New Students

 

Congratulations Class of 2023!

You're officially St Joes Cadets, welcome to the family! This page is your "one-stop-shop" for all you need to know as new students entering St Joseph High School. Below is a checklist for you to follow as you prepare for your first day at SJ!

As always don't hesitate to contact the Admissions office at (203) 378-9378 x308 if you have any further questions!

 

Help Us Build Your Freshman Schedule!

Step 1: Review Elective Options

Freshman Elective and Optional Placement Exam Registration

We are already building your schedule for freshman year! Freshmen have an option of choosing an elective course as well as a World Language. Students may also elect to test into a higher level Math or World Language. Please read more about electives and placement exams before making your selection.

Each student will receive a tentative course listing at Orientation on May 8. To learn more about our curriculum sequence and program of studies, click here.

Freshmen Course Electives  

Freshmen students may elect to take both Technology Concepts and Introduction to Health and Wellness or either Concert Band or Concert Choir. 

Option 1

 

Technology Concepts (CP)

0.50 Credit

This course introduces freshmen to technology-centered inquiry-based learning by integrating Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs with applied hands-on STEM experiences.  Students will have repeated opportunities to learn collaboratively, practice task-management, and cultivate teamwork, effective communication, and critical-thinking skills and will gain the software and technical skills necessary for success in high school, college and beyond.

Students may elect to take this course during the summer session and will receive a full-week study hall during one semester of freshman year. Please note that the summer course is a two-week intensive program that requires a high level of motivation.

Introduction to Health and Wellness (CP)

 0.5 Credit

The overall goal of the Health and Wellness curriculum is to introduce St Joseph’s incoming freshman into the basics of health, fitness, nutrition and creating healthy lifestyles using the SJHS gymnasium, fields, and the Health and Wellness Center. At the conclusion of this course students will be able to navigate the Wellness Center, understand the basics of nutrition, weight management, proper hygiene essentials and how to develop a personalized plan to create “fitness for life.” This course will introduce students to the Plt4m digital application which will track student progress as they are introduced to weightlifting and basic athletic development.

 

Option 2

Concert Band (CP), 1.0 Credit

Concert Band provides students the opportunity to develop their musical and spiritual potential with an emphasis on fulfilling musical objectives. Students engage in activities designed to give them a thorough grounding in instrumental playing and musical literacy, instrumental technique, performance practice and sight-reading. The band performs at St Joseph High School events. Concert Band requires attendance at two after school dress rehearsals for winter and spring performances. Pre-requisite: Students must have prior instrumental experience and an understanding of sheet music.

 

Option 3

Concert Choir (CP), 1.0 Credit

The Concert Choir ensemble is for the student with a love of singing, no previous vocal training required. Students work on sacred and secular choral literature while studying music notation, sight singing, music vocabulary and vocal technique. In addition to ensemble rehearsal, students receive bi-weekly small group lessons for instruction designed to address individual student needs. Concert Choir requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances.

Step 2: Review Optional Placement Exams

(Optional) Math & World Language Placement Exams

Math and World Language placement exams are not mandatory. If your student chooses not to take an exam, he or she will be placed in College Prep Algebra I and Level 1 World Language. These exams are administered on June 13 or June 15 to students who wish to opt-in to taking one or both of these exams to be considered for placement (higher than level 1). All students will be notified of their placement the first week of July.
 
Math Placement Exam: Students who have taken a full year of either Algebra I or Geometry in 8th grade are eligible to take this exam. The Algebra I and Geometry subject exams are tested separately. A list of topics tested on the math placement exams can be found here. 
 
World Language Placement Exam: Students who have taken a full year or more of world language instruction are eligible to take this exam. Exams are available for French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin.
 
Exam Schedule

  • Thursday, June 13, 2019 or Saturday, June 15, 2019
  • 9:00am - Math Exam
  • 10:30am - World Language Exam

Step 3: Make A Selection

Please use the form below to make a freshman elective course and world language selection. You will receive separate confirmation emails for each selection a week after your submission, however you will receive a copy of your selections once you submit your form. Please reach out to our office should you have any questions admissions@sjcadets.org or 203-378-9378 ext 308.

   

New Student Checklist

New Student Event Dates

Optional Placement Exams - June 13 or 15

  • Registration required
  • 9:00am Math Exam
  • 10:30am World Language Exam

Uniform Swap - June 15, 2019  (8:30am-12:00pm)

  • No registration needed
  • Seniors donate their gently used uniforms to freshman on their last day, come take an item or two to add to your closet!

