Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQs are categorized as follows:



About the School

Q. When did Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy open?

A. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy opened in the fall of 2011 to 9th and 10th grade students. SJCA will add 11th grade in the 2012-2013 school year and 12th grade in 2013-2014.

Q. What will the size of the school be?

A. Saint Joseph's expects to welcome 150-200 students in its inaugural classes and grow to 400-500 students once it adds 11th and 12th grades.

Q. What academic calendar will Saint Joseph's follow?

A. Saint Joseph's will follow the academic calendar followed by Our Lady of Victory's Catholic School as closely as possible.

Q. Where is the school be located?

A. Saint Joseph's is located in the former Boalsburg Elementary/Harris Township High School building in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

Q. Is public transportation available?

A. Free busing is available for students residing in the State College, Bellefonte, Penns Valley, Huntingdon, Juniata Valley and Mifflin County school districts.



Upholding Catholic Traditions & Values

Q. Is Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy a truly Catholic school?

A. Yes. Saint Joseph's has been approved by Bishop Joseph V. Adamec of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona - Johnstown, and the pastors of the three largest parishes in the Centre Region - Our Lady of Victory, Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist - have expressed their support. Our curriculum has also been designed with the help of Sr. Donna Marie Leiden, director of education for the 24 Catholic schools in our Diocese.

Q. Do students attend Mass?

A. Yes. Saint Joseph's students are expected to attend school-sponsored Mass and participate in special religious services that will be offered according to the liturgical calendar.

Q. How did you choose the school's name?

A. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy chose its name to honor the patron saint of families and the Universal Church. We plan to have a statue of Saint Joseph welcoming students, faculty and visitors at the main entrance.

Q. Why State College?

A. Saint Joseph's wants to provide an opportunity for high school-aged children in the Centre Region to receive a quality education in a faith-based environment. Saint Joseph's will provide a structured academic experience that stresses strong moral values, thereby preparing students to venture into the world with clear sense of what is right.

Q. Why build a Catholic high school when I hear news about Catholic schools being closed?

A. While some urban Catholic elementary schools have been closed or consolidated because of families moving to suburban areas, there have actually been more than 370 new Catholic high schools built in the U.S. since 2000. There are also 2,534 Catholic schools with waiting lists.

Q. Is Saint Joseph's be open to students of other faiths?

A. Yes - like all other schools in our Diocese, Saint Joseph's is open to Catholic and non-Catholic students alike. While religion courses are an essential component of the curriculum, Saint Joseph's believes it must respect each person's commitment to his or her own faith. Nationally, the average of non-Catholics attending a Catholic High School is 20%.



Tuition & Financial Assistance

Q. What is the annual tuition?

A. Tuition for U.S. students is $6,500 per year; tuition for international students is $13,400.

Q. What costs does the annual tuition cover?

A. Tuition covers all student costs - textbooks and instructional supplies, library fees, student parking, etc. - except fees to participate in PIAA athletics.

Q. What types of tuition payment options are available?

A. Tuition payments can be made annually, biannually, quarterly or monthly over a 10- or 12-month period. Other payment arrangements can also be made in advance in consultation with the SJCA Administrative Office.

Q. Is my child eligible for tuition assistance?

A. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy believes that no child, regardless of his or her family's financial situation, should be denied a Catholic education. Every student attending Saint Joseph's will be eligible for tuition assistance.

Q. What types of tuition assistance are available?

A. Saint Joseph's offers need-based Financial Aid, with special consideration being given to families with multiple children attending Saint Joseph's or any of the Catholic elementary schools. Saint Joseph's also offers limited after-school/summer Work Study opportunities to students.

Q. How can my family apply for tuition assistance?

A. Families can apply through FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment, an independent agency that evaluates each family's financial circumstances and informs Saint Joseph's of each family's level of need. Applications can be completed online at www.factstuitionaid.com (preferred method); families can also obtain paper applications by contacting the SJCA Administrative Office.



Academics

Q. What is Saint Joseph's student/teacher ratio?

A. Saint Joseph's expects to maintain an approximately 12:1 student/teacher ratio.

Q. What type of curriculum does Saint Joseph's offer?

A. Saint Joseph's offers a college preparatory curriculum, with college prep, honors and advanced placement options available to students.

Q. What are the minimum graduation requirements?

A. In order to graduate, students must satisfactorily complete four-year sequences in Theology, English, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics; attain at least a third-year level in one World Language; complete a certain number of Health/Physical Education, Art/Music and elective credits; and complete at least 25 Christian Service hours per year with written reflection. Seniors also will be required to complete a service or academic project.

