About Us
St. Joseph Catholic School is a welcoming, community-based school. We work closely with families and our parish to foster a supportive, faith-filled learning environment.
Academic and Specialized Programs
We offer:
8 regular classes, including two full-day Kindergarten classes.
1 Special Education class for students with additional needs.
Programs for students with Learning Disabilities, Multiple Exceptionalities, and Language Impairments.
A Junior Language Intervention Program to support language development.
Instruction is tailored to meet individual learning styles, language needs, and social development, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities
We offer a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular programs, including:
House Leagues
Soccer
Volleyball
Softball
Cross-Country
Track and Field
Choir
Drama
Peer Tutoring, where older students mentor younger peers to build confidence and self-esteem
Our music education includes vocal and instrumental:
Vocal music for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.
Instrumental music for Grades 6 to 8.
Safety and Student Well-Being
We prioritize a safe and caring environment through:
A Safe Arrival Program that contacts families if a student is absent without notice.
Health and safety education from staff, public health nurses, and local police.
A Code of Behaviour developed collaboratively with parents, staff, and students.
School History
St. Joseph Catholic School has deep roots in the Leslieville community, dating back to its founding in 1863 as a combined church and school. At that time, it was part of St. Paul Parish. In 1878, St. Joseph Parish was officially established, marking a new chapter in the school’s development.
A two-room brick school was built in 1871 on land owned by the Archdiocese of Toronto, stretching from Curzon Street to Leslie Street. As the community grew, so did the school. In 1904, a new four-room building was constructed on Leslie Street, just north of St. Joseph Church. Over the years—specifically in 1912, 1916, 1952, and 1973—the school underwent several renovations and expansions to meet the needs of its students.
In 1962, a new building was constructed on Curzon Street, about 100 metres south of the church, with a major addition added in 1973. While this building is no longer used by the school, it is now rented out for other purposes.
A significant milestone came in 2000, when St. Joseph welcomed students from Corpus Christi, St. Ann, and St. William Catholic Schools following their closure. Since the 2000–2001 school year, all students have been taught at the Leslie Street location, continuing the school’s long-standing tradition of faith-based education and community connection.