Theology

"The New Testament course is my favorite. Not only do I learn about Catholicism, but I learn life lessons. This class teaches us so much."
~ Chloe '21

The mission of the Theology Department is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the magisterial teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the department goal that students be able to articulate the Faith, develop a closer relationship with the Triune God, and manifest the Gospel values in their lives. Students are required to take a full credit of Theology each year. In the senior year, students will choose two half-credit courses during advising to meet the requirement; or enroll in the year-long Peer Ministry course.

Theology Courses

Introduction to Catholicism/Old Testament

New Testament/Christology

Grade 10
1.0 Credit

In this course, students learn of God’s revelation through an examination of the writings of the New Testament, and by studying the person, role, nature and message of Jesus Christ. Emphasis on the development of Christology from the first century to the modern age, and an exploration of the Acts of the Apostles and the epistles illustrate the role of the early Christian community in the formation of the Church. Students learn to integrate Scripture into prayer life and moral decision-making.

Morality: Our Response to God’s Love

Catholic Social Teaching

Christian Lifestyles

Introduction to World Religions

Grade 12
0.50 Credit

This college-level course examines the origin and expression of the religious impulse from pre-history to modern times. Emphasis is placed on defining religion in general and a study of the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Each religion is examined from the viewpoints of Theology, Cosmology, History, Anthropology, and Sociology. Students are eligible to apply to receive 3 credits from Sacred Heart University. Prerequisites: Approval of the Department Chair

Faith and Reason

Grade 12
0.50 Credit

This college-level course examines profound philosophical and theological questions through ancient and contemporary primary sources spanning the Catholic intellectual tradition, with an emphasis on the interrelation of faith and reason. Students are eligible to apply to receive 3 credits from Sacred Heart University. Prerequisites: Approval of the Department Chair.

Prayer and Spirituality

Peer Ministry

Grade 12
1.0 Credit

This course trains its participants to embrace servant leadership and its application outside of the classroom. The course begins with a required summer workshop called the St Joe’s Leadership Institute. The course instructs students in effective leadership skills, counseling techniques and scenarios, group dynamics, public speaking, and emphasizes Roman Catholic Social Teaching as a foundation. All lessons are in response to the Gospel, the teaching of the Church, and the larger mission of Saint Joseph High School. Topics range from diversity and stereotypes to perception and behaviors of concern. These skills are used in leading small groups, retreats, workshops, and directed service to their peers. Students will also help coordinate and lead school retreats for students in grades 9, 10, and 11. Prerequisite: students must apply for admission to this course and receive approval from the Director of Campus Ministry.

Bioethics: From Basics to the Future

Grade 12
0.50 Credit

The course focuses on the key Catholic approaches to health care ethics health care issues. Topics include the history of the Church’s medical ethics, ethical methodologies, the development of virtues and key medical ethics issues including: reproductive technologies, abortion, genetic engineering, cloning, death and dying, euthanasia, the role of physician as healer, and organ donation. Prerequisites: Approval of the Department Chair

World Religions

Grade 12
0.50 Credit

This course is designed to help students develop religious literacy in accord with the directive of the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra Aetate to examine the Church’s relationship to non-Christian religions with the intention of “promoting unity and love among men.” Students will learn to identify the similarities and differences between Catholicism, other Christian denominations, and religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism and how to respectfully navigate these differences.

Theology Faculty

Paul Brunner

Class of 2005

Katie Cavazzini

John Imbimbo

Class of 2012

John Melnikov

Mollie Mitchell

Meghan Piatak

Class of 2002

Jordan Smith

Peter Umoh

Academic Levels

A brief explanation of our academic level rating system follows. Please note, students schedules are dynamic and may include varying levels of courses.

Course Scheduling

Course scheduling at St Joes is individualized and dynamic. Your student's curriculum will be challenging and appropriate to his or her learning needs. Our academic placements are tailored to each student's strengths. Students may progress through our curriculum as his or her mastery dictates allowing students to diversify their course levels.

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.

Student Academic Center

The Student Academic Center - Opened October 2019!

The Academic Center will be a designated place where any student may go after school to foster self-confidence and hone student-driven growth.

