Military Families

Saint Joseph Catholic School Welcomes Military Families

The Columbia area is home to three major military bases in the Columbia area — Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base, and McEntire Joint National Guard Base — and we are fortunate to welcome families from all of those bases here at Saint Joseph. We offer a supportive environment with faculty who are cognizant of the blessings and challenges of the lives of military families.

We try our best to offer a smooth transition to families moving to the Columbia area. Our Admissions Officer, Kerry Reedy, is happy to help families with questions about Saint Joseph and the surrounding midlands community. We welcome mid-year enrollment for students and can offer assistance in requesting academic records from previous schools. If you would like to meet other military families at our school, we would love to help you make those connections.

We know many military families may not be able to travel to Columbia and tour our school in person, so we created a Virtual Tour Video so you can visit from afar. If you are in the area, we would love to take you on a personalized tour to show you why we may be the perfect choice for your family. Contact Kerry Reedy for scheduling. kreedy@stjosdevine.com Here is a little more information about our location and Columbia.

We are proud of our involvement in the midlands military community. Our 5th grade classes have benefited from a weeklong STEM field trip to McEntire Joint National Guard Base each spring for decades. We hold an annual Veterans Day Prayer Service to honor all active duty, reserve, and veteran military members of our school community. We often send cards of thanks and encouragement to veterans at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia. We welcome military family members to share information about their careers each year during our Career Day.

We are so grateful for the sacrifice and service of all military personnel and their families, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Saint Joseph family.

A Purple Star School

Purple Star Program
Saint Joseph Catholic School is proud be recognized as a Purple Star School, and the first private school in the state to receive this prestigious designation. The Purple Star School program is an initiative that honors schools for their outstanding commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.

This designation reflects our deep dedication to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for students whose families serve in the military. At Saint Joseph Catholic School, we understand the unique challenges faced by military families, from frequent relocations to the emotional demands of deployment. As a Purple Star School, we have developed a comprehensive support system that includes specialized training for our staff, accessible resources for families, and programs that foster a sense of community, continuity, and belonging for military-connected students.

Guided by our core values of Inspiring Minds, Living Faith, and Building Character, Saint Joseph Catholic School is committed to nurturing well-rounded students who excel academically, grow spiritually, and develop strong moral character. The Purple Star designation is a testament to our dedication to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students. We are passionate about helping military-connected children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed, no matter where their journey takes them.
We are honored to be recognized for our efforts and will continue to work diligently to support the military families within our community. At Saint Joseph Catholic School, we stand with those who serve our country and are dedicated to ensuring that their children receive the highest level of care, education, and support to inspire minds, live faith, and build character.