Technology & Innovation

"I really enjoy Coding and am excited to implement it in a college course - like using MIT App Inventor software and Ardvino boards."
~ Ryan '20

If the true purpose of education is to foster the ability to critically think, analyze, explore, and create, than what better way to attain this goal than to offer courses intentionally designed to do just this? Freshman year, students will begin a new course called IDEA (Innovation, Design, and Engineering Applications) which is a project-based technology rich course. Collaborative, inquiry-based learning will assist the students with the skills needed to be successful in high school and higher education. Many other innovative and technology focused classes can also be taken such as Robotics, Coding, Engineering Design Project, Software Development, and Aviation and Flight Science. Innovation does not stop with students. Faculty have had professional development on ways to incorporate innovative ideas and projects into the curriculum to engage the learner of today. The English Department has used specially designed video games and interactive blogs to involve the student. It is also common in St Joes to see robots and drones enhancing the curriculum.

Technology & Innovation Courses

Aviation and Flight Science Technology

Grades 11, 12
0.50 Credit

The primary objective of the Aviation and Flight Science course is to put high school math and science classes into applied context through the thrilling real-world framework of aviation. The secondary objective is to equip students with key college & career soft skills including critical thinking, public speaking, task management, and effective teamwork & communication. Through extensive ground school studies and strenuous flight training on highly-realistic desktop simulators, graduates of this course will be able to boast a significant portion of the same training civilian and military pilot candidates receive in flight school without leaving the safety of the classroom environment. Students interested in aviation, physiological effects aircraft on the human body, application of physics and math in the real world are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience required

Engineering Design Project Technology

Grades 11, 12
0.50 Credit

Milestone C’s EDP curriculum has been carefully crafted with a sharp technical focus to groom future design engineers. Student teams will embark on an extended design project emulating a real-world engineering program complete with requirements analysis, milestone reviews, schedule and budget management, and a detailed test program prior to fielding a complex, physical end-product. Students will benefit from the technical and soft skills acquired during this course for years to come, regardless of the career path they choose. Students interested in applying the thought process of an engineer while designing, building and testing a prototype to meet a customer’s need are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience required.

Principles of Engineering

Grade 10, 11, 12
0.50 Credit

This survey course exposes students to major concepts that will be covered in a college-level engineering course. Topics include mechanisms, energy, statics, materials and kinematics. Students develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges that they document and communicate.

IDEA: Innovation, Design, and Engineering Applications Technology

Grade 9
0.50 Credit

This course introduces freshmen students to technology-centered, hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Through assorted projects, students will gain the software and technical skills necessary for success in high school, college and beyond. Students will have repeated opportunities to use design mindset, learn collaboratively, practice taskmanagement, and cultivate teamwork, communication, and critical-thinking skills.

Robotics and Automated Systems

Grades 11, 12
0.50 Credit

Students will establish a baseline understanding of how electronics, mechanics, and software come together in the 21st century, leading to articulated and automated systems design. In addition to the hands-on, project-based modules of the course, students will be introduced to the basics electronics, mechanical systems, articulation and mechanics, motors and servos, system integration, 3D modeling, graphical programming, and coding. Students interested in technology; specifically mechanical assembly and movement, hardware/software functionality, coding and programing are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience required

Software Development and Integration Technology

Grades 11, 12
0.50 Credit

In today’s global technology network, software is the single common thread tying all disciplines together. All STEM industries, without exception, benefit from the efforts of software developers, engineers, and integrators on a daily basis. This lighting-paced course will introduce students to how corporate software projects are developed, managed, integrated, and fielded. An interface-oriented approach to software development eliminates the need for any prior coding experience. Students will navigate this complex world following a project-based roadmap and leave with a significant sense of accomplishment and key professional skills after creating professional-caliber apps, games, and control algorithms. SDI graduates will establish a solid foundation in software development principles. More importantly, they will gain big-picture understanding of interface management and the engineering process at large. Students interested in understanding how software and hardware affect each other and how software projects are developed in the real world are encouraged to take this course. No prior coding experience required.

Technology & Innovation Capstone Project

Grades 11, 12
0.50 Credit

In an open-ended and semester-long project, students will be learning “on the job”. They are provided with a framework, deadlines and are then required to work within their team to execute the entire design; life cycleplanning, analysis, design, and implementation. This project is both software and hardware focused, with an emphasis on project freedom emulating the industry. The student groups are structured as cross-functional engineering teams, which facilitates cohesive and consistent progress throughout the design process. By utilizing a multitude of soft and technical skills and applying them to a real-world problem, this course is an exceptional college resume builder! This course is offered in the spring only. Taking an Innovation class prior to Capstone is recommended, but not required.

Technology & Innovation Faculty

Coleman Daley

David Lasecki

Harvey Mamrus

Colleen Piatak

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