About Us

For over 125 years, families have partnered with SJPS to provide their children with an educational advantage. Students experience academic rigor that is competitive and aligned with the national and state standards, but our approach goes beyond just academics. SJPS students are expected to reach for higher standards in character, service and faith, becoming not just individuals with tools of the mind but tools of the conscience and heart. Our foundation in Christian principles provides the structure for our well-established behavioral and social guidelines that promote a culture of kindness, compassion and peace. The framework of smaller class sizes develops close, supportive and authentic bonds with teachers and peers. Extracurricular activities and mentoring of younger students by upperclassmen promote compassion and confidence while the entire school family cheers on. The end result is a student who is well-rounded and better prepared not just for high school, but for life — and more.

 

St. Joseph Parish School, located in growing Grafton, Wisconsin, is home to 127 students, ranging from K3 to 8th grade.

We welcome your visit to our website and hope that the information is helpful to you whether you are already part of our school family, or are looking to become a member of a great school community!

For additional information, please contact us by phone at 262.375.6505 or by e-mail at schooloffice@stjosephgrafton.org

St. Joseph School Hours
Classes in session:
8:15 am – 3:15 pm
Supervision on playground begins:
8:00 am
Extended Care available from:
6:30 am – 6:00 pm

Our Mission Statement
Teaching, learning, leading and serving as the hands of Christ.

School Committee

St. Joseph Parish School is an educational community that welcomes collaboration.  The School Committee functions as an advisory board to the current principal, and meets monthly to discuss educational programming, growth and the overall strategic plan of the school.  The School Committee is comprised of parents that represent students at all ages from the Early Childhood classrooms to the Middle School.  Parents are always welcome to attend any School Committee Meeting at any time, even if they are unable to fulfill a role on the board.  If you would like to discuss a topic at a meeting, please contact the main office, so the chair of the committee can reserve you adequate time on the agenda and tell you when the next meeting is to take place.

Home & School

St. Joseph Parish School is a community that thrives on involvement.  The Home & School Association is a parent-based organization that serves the school community by fund-raising, sponsoring, event-planning and organizing activities throughout the year which benefit the overall sense of belonging and foster a sense of closeness among families.  Each family is encouraged to participate in the Home & School Association in order to set an example of service for their children and support the school’s goals for development of those values.  The Home & School Association is sensitive to the fact that each family differs in scheduling and responsibilities, so the leaders of our Association work diligently to help families find a place where they feel included and empowered, but not overburdened.  Please reach out to our Home & School Association if you have any questions or have a unique skill set which you believe your family could find fulfilling in making the St. Joseph Parish School a continued success!

Principal's Welcome

Welcome to St. Joseph Parish School – a faith-based family environment dedicated to serving the Grafton community and beyond since 1890. Our mission at St. Joseph Parish School is to teach, learn, lead and serve as the hands of Christ. We make this evident the moment you walk in the door.

 

At St. Joseph Parish School, we are dedicated to the faith-formation of our students and faculty. Being the Hands of Christ, service is an integral part of our daily lives at SJPS. We take our learning beyond the classroom walls to participate in outreach opportunities throughout the community. We prepare our students to be positive global citizens and teach them the skills to better serve others.

 

It is our goal at SJPS to provide all of our learners with an exceptional education that is grounded in faith. We recognize that every student is an individual with unique gifts from God. We positively nurture the individual child in order to grow his or her potential to become one’s best self.

 

Thank you for your interest in St. Joseph Parish School. We hope that what you see on our website will inspire you to come check us out. Here you will see a family of learners working together to solve problems, learn new concepts and develop the skills needed to navigate our ever-changing society.

 

Please come visit and observe our warm, caring and child-centered school that has been created through positive relationships among faculty, staff, parents and community members alike. Tours are available daily and can be scheduled by calling the office at 262-375-6505. Come see the hands of Christ in action!

Sincerely,

Amanda Matthews, Principal

Statement from Parish Director

Welcome! Click through this site, and then step through our doors….you will find a school:

  • Where our students are equally at ease on a chromebook, as they are reading a book;
  • Where our faculty navigate smart boards, and their students’ futures;
  • Where academics are superior, and outreach to others is paramount;
  • Where parents and parishioners provide support, and their time;
  • Where community, faith, prayer, and sacrament are foundational to all we are and do!

I interact daily with our school children and faculty, and can attest to the fact that God is at work in their lives, gently leading and guiding their development. I am proud of our exemplary parish school and all who work daily to support its mission. I invite you to join us on this journey!

Together in Christ,
Brenda Cline
Parish Director

History

Catholic education of the children of immigrant families became a necessity in the 1880’s. Many parents were educated in Europe but their children had not received formal education here. In 1890, St. Joseph Congregation felt it a necessity to build a school for the children of the parish. A layman, who was referred to as the schoolmaster, taught in the one room school. In 1908, Father William Peil, was appointed pastor. He was a strong believer in Catholic education and encouraged the congregation to remodel the school. He also was influential in arranging to have a teaching order of sisters come to St. Joseph. In 1909, before the opening of the school year, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi took on St. Joseph parish as its mission. In 1917, discussion for a new school began, but funds were somewhat of a problem. At the annual meeting of 1921, the structural arrangement of the building was discussed. It was decided then to begin construction as soon as possible. Farmers brought their horses to help carry out the ground. It took three weeks for excavation and about a week to backfill. The bricks were made of native limestone from the lime kilns south of the village (now Lime Kiln Park). To make room for the new school, the original church was torn down and many of the stones were used in the foundation of the new building. In the spring of 1922, the school was dedicated by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer. The 1950’s brought a wave of increased enrollment. During this era it was quite common to have 50 or more students in a classroom. Due to the sizable growth of the parish, parishioners voted to build a new 8-room school and gym in 1956. The old school building continued to be used until 1975, when it was demolished. In 1986, money was donated by an anonymous donor, to help finance the opening of a four and five-year old kindergarten. In 2005, a three-year old kindergarten was added as well. In 2000, the parish and school underwent another addition adding new offices, classrooms, gathering space in the church, and connecting the school, church, and rectory into one building.