Q. What type of global experiences/study abroad opportunities does Saint Joseph's offer?

A. Saint Joseph's offers an exchange program, Christian service field study programs and study abroad opportunities that enable students to learn and serve in Canada and various European and Latin American countries.

Q. What if my child struggles with his/her studies?

A. The hallmark of Saint Joseph's educational experience is the individual attention given to our students. All students are monitored every four weeks on their academic progress. Intervention practices are in place to ensure that students who are struggling can address and overcome their academic frustrations.

Q. What steps does Saint Joseph's take to ensure the academic excellence of its program?

A. Saint Joseph's like all schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, will be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. All Saint Joseph's educators are also required to hold a college degree and be state certified in accordance with Diocesan regulations.



Extracurricular Sports & Activities

Q. Does Saint Joseph's offer extra-curricular sports and activities?

A. Saint Joseph's mission is to deliver a complete education that emphasizes the development of the heart, mind, soul and body. Athletics and a fully developed fine arts program are essential components for meeting that mission.

Q. What types of extra-curricular activities are offered?

A. Saint Joseph's offers an array of activities similar to those offered by other Catholic and public high schools in the area, including theater, band, choir, student government, academic competitions and other co-curricular clubs and activities.

Q. What types of sports are offered?

A. Saint Joseph's offers both individual and team sports. Individual sports include golf, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, dance, fencing, track and field, cross country and racquetball. Team sports include football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and lacrosse.

Q. Is Saint Joseph's a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)?

A. Yes, Saint Joseph's competes in PIAA-sponsored sports provided there are enough students to field a team in each particular sport. When there are not enough students to field a team, the coach will offer private instruction during the season with the possibility of playing a club/intramural schedule until team numbers increase.



Facilities

Q. What are the technological capabilities at SJCA?

A. The building is equipped with the latest hardware and wireless capabilities in a secure environment, thereby allowing Saint Joseph's to integrate technology fully into its curriculum.

Q. Are there long-term renovation/expansion plans?

A. Yes. Future plans call for the construction of a multi-use facility including a gymnasium with locker rooms, an auditorium, a weight room and concession area; additional classrooms; and administrative offices on the six-acre property.



Volunteering/Giving

Q. What are the goals of the school's $5.6 million capital campaign?

A. In addition to covering costs associated with purchasing ($750,000), renovating ($850,000) and expanding ($2.5 million) the property, Saint Joseph's hopes to secure $1 million for academic scholarships and another $500,000 to establish an endowment that provides ongoing support for the school. Any support provided beyond the $5.6 million goal will be applied toward the endowment.

Q. Why does Saint Joseph's need an endowment?

A. A strong endowment helps secure Saint Joseph's future. Interest generated from the endowment will help fund academic and operational needs and provide scholarship opportunities for students in perpetuity.

Q. Why should I contribute to the Saint Joseph's capital campaign if I don't have children in school?

A. A Catholic education has been recognized historically as being essential to our faith and providing a superior academic, athletic and moral development experience. Your participation will help advance this experience in the greater State College community and create additional opportunities beyond what tuition can provide.

Q. Are contributions to Saint Joseph's tax deductible?

A. Yes. Following the model of sister Catholic high schools in the area, Saint Joseph's has been accorded 501(c)(3) nonprofit status under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and is registered as a charitable organization with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All pledges to the school will be acknowledged as a tax deductible contribution at their fair market value.

Q. Is there more than one way to contribute to the capital campaign?

A. While one-time gifts of any size are certainly welcome and appreciated, there are other ways to contribute as well. A pledge period of up to five years pledge period is available to accommodate everyone's philanthropic efforts, and a strong Gifts-in-Kind Phase of the campaign will provide opportunities for participation beyond providing monetary support.

Q. Can I volunteer my time and talents as well?

A. Absolutely! Saint Joseph's is always in need of volunteers to reach out to others for financial support and to increase awareness about the academic, cultural and athletic experience a Saint Joseph's education will provide students. We are also in the process of forming a Parent Advisory Committee and would welcome volunteers. Please contact the SJCA Administrative Office if you are willing to serve in any capacity.



Contact Information

Q. How can I learn more about Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy?

A. E-mail us at admin@stjoeacad.org, call us at (814) 808-6118 or contact the SJCA Administrative Office.