St. Joseph’s Catholic School celebrates 10 years

Margaret Ann Moon, board of trustees chair at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and Bishop Robert J. Baker, formerly of the Diocese of Charleston, signed documents signifying the recognition of the school by the diocese in 2000. (Photo Provided)

Margaret Ann Moon, board of trustees chair at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and  Bishop Robert J. Baker, formerly of the Diocese of Charleston, signed documents signifying the recognition of the school by the diocese in 2000. (Photo Provided)GREENVILLE—St. Joseph’s Catholic School celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. As they prepare for the future, school officials took a moment to look back on some of their accomplishments.

Among the 466 graduates, many have returned as teachers in Catholic schools, one is a priest, two are in the priest formation program for the diocese, and four are actively discerning the priesthood, according to a press release.
The school reported that 10 students — seven young men and three young women — are in the process of determining their vocations. St. Joseph’s also has a former guidance counselor who is a postulant with the Sisters of Life.

As part of the school stewardship program, youth are active participants in five Upstate parishes; 57 local ministries, including Catholic Charities; life issues, including support of Birthright and annual participation in the March for Life, the S.C. Rally for Life at the statehouse, the Life Chain, and the 40 Days for Life Rosary Campaign.

Father Dwight Longenecker’s presence on campus makes it possible for the school to offer daily Mass, weekly eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation, Advent and Lenten days of reflection, class retreats, and an annual summer mission trip to El Salvador.

St. Joseph’s has 544 students enrolled, with 305 in the high school and 239 in the middle school.

The school is developing the facility to educate a maximum of 704 students, according to the press release. Over 40 percent of families receive some form of tuition assistance raised through an annual fund, totaling more than $500,000 per year.

St. Joseph’s joined the S.C. High School League in all sports, including its first season of varsity football, and made $500,000 in enhancements to the gymnasium and football and soccer field.

School officials report that planning has begun for $1 million in capital improvements in 2011, including classrooms for art, music and dance, a computer lab, lecture hall for 125 students, a kitchen and expanded cafeteria seating. Plans to build the final high school classrooms and an art complex are being prepared for the start of the 2014-15 school year.