Orientation and Start Dates

Get out your schedule! Mark your calendars (*2019-2020 calendar will be available online in late June). Orientation Itineraries will be available in June.

  • School Start Dates & Welcome Week
    • August 26, 2019 - International Student Orientation (for new international students only) (9:00am-2:00pm)
    • August 27, 2019 - No school for students, professional development.
    • August 28, 2019 - Freshman, International and Transfer Student Orientation (7:55am-12:30pm)
    • August 29, 2019 - Freshman and Sophomore Orientation (7:55am-12:00pm)
    • August 30, 2019 - Junior and Senior Orientation (7:55am-12:00pm)
    • September 3, 2019 - First Full Day of School (7:55am-2:15pm)
  • Scheduled Breaks - Thanksgiving Break: November 27-29, Christmas Break: December 23-January 1, February Break: February 17-21, April Break: April 9-17

Enrollment Forms

  • Pupil Information Form (PIF) –  Please confirm or update this form to verify your contact information, your student’s correct legal name and emergency contacts. Please return this form to the admissions office before the start of school. This form is personalized. If you need an additional copy please contact Mrs Lucy at sjcadets.org. 
  • Release - Return your signed records release form to your current middle school to allow them to mail us your child’s final 8th Grade Transcript and Medical File. You cannot start school at St Joes without these items!
  • Health Evaluation - Your doctor can complete these forms during your child’s next physical. This form needs to be completed between May 2019- April 2020. However, if your child is playing a fall sport, an additional medical form may need to be completed. Athletic forms can be found here.
  • Nurse – If you have specific questions about your student’s health needs, please introduce yourself to our nurse Ms Miller at dmiller@sjcadets.org. 

Sign Up For SJ Bus Transportation Or SJHS Carpool Network (Optional)

Click here to access our transportation page to learn more about St Joes Bus Routes, the SJHS Carpool network and after school options.

Summer Reading

This year’s One School, One Book initiative will engage our school community in a literary experience that reaches beyond the classroom and traditional summer reading assignments. Through our shared reading experience, we will explore varied projects for each academic discipline, and come together as a community for shared discussion and activities. Projects will be assigned in September.

 

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer

ISBN: 978-0-9841113-1-2

 

“The Irena Sendler Project is a Holocaust history and more. It is the inspirational story of Protestant students from Kansas, each carrying her own painful burden, each called in her own complex way to the history of a Catholic woman who knocked on Jewish doors in the Warsaw ghetto and, in Sendler's own words, "tried to talk the mothers out of their children." Inspired by Irena Sendler, they are living examples of the power of one person to change the world and models for young people everywhere.

Sixty percent of the sales of this book are donated to the Irena Sendler/Life in a Jar Foundation. The foundation promotes Irena Sendler's legacy and encourages educators and students to emulate the project by focusing on unsung heroes in history to teach respect and understanding among all people, regardless of race, religion, or creed.” -- Amazon

Learn More About Summer Courses and Sports Camps

Click here to learn more about our summer course offerings! Descriptions, dates and times are available now. Registration will open April 8 at noon.

Click here to learn more about our summer sports camps. 

iPad Order Form

Plan ahead to purchase an iPad if you do not already own one. You can purchase an iPad through St Joes with no sales tax for $375 (with 3-year Apple Care included). An order form is available here.

Learn more about our 1:1 iPad program here. 

Review Uniform Guidelines

Uniforms: All students are required to be in full uniform for the start of school. The uniform can be purchased at Blake's School Uniform in Stratford, CT. 

Click here to download: Dress Code Requirement for St Joseph High School

Get Connected & Involved

Clubs and Activities:
Check out this list of Clubs and Activities so you can get involved right away when you enter as a freshmen! A club and activity fair will take place during August Orientation.

Athletics:
Click here to view our sports by season. We will notify you of fall sport try-outs when the information is available (mid-summer).

Parent Connection:
Parents, you can get involved too! Check out the Parent Association information page and contact Dawn Handwerker, dhandwerker@sjcadets.org with any further questions!

Get Connected:
There are many ways where you can keep up with the latest information about St Joes!

Get to know our faculty and staff before you enter our school halls in August! Check out the Faculty and Staff Directory with bios and information about our teachers and staff!

    School News