St Joseph School

I write this review before the school disappears forever from our collective memory. I was fortunate to attend St. Josephs from 1951 to 1958 with Dominicans still fully staffing. Desert virtually surrounded us my first 3 years; as we grew, the surrounding area grew with us. For many attending, it was within walking distance, definitely within cycling distance. The Dominican nuns ran the gamut of every humorous situation ascribed to Catholic schools and religious of the era. The students generally tried the infinite patience of the staff who tried the students.The famous khaki uniforms obtained from Ronzone's on Fremont street, made the students easy targets. The playground was 1.45 acres larger than many entire schools at the time. It may have been grassed prior to the eventual desolation to inexpensive dirt and rock. Grass stains ran a close second to torn pants with resulting scuffed knees often Mom's worst nightmares (uniforms were not inexpensive). Eventually, a cyclone fence enclosed the area securing us mostly from wandering animals; fortunately the times allowed many of us unbridled access to the town without fear of jeopardy at the hands of others.The teaching methods, strict manner of adherence to authority, and faith filled programs designed to bring awareness to the plights of others and the need to love and forgive your fellow students brought out the best of us over the ensuing years. Many of us may not have understood the lessons at the time, acting as typical children growing up. In later years, it was not lost, allowing many of us to blossom in High School, College and later years. The class size never exceeded 36. The spacious desks with flip up tops and inkwells, (yes, inkwells), provided room for books and other paraphernalia one attempted to hide from the teacher. Girls foolish enough to wear pigtails found them capable of quite wide writing. Cloakrooms (coatrooms as I discovered later in life) provided ample space for clothing and unruly students. The extended shelf provided space to store lunches which were constantly raided. Sharing this marvelous place with daughter and Grandson; my daughter before they tore down the convent and chapel, was a true time standing still experience after many years. It was one of the last bastions of untouched history capable of turning back the clock, bringing memories of yesteryear to surface immediately. God bless St. Jo's, all the students, and the precious Dominicans.

This school was CLOSED down at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Parents, teachers and students were notified the last week of school that they would not be open in the fall od 2013.

My brother and I attended St. Joseph's over 25 years ago! I have very fond memories of the 8 years I attended. I remember the small class sizes and the staff of long ago. I remember my classrooms, all my teachers, Collins Hall, Father McDonnell, the playground like it was yesterday.I remember the two twin sister nuns who worked in the front office. Ahhhh, memories. One first grade teacher I had way back then, still teaches there! That's awesome. It's cute to see they still do the Jog-a-thons and so many things we did back then. Way to go SJS for still going all these years later.

I am an alumni of St. Joseph's Catholic School and also Bishop Gorman St Joseph's was a wonderful School and I am glad I had the opportunity to go there.

We are thrilled to be part of such a warm, welcoming and wonderful school environment. The teachers, staff and principle have made my son's first year of school an amazing experience. We look forward to may more years at St. Joseph School.