Where Tradition Meets Innovation
SJHA promises every family a rigorous education rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that develops both academic excellence and moral character. We blend time-tested Catholic educational values with forward-looking instructional practices, ensuring your child thrives academically, grows spiritually, and becomes a compassionate leader in their community.
The Foundation: Tradition
We honor a strong Catholic foundation grounded in Gospel values, where faith shapes how students think, act, and serve their communities. Our commitment to evidence-based educational practices has prepared generations of thoughtful, compassionate citizens who understand their responsibility to the world around them.
The Future: Innovation
We equip students with modern instructional strategies, collaborative learning models, and cutting-edge technology to succeed in an evolving world. Through inquiry-based and project-based learning across all disciplines, students apply knowledge to real-world challenges and develop the critical thinking skills they'll need to shape the future.
Core Academics: K–8
Our comprehensive curriculum aligns with New York State standards while emphasizing deep understanding, critical thinking, and real-world application. Every student receives personalized attention with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio.
Special Classes Enhance Every Grade
In addition to core subjects, students participate in Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology, Spanish language instruction, and STEM. For younger students, Movement & Dance enriches creative development. For older students, we offer a Writers' Workshop and Public Speaking course.
Project-Based Learning: Real-World Application
We believe students learn most deeply when they investigate meaningful questions, solve real problems, and work collaboratively. Project-based learning is woven throughout our curriculum especially in STEM, science, and humanities.
Why We Embrace Project-Based Learning
- Builds critical thinking and creativity
- Develops teamwork and communication skills
- Mirrors real-life problem-solving and design thinking
- Offers performance-based assessments showing what students know
- Increases student engagement and ownership of learning
- Prepares students for college and career success
Award-Winning STEM Program
St. Joseph Hill Academy is recognized as a 2024–2025 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School—with second-year recognition for our Launch Program (Pre-K to 5th) and fourth consecutive year as a Distinguished Gateway School (6th–8th). Ms. Teresa Maresca was named an Outstanding PLTW Launch Teacher for 2025–2026.
What Makes Our STEM Program Special
Our formal STEM curriculum runs from Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, combining scientific inquiry with creative problem-solving and real-world design challenges. Students don't just learn about science and engineering—they do it, using industry-standard tools and practices. Read more here.
Languages & Cultural Literacy
We are one of the only Catholic schools on Staten Island offering Spanish in every grade from Pre-K through 8th grade. With two dedicated Spanish teachers and several bilingual faculty members, our students enjoy continuity, cultural exposure, and strong language foundations.
