World Languages

"Taking Mandarin prepared me for the Immersion trip to China. In only 1.5 years, I can already converse with someone who solely speaks Mandarin, which I accomplished while in China!"
~ Rosie '21

The mission of the World Languages Department is to educate the whole student through the teaching of language, grammar, and culture. ACTFL National Standards of Communication, Connections, Comparisons, Cultures, and Communities are integrated within all World Language pedagogical initiatives. Interpretive, Presentational, and Interpersonal Modes of Communication are also incorporated in all language curriculums as to guide learners in reaching higher communication achievements in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Additional emphasis is placed on cultural themes, topics, and issues of target language countries. The department of World Languages encourages students to look beyond their own community and embrace respect, empathy, and diversity in a multicultural society.
St Joseph High School offers the following world languages: French, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish. Latin 1 & 2 are available through the Virtual High School Program.

World Language Courses

French Courses

French 1:

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course introduces students to the sound systems and intonations of the French language with emphasis on the development of audio-lingual skills. Students are introduced to basic structures within a defined vocabulary selection in order to engage in simple conversation and develop a reasonable ability to read and write French. Students are also introduced to French culture through geography, history, and art.

French 2:

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course strengthens a student’s speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. New grammatical structures and verb formations are introduced while also improving listening comprehension. Further study is developed regarding French history, civilization, and society.

French 3

Grades 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course continues introducing more advanced structures of the French language while furthering language acquirement/comprehension through listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Basic structures are reviewed as necessary. This is a continued study of French culture.

French 4

Grades 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course is for the advanced student who would like to strengthen and further develop language skills. Oral, written, and grammar study are conducted in French. This intermediate-high level course is designed as an interactive communicative approach focusing on meaningful contexts that develop and consolidate a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competencies.

Italian Courses

Italian 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course introduces the student to the sound systems and intonations of the Italian language with emphasis on the development of audio-lingual skills. Students are introduced to basic structures within a defined vocabulary selection in order to engage in simple conversation and to develop a reasonable ability to read and write Italian. Students are also introduced to Italian culture through geography, history, and art.

Italian 2

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course strengthens a student’s speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. New grammatical structures and verb formations are introduced while also improving listening comprehension. Further study is developed regarding Italian history, civilization, and society.

Italian 3

Grades 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course continues introducing more advanced structures of Italian grammar while furthering language acquirement/comprehension through listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Basic structures are reviewed as necessary. There is also a continued study of Italian culture.

Italian 4

Grades 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course is for the advanced student who would like to strengthen and further develop language skills. Oral, written, and grammar study are conducted in Italian. This intermediate-high level course is designed as an interactive communicative approach focusing on meaningful contexts that develop and consolidate a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competencies.

Mandarin Courses

Mandarin 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course introduces the student to the correct pronunciations and use of conversational patterns of Mandarin. Emphasis is placed on oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills. Students learn the creation and use of Mandarin characters and pinyin. Students are also introduced to Chinese culture through geography, history, and art. World Languages (cont’d) 38

Mandarin 2

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course strengthens oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills. Focus is placed on the creation and use of Mandarin characters as well as pinyin. Students make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities within China while examining cultural themes, topics, and issues.

Mandarin 3

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course continues in introducing more advanced structures of Mandarin grammar while furthering language acquirement/comprehension through listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This course also requires the application of language fundamentals through paired and group activities. Exposure to adapted texts complements interpretive skills of written and spoken Chinese language.

Mandarin 4

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course is for the advanced student who would like to strengthen and further develop his or her language skills. Oral, written, and grammar study are conducted in Mandarin. This intermediate-high level course is designed as an interactive communicative approach focusing on meaningful contexts that develop and consolidate a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competencies.

Spanish Courses

Spanish 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course introduces students to the sound systems and intonations of the Spanish language with emphasis on the development of audio-lingual skills. Students are introduced to basic structures within a defined vocabulary selection in order to engage in simple conversation and develop a reasonable ability to read and write Spanish. Students are also introduced to Spanish culture through geography, history, and art.

Spanish 2

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course strengthens a student’s speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. New grammatical structures and verb formations are introduced while also improving listening comprehension. This is a further study of Spanish history, civilization, and society.

Spanish 3

Grades 10, 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course introduces more advanced structures of Spanish grammar while furthering language acquirement/ comprehension through listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This course also incorporates Hispanic literature, culture, and current publications. The course is conducted primarily in Spanish.

Spanish 4

Grades 11, 12
1.0 Credit
This course is for the advanced student who would like to strengthen and further develop his or her language skills. Oral, written, and grammar study are conducted in Spanish. This intermediate-high level course focuses on meaningful contexts that develop and consolidate a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competencies. Students also view, research, and discuss the importance of cultural figures through short Hispanic films, Spanish texts, and current publications. This course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.

AP French Language

Grade 12
1.0 Credit

This online college-level course follows the standard syllabus approved by College Board and is designed to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills using literary and conversational materials. The class is currently taken online. Students will have the option to take the Advanced Placement Exam which is administered in May. Prerequisites: Approval of the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction.

AP Spanish

Grades 11, 12
1.0 Credit

This college level course follows the standard syllabus approved by College Board. Conducted entirely in Spanish, students use two programs specifically directed toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture Curriculum guidelines as published by College Board. The majority of homework, quizzes, tests, and projects are completed online at the vhcentral.com website. This is an interactive communicative approach that focuses on real communication in meaningful contexts. The course continues to develop a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and viewing skills as well as their cultural competencies. Students will have the option to take the AP exam which is administered in May.

World Language Faculty

Dania Bartholomew

Bridget Carroll-Lewis

Jaqueline Carvalho-Sullivan

Mitchell DeLancy

Sabina DiCostanzo

Katherine Milositz

Olga Rivera

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