Academic Support

At St. Joseph High School, it is our belief that learning is a collaboration between parents, students, teachers, counselors, and administrators. Each has a part to play in a student's success. It is our hope, that by the time a student graduates, he or she has become a lifelong learner. This maturation process takes time to develop as the right balance is struck between adult supervision and intervention and a student's ownership for learning. Younger students naturally need more adult supervision and advocacy. But as a student matures, it is expected that he or she will take responsibility for his or her learning.  In the end, if a student is to succeed in college, the student must be responsible and accountable for his or her education.

Communication

St. Joseph High School has many vehicles available to foster communication: Edline, e-mail, phone, conferencing, interim reports, report cards, the SJHS website, and Connect-Ed.

Extra Help

The most important level of support begins and ends with the student and teacher working together. If a student would like to schedule an extra help session, the student should first identify what questions or issues are causing difficulty.  The student should approach the teacher to schedule an appointment and check the teacher's availability.  Extra help sessions should be constructive and specific. Teachers are available to work with students until 2:30 pm on a regular school day dismissal.

Writing Center

The Writing Center is located in room 310 and is available to all students after school. This resource center is for the purpose of helping students sharpen their writing skills under the guidance of peers and faculty. Students may drop in the center as needed.

Conferences

To better coordinate and plan individual learning strategies, teachers, counselors, and administrators are available to meet with parents and students. Conferences may be held over the phone or by appointment.  If a parent would like to meet with a teacher, counselor, or administrator, the parent should contact the staff member and set up an appointment. If a conference is needed with multiple teachers in one meeting, the parent is asked to contact the counselor to arrange the date and time.

Tutoring

Members of the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society are available to tutor students after school or during the student's study period as schedules allow.

Referrals of professional tutors are available upon request and arrangements are made at the discretion of the parent. If employed, it is requested that the tutor coordinate efforts with the subject area teacher.

Supporting Success

There is additionally a free, school-based tutoring service with an experienced teacher, for both math and science, which welcomes students from every high school grade level who would like extra support or review.

The program is intended to provide help to all levels of students, and develop both remedial and advanced skills in these subject areas. This program joins The Writing Center in providing SJ students with practical and accessible learning resources in the college preparatory mission.

Special Education Services

If a student is in need of Special Education Services, the parent is asked to contact Mrs. Megan Baird, the Director of Special Education Services, mbaird@sjcadets.org     Mrs. Baird coordinates all IEP's and 504 plans. 

Intervention

Intervention meetings may be convened by the student’s guidance counselor or the administration for the purpose of evaluating a student’s progress when the student is demonstrating poor performance. Participants will include the student’s guidance counselor, and may include teachers, the Director of Special Education services, Social Worker, Dean of Students, school nurse and the administration. The student and parents will be requested to attend the review. Student progress will be reviewed on a periodic basis. It is expected that the student employ the strategies identified in the planning.