ST JOSEPH SCHOOL
ABOUT US
Saint Joseph High School
Our Mission
At Saint Joseph School, we are dedicated to nurturing young minds and hearts in the spirit of the Gospel. We foster Catholic values, inspire academic excellence, and cultivate a sense of global responsibility, while guiding our students to lead lives of service and compassion.
Our average class size is 15 students, allowing for a range of 11 to 23 students per class. This fosters a close-knit learning environment where each student is known and supported.
At Saint Joseph High School, our student handbook is thoughtfully designed to create an environment where every student can thrive. While it may feel structured, the guidelines are in place to minimize distractions and encourage a respectful, focused learning atmosphere. By setting clear expectations, we’re able to remove unnecessary boundaries between students, allowing them to concentrate fully on their growth, studies, and faith. The handbook is less about restrictions and more about building a positive, supportive community where each student feels valued and able to succeed.
Choosing a school is a personal decision, and we understand that every family has unique needs and values. Saint Joseph High School is deeply rooted in Catholic principles, offering a faith-based education that prioritizes academic excellence, character development, and a sense of community. However, we warmly welcome families from all faith backgrounds. Our approach focuses on instilling respect, compassion, and integrity in every student, helping them grow academically and personally.
If you’re looking for an environment where your child can receive a well-rounded education, be challenged academically, and build strong moral values, then Saint Joseph High School may be a wonderful fit for your family. We’d love to connect with you to explore if our school aligns with your goals and hopes for your child’s education.
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
FAITH & MORAL CHARACTER
For over 140 years, Saint Joseph School has been a beacon of Catholic education in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Our strong Catholic identity truly sets us apart, shaping our students into Christian leaders who carry their faith and values into the world. Through a foundation of faith, a commitment to moral character, and a heart for service, we prepare our students to be lifelong followers of Christ, dedicated to making a positive impact on their communities.
At Saint Joseph School, our foremost goal is to help shape saints. We are committed to guiding each student toward a personal encounter with Jesus Christ (cf. John 1:38-39), fostering a deep and enduring relationship with Him. Our curriculum emphasizes prayer, scripture, and Church teachings, allowing students to grow profoundly in their faith. Opportunities to participate in the Sacraments, such as weekly Mass and regular penance services, help nurture their spiritual lives.
From their earliest years in preschool through to eighth grade, our students are taught the importance of building a strong moral character (cf. Mt 7:24-25). We encourage them to grow in virtue with every action, both in the classroom and beyond. Our teachers guide students in forming well-developed consciences and values systems, instilling discipline and integrity through academic challenges, extracurricular involvement, and daily interactions.
Inspired by the Gospel, we are driven to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only” (Ja 1:22). At Saint Joseph School, faith is lived out through acts of service, encouraging students to give of themselves in ways that extend beyond their comfort zones. Whether through service projects, community activities, guest speakers, or field trips, our students learn to be young men and women for others, letting their faith shine brightly through their actions.
Living faithfully to Jesus Christ is at the heart of our mission. Our Catholic identity guides us as we help students and teachers alike live out Christ’s commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). By embracing Christ, practicing their faith authentically, and leading by example, our students and the entire school community embody the light of Christ (Mt. 5:16), illuminating the world around them.
Part of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Saint Joseph School is one of 24 Catholic schools within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, where we are dedicated to developing the whole child to live as Christ taught us. Our Catholic elementary schools provide a strong academic foundation essential for success in secondary and higher education. To learn more about the Diocese’s commitment to Catholic education, we invite you to visit the Department of Catholic Schools website.
At Saint Joseph School, we are not just educating minds; we are forming hearts in faith, character, and service. Join us in our mission to inspire the next generation of faithful, compassionate leaders.
SCHOOL HISTORY
TRADITION & Innovation
Saint Joseph School has a rich history that began on September 4, 1883, when the Daughters of Charity from Emmitsburg, Maryland, founded the school in a two-story wooden building with four classrooms on East Stephen Street. In the late 1880s, the school was relocated to the west side of South Queen Street.
In 1905, the school expanded to include a four-year high school, and by 1913, the original wooden structure was replaced with a two-story, eight-room brick building. This new facility was dedicated on October 14, 1914, by Rev. William Anthony McKeefrey. The first high school class, comprising eight students, graduated in 1915, marking the beginning of a legacy of academic excellence.
A gymnasium was added in 1938, becoming a hub of school spirit and athletic success. The Saint Joseph Crusaders basketball team drew crowds from across West Virginia, achieving numerous victories, including a celebrated state competition win in 1967.
The high school closed its doors in 1970, with the final graduating class completing their studies that same year.
In 2000, Saint Joseph School moved to its current location across Stephen Street, where a new gym was built after the original gymnasium was torn down in 2006. The historic eight-room brick building on Queen Street was repurposed in 2023 to house our middle school, while the former four-room high school building now serves as the home for our prekindergarten program.
Saint Joseph School’s enduring history is a testament to its commitment to providing a faith-filled, high-quality education, adapting and growing to meet the needs of our community while honoring the legacy that began over a century ago.
THE SJHS STORY
141 years of Catholic education in Martinsburg, WV.
Modern Education &
Continuing Tradition
Saint Joseph School is nestled in the heart of Martinsburg, West Virginia, a thriving micropolitan community within the Washington, D.C., metro area.
As the only Catholic school in the Eastern Panhandle, we proudly serve six parishes across 530 square miles and are part of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s network of 24 schools. With more than 400 students enrolled from infancy through eighth grade, we are excited to expand our mission with the opening of a high school for the 2025-26 academic year.
Our new high school will follow a progressive enrollment model, starting with ninth and tenth grades on our current campus in the fall of 2025. We will continue to grow, adding a new grade each year until the first graduating class—the Class of 2029—walks across the stage.
At Saint Joseph School, our dedicated teachers are committed to excellence, utilizing innovative teaching methods and research-based strategies that inspire students to meet and exceed challenges. Our students are well-prepared for the future, with many earning scholarships to private high schools and colleges, while others continue their education at local public or Catholic high schools. Through a strong foundation of learning, we equip our students with the skills and values needed to succeed in an ever-changing, global world.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The Design & Implimentation
Phase 1
SCHOOL YEAR
2025 - 2026
SJHS will welcome our first Freshmen and Sophomore classes.
Phase 2
SCHOOL YEAR
2026 - 2027
SJHS will welcome our first Junior class.
Phase 3
SCHOOL YEAR
2027 - 2028
SJHS will welcome our first Senior class.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Stay up to date as our High School grows.
We promise to never spam.