In 1959, the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish in Holbrook began a fundraising campaign for their new Catholic school. On September 6, 1962, St. Joseph School opened with two classes of grade one, two classes of grade two and a staff of five Sisters of the order of the Daughters of Charity (one principal and four teachers). A grade was added each year until 1968. By that time, the school had grades one through eight with two classes in each grade level. For the first three years, the Sisters resided in a portion of the school building. In 1965, however, they began living in the newly constructed convent, which still houses a group of sisters.
On September 22, 1962, His Eminence, Richard Cardinal Cushing dedicated St. Joseph School. In his address to the people, he referred to the school as a "Monument to a Christ-like man, Rev. Charles Murphy", who was the pastor of St. Joseph Parish for twenty-two years, and was very instrumental in acquiring the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity to staff the school. The Cardinal paid tribute to the Daughters of Charity and also thanked the town officials who helped make the project possible assuring them, "That no parochial school has conflicted with a public school system. There has always been complete cooperation between the two school systems and this will also be the case in Holbrook."
At present, St. Joseph School has one class for each grade. The junior high includes a full time science teacher. The St. Joseph School population draws from Abington, Avon, Braintree, Brockton, Easton, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Holbrook, Lakeville, Plymouth, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate and Weymouth.
The total school community includes competent and dedicated staff: the principal, secretary, food service manager, maintenance manager, eleven classroom teachers, physical education teacher, computer teacher, music teacher, reading tutor, one full time kindergarten aide, and one part time aide. Parents volunteer as staff in the library and there is a parent run art program. The school currently serves over 300 students.
Parent interest has been consistently demonstrated by high turnouts for Parent's Nights, Open House and Parent Teacher conferences. Valuable services are provided by volunteers in the school yard and in fund raising. Volunteer tutors are available for math. A School Advisory Board composed of the pastor, principal, a teacher representative and parents provide advice on policy, special programs and financial matters.
The school philosophy today incorporates the objectives of Catholic Education to help each child to acquire knowledge, attitudes and habits that contribute to growth in Christian living. Following the leadership set by the Catholic School Office, every effort is made to teach the value of peace and justice and to help students experience those ideals in daily life and in lesson content. Increased awareness of current global concerns is a continuing goal for teachers, staff, and students.
St. Joseph School is recognized by the
Archdiocese of Boston
and is under the supervision of its Department of Education. St. Joseph School maintains close cooperation with the Catholic School Office in Boston as well as the Holbrook Public Schools, and complies with requirements of state and federal law. It also meets the requirements of both state and diocesan boards of education in Massachusetts. It aims to develop future citizens of our land by making students aware of their personal needs, aspirations, interests, and abilities ,so that each individual will grow into a well adjusted and effective citizen. St. Joseph School aims to graduate strong Christian students modeled on the life of Christ.