Credo:  As Catholic School Educators, we believe St. Joseph School is not only a school, but a community of Faith; we believe those entrusted to us are not only students, but children of God; we believe we are not only educators, but Ministers of Gospel; we believe the values we teach are not only character development, but a call to Holiness; we believe our courses of study are not only academic pursuits, but a search for Truth; we believe the purpose of education is not only for personal gain and the development of society, but for the Transformation of the world.

Mission Statement:  Guided by the Holy Spirit, St. Joseph Catholic School accepts the mission to help students model the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives.  Through the use of their talents and God-given gifts, students will learn to serve God and others.  Christ is the reason for this school, the ever-present teacher in its classes, the model of its faculty, and the inspiration of its students.

Our School:   St. Joseph Catholic School is the oldest elementary school in continuous operation in Maumee, Ohio.  Known for its academic excellence and small class sizes in its Catholic Christian environment, the school is supported by strong parental and faith community involvement. There are both active, extensive sports and scout programs available.

The school building consists of 18 classrooms, administrative offices, faculty lounge, music room, up-to-date computer lab, science lab, art room, library/media center, gym, community center/cafeteria.  An Auxiliary Modular Unit, which houses all ASP personnel who specialize in math, reading, speech, and language tutoring and a nurse's clinic. Approximately 190 children are served by a dedicated staff of over 40 teachers, administrators, and support personnel.St. Joseph's School is made up of people who care.  They care about God, themselves, and others.  It is that feeling that makes St. Joseph's School stand out as a community of Christian commitment.

St. Joseph offers bus transportation for students in Maumee, Waterville, Whitehouse, Monclova, Perrysburg, Grand Rapids, Springfield and other areas. It also accepts students placed on waiting lists at other area Catholic and private schools.

School Hours : 9:00 am - 3:15 pm

History of St. Joseph School by: Mrs. Pat Dickey
"A Catholic School would develop a staunch, well formed educated Catholic," so with this in mind, Fr. Nicholaus Rupp (with his own funds and own hands) in 1856 built St. Joseph Catholic School - a one room, wooden building that stood across the street from the present school.  From then until now the school has been four different buildings.  One building was thought to have been a saloon originally.  Even after the present building was built in 1913, and as the parish grew and enrollment increased, changes and additions were made (i.e. the former third grades, up and down, were added); then in the early 1950s, a large addition was made adding the current second and third grade hallways, the annex of the school to the church, a large, main floor kitchen, a large eating area in the basement, and the auditorium was enlarged.  Later, the next addition was the seventh and eight grade wing; and finally the gym and community center were added in 1975. 

As World War II Baby Boomers entered school, there was an explosion of enrollment.  In 1972, there were 792 students in the school with ten Sisters and eight lay teachers.  During this time of growth, Msgr. Gallagher wanted all "his kids" in St. Joe's School.  This meant that the parish owned several buses to solve this problem.The personnel of the school changed considerably throughout the years.  The first and only teacher in the one room school was Mr. James Molong.  Then in 1882, three nuns from the newly formed Franciscans of Tiffin came to teach.  In 1892, the Sisters of Notre Dame from Cleveland came to teach; however, in 1904 their house was needed for a school, so they had no place to live, nor could they commute the distance.  At this time, the Ursulines came to teach; they commuted to Toledo daily.  With the construction of the present school building in 1913, the Notre Dame Sisters returned as they were able to live in the school building (you can still see evidence in the fifth grade classrooms).  The Notre Dame Sisters stayed at St. Joe's until 1996.  Principles and teaching staff from then on have been lay.With Fr. Rupp's reasons in mind, it would be interesting to know the effects on all the lives that have been touched by the students and staff of this wonderful school in the last 150 years. 

Faith & Worship:  Attending Mass as a school is extremely important at St. Joseph School.  The students and staff regularly attend Mass as a family, and provide extensive and continuous faith development and religion instruction. Clearly, the most comprehensive education your child can receive is here at St. Joseph School, where every developmental need of your child's growth and education will be met. All School Masses are held more than once a month and on all Holy Days

An Ode To St. Joseph's Church    by: Paul J. Morris
Her story was started long ago in 1841: A parish formed to worship God, through His only Son.  They came from many countries, too many to recall.  Their descendants are here with us, still standing proud and tall.  St. Joseph's - may you always be a sign to all the people: God lives in Maumee.For their children they opened a school in 1855.  To teach them the three R's, and keep their heritage alive.  God bless their parents and teachers, who love them day by day.  They're called St. Joseph's Carpenters and many more are on the way. Her people work the lands and swamps with names from A to Z.  They opened a parish cemetery in 1873.  Of those of us still living, may it always be said: St. Joseph's remembers her people, she cares for he dead. 

For their worship they opened a new church in 1888.  And the fire of 1933 could not seal her fate.  Charred timbers are in her attic but her beauty we still see: a sacred place to worship in the City of Maumee.

Contact: Webmaster
©2008 St. Joseph Catholic School. All Rights Reserved