Academics & Support

Saint Joseph Catholic School strives to ensure that our students’ academic experience combines traditional instruction with cutting edge teaching techniques. We seek opportunities to engage diverse teaching strategies, as well as creative tools and technologies, in order to create an environment where children are excited about learning. If you visit our classrooms, you will see a combination of whole class instruction, small group collaboration, and one on one learning.

Special projects, small group exercises, hands-on activities, public speaking opportunities, and field trips are utilized on a regular basis to enhance the learning experience. At Saint Joseph Catholic School, our faculty members use a differentiated instructional approach, offering enrichment to those students who excel in certain subject areas, while giving extra time to those who require additional assistance. The teachers employ formative assessment strategies to ensure that they are evaluating the students’ knowledge on an on-going basis, and not just at the end of units or grading periods. Our approach to all the subject areas reflect this differentiated methodology.

We follow the curriculum guidelines set forth by the Diocese of Charleston. Click HERE for specific information broken down by grade and subject area.

GOOD NEWS: Saint Joseph Excels in Academics – Read more

Enrichment Classes

In addition to academics, it is important for our students to have instruction in art, music, physical education, guidance, technology, and Spanish. These classes are geared toward providing children with exposure to the various disciplines and to build on basic skills that are introduced in the early years. Our goal is for our students to leave us after sixth grade with a depth and breadth of knowledge in each of these areas that prepares them for middle school and beyond.

Academic Support

Saint Joseph Catholic School believes that every child is unique. We strive to support each child to develop to his/her fullest potential. Students are given assistance in understanding their own unique learning preferences. Teachers utilize a variety of differentiated teaching methods to engage the students throughout the day.

We endeavor to meet the needs of all learners and realize that some students have more unique challenges than others. When a student demonstrates academic challenges, our teachers and administrators collaborate with parents to develop a course of action designed to enhance student success.

Our program is designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all of our students. Eligible students receive accommodations specifically selected to enhance his/her learning experience. Some of our offerings include: individual and small group instruction; peer mentor assistance; printed teacher notes; extended time; preferential seating; differentiated assignments; oral administration of tests; computer-based instruction; and behavior modification plans.

The Student Support Services program at Saint Joseph Catholic School includes a special education teacher who works with students, parents, and teachers to aid those who require accommodations and have an assistance plan in attaining success in the general education classroom. This program includes students receiving a scholarship through Exceptional SC. In order to accommodate the needs of all students at all stages of learning, we will limit the number of students who receive these services. This limit will vary by grade level and slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Saint Joseph School is committed to growing each child to their fullest potential as we develop the next generation of Catholic leaders. Our program firmly believes in the words spoken by George Evans “Every student can learn. Just not on the same day or in the same way.” Should you have further questions about our program, please contact our Director of Student Support, Heath Edwards (Hedwards@stjosdevine.com).

Click HERE for more information about Exceptional SC.

St. Thomas Aquinas Gifted Scholars Program

“Schools serve us, when they aim not to drill, but to create; when they gather from far every ray of various genius…and set the hearts of their youth on flame.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saint Joseph Catholic School launched the St. Thomas Aquinas Gifted Scholars Program in the 2025-26 school year to support children with advanced abilities. The program provides rigorous and appropriately challenging coursework in a risk-free environment, allowing students the opportunity to nurture their problem-solving and reasoning skills without fear of failure. Students meet once a week for the enrichment pull-out classes, enabling them to make continuous academic progress through individual and group project-based learning. Saint Joseph Catholic School utilizes CogAT and MAP testing to identify gifted students, adhering to standards based on the South Carolina Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented Best Practices Guidelines. Should you have further questions about our program, do not hesitate to get in touch with our Gifted and Talented Teacher, Mrs. Hilary Wilson, at hwilson@stjosdevine.com.

Intervention Block

Saint Joseph Catholic School has implemented a 30-minute Response to Intervention (RTI) block in ELA and math four days a week. This dedicated time allows teachers to provide more targeted instruction, support, and enrichment based on the individual needs of all students.  During the RTI block, students may work with an interventionist, enrichment teacher, special education teacher, classroom teacher, or other instructional staff member based on their current academic needs.

Students who remain with their classroom teachers are also receiving purposeful, targeted instruction.  Teachers may use the block for small-group instruction, review, reinforcement, additional practice, or extension of grade-level skills.

Because intervention and enrichment groups reduce the regular classroom to approximately one-half to two-thirds of its typical size, teachers can provide more individualized attention and respond more precisely to student needs. A student may need additional support in one skill while being ready for greater challenge in another, and the RTI structure gives teachers greater flexibility to provide both.

Most importantly, RTI groups are flexible and based on current student needs rather than permanent labels. As students grow and their needs change, their instructional support can change as well.

The goal of the RTI block is simple: to create protected time during the school day to meet students where they are and help every student continue to grow. Students who need additional support receive it, students ready for greater challenge receive it, and all students benefit from smaller groups and more focused instruction.

Intervention 

Students who need additional support in ELA or math may receive targeted small-group intervention up to four days per week. Intervention groups are flexible and may change throughout the year based on assessment data, classroom performance, testing results, teacher observations, and student progress. This targeted support helps students strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, and grow as readers and mathematicians.

Enrichment

Students performing at a high level may receive targeted reading and/or math enrichment two to three times per week. These flexible groups provide opportunities for greater challenge, creativity, and higher-level thinking and will be reviewed quarterly based on current student data.  Participation in enrichment does not guarantee placement in a future enrichment session or qualification for the STAGS program. Student performance and assessment data are reviewed regularly to determine eligibility.