All students are invited to one-on-one tutoring in each subject, organization and study skills building, writing and research assistance, and presentation coaching after school.
The center also welcomes students looking for a quiet sanctuary for completing homework or reading.
Mrs Conetta (director), Mrs. Doyle (faculty math tutor), and peer tutors will be available.

Learn More About Our Student Academic Center Here

Sat Prep Course

SAT Prep Course

New Exam Format

The redesigned SAT Exam is a complete overhaul of the exam that most students have become familiar with over the years.

The exam is divided into four parts:

The Reading, Writing & Language, and Essay (optional) portions of the exam will focus on skills such as understanding words in context, evidence-based reading and writing, interpreting informational graphics, and analyzing sources.
The Math portions of the exam will focus on three major areas: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Heart of Algebra (linear equations and systems), and Passport to Advanced Math (complex equations). According to the College Board, the purpose of this new structure is to ask students “questions grounded in the real world, directly related to work performed in college and career.”

Course Goals

This course will help students navigate the changes to the new SAT Exam so that they can maximize their test scores. In addition, the course helps relieve the anxiety of the new format by reviewing the general skills necessary for success on the exam and breaks down the different components. By the end of the course, students will be able to walk into the Exam with the skills, knowledge and self-confidence they need to do their best.

The course begins with a full-length practice exam that will give students a baseline score. The scores include a detailed analysis of each student’s performance so that they can see the general areas and specific question types in which they need the most improvement.

Cost

The cost for both courses is $550 and includes the cost of the book, pre-test, and detailed score analysis. The cost for either course individually is $300 and also includes the cost of the book, pre-test, and detailed score analysis. Each course is taught by experienced instructors, with a maximum number of students per class.

Both Courses are open to Juniors and Seniors. Sophomores may register with prior approval of the course director.

Please contact Mr Martin Dempsey via email at mdempsey@sjcadets.org or by phone at: 203-378-9378 x201 for more information.

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 2:45 pm on a regular school day dismissal.

Writing Center

The Writing Resource Center at St Joseph High School is a student-centered learning, resource, and study environment for students to obtain and seek help concerning writing expository essays, creative assignments, and research/term papers for their classes. This program endorses writing across the curriculum, and student-trained tutors are available for tutoring sessions after school. During a session, peer tutors and teachers engage in conversation with student-writers, focusing on ideas, organization, development, argument, synthesis, and writers’ concerns. In serving as an audience, the Writing Resource Center staff fosters active learning, skill-set growth, and writing confidence while simultaneously providing support during any stage of the writing process: idea generation, brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or revision.

Moderators: Ms Lowell, tlowell@sjcadets.org | Ms Spano, jspano@sjcadets.org

Meeting Times:
Monday: 2:00-3:00pm
Tuesday: 2:00-2:30pm
Tuesday Online Tutoring Sessions: 2:00-7:00pm
Thursday: 2:00-3:00pm
Friday: 2:00-2:30pm

Location: Room 310

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 faculty or 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.

Faculty and Staff Directory

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. Please contact Lynn Mallon, Guidance Secretary for more information at lmallon@sjcadets.org.

Additionally, there is 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.

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, 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 intervention meeting.

Easy Writer

St Joseph High School uses the EasyWriter, a Pocket Reference, as a guide to improving writing and research. This reference guide is an important tool for students and teachers alike. Together, we agree to the formats used in writing and research. Departure from the formats referenced in the style guide is at the discretion of the teacher and will be communicated to the student as such.

The EasyWriter reference guide has many helpful tips for students. This guide addresses the essential areas of effective writing and research: writing, sentence grammar, sentence style, punctuation/mechanics, language, multilingual writers, research, and documentation. Students at St Joseph High School are expected to regularly refer to the style guide to assist in proper format and citation.

The following sections are of particular importance to a student as he or she documents his or her research. Specific examples are given in the style guide.

Research—please refer to the following sections in your EasyWriter:

“Materials that do not require acknowledgement”
“Materials that do require acknowledgement”
“Avoiding plagiarism”

Documentation—ask your teacher which format he or she prefers:

Modern Language Association (MLA)

MLA manuscript format
In-text citations
List of works cited

American Psychological Association (APA)

APA manuscript format
In-text citations
List of references

Chicago Style (CHI)

Chicago manuscript format
Footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography
Council of Science Editors (CSE)

CSE manuscript format

In-text references
List of references

Academic & Student Support Services