Academy Of St. Joseph

My son was one of the first graduating class at The Academy of Saint Joseph. He always said that one of the best things about the school were the friendships that he made while he was there. And I agree with him. My son started going to The Academy of St. Joseph in 6th Grade and the school has been like an extended family. It is a wonderful community ---small and intimate---which is rare in New York City. My other child started when she was in kindergarten. She is now in 2nd Grade and absolutely adores going to the school.

AOSJ has done a wonderful job welcoming our family. They have a fully differentiated curriculum, which allows them to meet students where they are and push them to their highest potential without separating them from their social peers. They don't have a gifted program, per se, but so far they've kept our 99th percentile 3rd grader on his toes! They also truly follow the Catholic mission of reaching out to those on the margins by welcoming students with special needs, with or without an IEP from the DoE. (If you don't know what that is, you're lucky!) They truly treat each child as an individual, give primacy to the parents as primary educators and work with them to ensure each child's needs are met. The administration is excellent! Parents and students alike know what to expect and what is expected of them. We are so blessed to have a Head of School with vision, practical skills, and the demeanor of your favorite teacher. And on top of all that, they are a diverse community that despite its small size has avoided becoming cliquish. We were welcomed warmly, made friends quickly, and fit in without having to play a part. AOSJ is a place where being unique is a virtue.Also, though the statistics say students of color make up 30% of the student body, it's worth taking into account that many families have one or more parent from another country, which isn't measured on this school profile. The diversity of the school is wonderful! From a student body of 110, more than 30 different countries were represented at International Day. Differences in language, family structure, culture, etc. are embraced. AOSJ is a place where being unique is a virtue.

AOSJ provides an excellent education in an environment that is small enough to allow for individualized student attention. Teachers and parents remain in close communication throughout the school year. The AOSJ community is a warm and inviting group, focused on the best interests of the children.

The Academy is a wonderful, warm, caring environment with rigorous academic standards. The school really caters to the whole child. The teachers encourage students to perform well academically, while fostering in each student the personal responsibility and deep commitment to the community, both at the school and beyond. We couldn`t be happier.

As a native New Yorker who attended both parochial and independent catholic schools in the city, I am well aware that our family has found an educational gem in the Academy of Saint Joseph. Expectations run high, but each child's potential is individually cultivated by the dedicated faculty. The Head of the School is a visionary educator and her door is always open. This school is truly a rare find that strives to develop the whole child--intellectually, physically and spiritually with a challenging academic program, a first-rate athletic program that is likely unrivaled in similar small-school environments, and an emphasis on each student's responsibility to the community at large. I just wish they had a high school!