 C+ 2.3 D+ 1.3
A- 3.7 B 3.0 C 2.0 D 1.0
B- 2.7 C- 1.7 D- 0.7
A student suspended during a trimester or on behavioral probation is not eligible for Honors, Principal’s List, or Young Christian Awards for that trimester.
The California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF), an Honor Society, is a junior branch of the High School CSF. Membership is open to eligible eighth graders who have earned a minimum of 12 points in four out of the last six trimesters of school including the final trimester of Grade 8 in the following subjects: Religion, Reading/Literature, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. All academic grades must be at least a C- and conduct must be at least a B in order for the quarter to be considered. In determining eligibility, each A- or above is given 3 points, each B- or above equals 1 point. These criteria are posted in the Junior High classrooms. Students who have earned this honor will receive special recognition at graduation. The CJSF record will follow the student to the high school. CJSF is under the direction of the Principal.
Our Art program is one of the best in the Diocese. Grades K-8 have art once a week. The students learn to make many different types of art such as ceramics, sketching, water coloring, oil pastels, chalk pastels, printing, and much more. The art created by the students is always showcased throughout the school. We also display art at the Diocese of San Jose and the Mountain View Library. In addition, some students’ art work is showcased at the Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show in the spring.
Music is taught once a week to grades K-5 by the Community School of Music and Art (CSMA). All students participate in two performances a year: one at Christmas and one in the Spring.
Beginning-Advanced Instrumental program offered after school.
St. Joseph School has enjoyed a robust Choir program for many years. Mr. Joseph Pigg volunteers his time to work with and teach over 30 students, at 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 Friday mornings to help students with the complexities and beauty of Christian music. Our choir sings at all of the school Masses as well as once a month at the Family Mass held at our Parish, St. Joseph Church. They also compete in the Choir festival in April, held by the Diocese. Any 4th-8th student is welcome to join.
Physical education contributes significantly to every student’s health and well-being. Physical education is an instructional priority for California schools. Every student—regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender, native language, race,religion, or sexual orientation—is entitled to a high-quality physical education program. Physical education is an integral part of the overall education program for every student and provides one of the few opportunities for every student to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to lead a physically active lifestyle. A high-quality physical education program promotes an active lifestyle and improved health, motor skill development, and better cognitive performance. (Etnier and Sibley 2003; Etnier et al. 1997).
The proper development of movement and motor skills requires instruction, practice, and appropriate feedback. Most students do not develop the proper technique or understanding of movement and motor skills on their own. Proficiency in movement and motor skills allows greater enjoyment when one participates in individual and dual sports, combatives, aquatics, tumbling and gymnastics, rhythms and dance, and team sports. In addition, this proficiency carries over to life skills, such as safely walking and climbing and avoiding falls.
Over 200 studies (Etnier and Sibley 2003) have addressed the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function. Meta-analyses have been applied to the studies in general (Etnier et al. 1997) and, more specifically, to children from elementary to high school age (Etnier and Sibley 2003). According to Etnier and associates (1997), the evidence consistently shows that despite study design, student health, or type of activity, exercise improves the cognitive performance of children. One study found that “devoting substantially increased school time to health-related physical education does not have detrimental effects on students’ academic achievement” (Sallis et al. 1999). A Study of the Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement in California Using 2004 Test Results (2005) reports that while there is little research on the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement, the research that has been conducted indicates a positive correlation between physical fitness and academic achievement. As one rises, so does the other (A Study of the Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement 2005, 1). (Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Adopted by theCalifornia State Board of Education Published by the California Department of Education Sacramento, 2009)
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First Eucharist is offered to all students second through eighth grades. Confirmation is offered to seventh and eighth students on even years.
180 Total Students
1 per 19.5