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St. Joseph Catholic School
Prepares Its Students for
College and Beyond
Terry R. Cassreino
Ava Kathryn Stephen officially became a St. Joseph Catholic School
alumna in May, but she was still at school this summer finishing the 2023
edition of the school yearbook.
While friends prepared for their first semester at college, Stephen
said her high school experience, and six years as a St. Joe student, were so
important that she wanted to finish what she started. Stephen is co-editor
of The Shield yearbook.
“St. Joe has done so much for me,” said Stephen, who was a member of
the award-winning dance team the Spirit Steppers, served as senior class
president, and chaired the annual BruinTHON event that raised $19,665
for Batson Children’s Hospital. “I’ve learned so much from my time here
that I wanted to make sure my last project, the yearbook, was done right,” she
said. “Being able to participate in everything I did helped shape who I am.
And that’s not just me. Others who graduated this year feel the same way.”
St. Joseph Catholic School, founded in 1870 by the Sisters of Mercy,
offers seventh- through 12th-grade students of all faith backgrounds a
rigorous college prep curriculum grounded in the teachings of the Catholic
Church.
St. Joe, at 308 New Mannsdale Road in Madison, just west of the
Interstate 55 and Mississippi 463 interchange, is accredited by the Mid-South
Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools – the accrediting arm of Cognia.
Life at St. Joe revolves around faith and religion. Students in every
grade take theology courses. Every class begins with prayer. Every grade
level participates in one annual, off-campus retreat. Students, faculty, and
staff attend weekly Mass every Thursday.
St. Joe’s college prep curriculum includes classes in English, math,
science, history, fine arts, Spanish, Latin and theology. Students also can
take advanced placement classes in English, Spanish, math, and history as
well as dual credit courses in English and math.
Electives include band, choir, art, ceramics, theater, engineering, print
journalism, broadcast journalism, and sports broadcasting.
Besides academic classes, St. Joe offers students a chance to participate
in more than 20 team sports including football, volleyball, softball,
baseball, swimming, track, cross country, clay shooting, girls’ and boys’
basketball, and girls’ and boys’ soccer.
All sports teams compete in the Midsouth Association of Independent
Schools. This will mark the third year that St. Joe has joined other
Catholic schools in the Jackson Diocese as a member of the MAIS.
“St. Joe offers students a complete, comprehensive, college prep education
experience with strong academics and the ability to play a wide range of
sports,” said Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School.
“We are a Catholic school, but we welcome all students of all faith
traditions,” Kinsey said. “St. Joe graduates students who are ready for the
challenge of college and life as an adult. We educate the whole student,
preparing them for their lifelong journey to Christ.”
Besides academics and athletics, St. Joe students, faculty, and staff also
participate in community outreach projects throughout the year – from
feeding families at Thanksgiving and Christmas to hosting blood drives
and raising money for Batson Children’s Hospital.
In fact, the 2023 edition of St. Joe’s annual BruinTHON fundraiser
– the school’s largest annual community outreach event led by students
– raised a record $19,665 in April for Batson Children’s Hospital in
Jackson.
Students, faculty, and staff also annually participate in food drives to
replenish local food banks. And last year, art students created and sold
hand-crafted ceramic crosses with proceeds helping the people of
Ukraine.
Fine arts students stage two live theatrical productions every year in
the 500-seat, state-of-the-art school auditorium. Last year, St. Joe
produced the stage version of the popular film “A Christmas Story” in the
fall and the musical “Footloose” in the spring.
Student musicians and singers perform a Christmas concert “Gifts of
the Season” in December and a spring concert in May.
Students in the award-winning journalism program produce a weekly
video newscast and live radio and streaming video coverage of Bruin
athletics. They also produce an award-winning yearbook, which Stephen
and other students were finishing this summer.
“Being part of the St. Joseph yearbook staff as a co-editor allowed me
to grow into a leader who thrives on capturing moments that matter,” said
Ashmit Malhotra, who graduated in May and will study journalism this
fall at the University of Mississippi.
“It also taught me the importance of effective communication,
meticulous planning, and motivating and guiding a team to greatness.
This, and all of my experiences at St. Joe, have helped prepare me for
college and beyond.”
Hometown MADISON • 69