Saint Joseph School a blend of academics, faith

Published in the June 27, 2018 edition

By GAIL LOWE

WAKEFIELD — The Saint Joseph School on Gould Street might be small in size, but when it comes to students’ education the school looms large.

During a recent meeting with Principal Dr. Joseph Sullivan and Administrator Alayne Flynn, it was revealed that the school is not only faith based but that the learning center is a place where the Golden Rule, according to the Gospel of Matthew 7:12, is both taught and followed.

“Our public examples of Christian values attract parents and children to our school and our parish,” said Dr. Sullivan. “The school day begins with prayers by our eighth grade students.

Throughout the day, student prayer life continues through snack time, lunch and at the close of the day.”

Dr. Sullivan said that each classroom provides students the tools they need to develop social skills, understanding and the meaning and value of teamwork, compassion and integrity, both socially and emotionally. The students are also engaged in teaching that fosters academic excellence.

Amy Lemieux, parent of a middle school student at the school and another son who has moved on to a high school in Cambridge, said that children thrive at Saint Joseph, including her own.

“My husband and I are both products of public schools, including college, and we were looking for a school that would be a good fit for our schedules,” said Lemieux. “Saint Joseph offered what we needed, even in pre-school. We were blown away by the sense of community at the school. That gets lost in a large school system.”

Nearly half (45 percent) of the students enrolled at Saint Joseph School are Wakefield residents. The remainder come from Saugus, Reading, Stoneham, Lynnfield, North Reading, Wilmington and Billerica. In total, there are 200 students.

The school, accredited by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.) offers an early childhood program for ages 2.9 through age 5 with flexible days and hours plus full-day kindergarten through grade 8. The older students, said Dr. Sullivan, mentor the younger ones.

With 23 teachers and the low student count (approximately 15 children to each class), teachers have more time to spend one-on-one. Due to demand, there are plans to expand the pre-school by one additional class inside an adjacent building purchased in 2010 from the Sisters of Notre Dame. Currently, there are four pre-school classes.

In addition to core subjects such as English language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, the school also focuses on developing leadership and team skills, public speaking and moral decision making, enabling students to think, act and communicate effectively.

“These experiences enable our students to overcome problems to reach their goals,” commented Dr. Sullivan. “Our mission is to teach students to use their minds well to successfully navigate their emerging world.”

On the academic end, students leave Saint Joseph after completing eighth grade fluent in Spanish.

Parents are welcomed and encouraged to become actively engaged in all facets of their child’s education by partnering with faculty.

“We are partners with parents,” said Dr. Sullivan. “We have parents who are carpenters or computer specialists. They use their talents and skills to benefit their children and the school.” As an example, Dr. Sullivan mentioned the WiFi system that is now up and running. He also pointed out a security system set up on an office computer that shows every entry way in real time. The work involved was handled by parents.

“Our security system is tight, thanks to the Wakefield Police and Fire departments and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Everyone on staff is ‘Alice’ trained,” he said, in reference to the ALICE acronym (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate). Instructor-led classes provide preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event.

Dr. Sullivan said that back-and-forth communication with parents is both fluid and key to a student’s success. The school publishes a newsletter that keeps parents current on what is happening at the school as well as a Web site they can visit.

“Everything and everyone is nicely connected,” he commented.

Students in grades 4 through 8 volunteer regularly at area nursing homes and senior centers as groups and individuals throughout the year, evangelizing by their example, said Dr. Sullivan.

“Our students raise funds for the needy, food supplies for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry and Mission of Deeds. They also donate coats to the homeless,” he said.

Each student is required to perform 40 hours of community service every year. As a school, students participate in town events such as the Holiday Stroll in December and Festival Italia in August.

Following graduation, students continue their education at schools like Bishop Fenwick High School, Malden Catholic, Austin Preparatory School and St. John’s Preparatory School. Others attend their local public high schools.

And after high school graduation, students move on to higher learning institutions such as West Point, the Naval Academy and other prestigious academic settings.

But for these students, their educational foundation is rooted at Saint Joseph School.

“A big piece of this is that the education team knows our kids,” said Lemieux, adding that the school is about love and acceptance.

Dr. Sullivan concurred. “We often hear from parishioners, visitors to the school and the public about how impressed they are with our students. Anyone who comes in contact with one of our students, or simply observes them, expresses delight with their respectful social skills and gentle caring for each other. It’s something you don’t find in other schools.”

“The education team says ‘God bless you’ no matter who you are,” said Lemieux. “We are incredibly blessed to have this school.”

For more information about Saint Joseph School, visit www.stjosephschoolwakefield.org or call 781-245-2081.