San Jose Catholic School is dedicated to fostering Catholic identity and academic excellence through faith, love, and knowledge. Our Catholic school has been serving the San Marco, San Jose, Southside, and Mandarin communities of Jacksonville, FL since 1961.
Philosophy
San Jose Catholic School values each student as a child of God, loved and called to friendship with Him. As a community we are committed to offering our students academic excellence in a nurturing, safe environment that recognizes, embraces, and celebrates the uniqueness of each child.
Education at San Jose Catholic School provides each student with the necessary skills to become lifelong learners who succeed in life.
Partnering and with close association with parents, we provide an atmosphere in which students develop their faith, knowledge, and values as they live the Gospel message, discover a love of learning, and reach out to others in service while deepening their relationship with God.
Historic Foundations
Nestled in the historic south Jacksonville neighborhood, and dedicated to St. Joseph from which both get their name, San Jose Catholic School, like its surrounding area, is steeped in rich heritage and strong traditions. The vision and goals of the pastors, sisters, and faithful people of San Jose Parish more than fifty years ago is very much alive and reflected in the school, staff, and student body.
SJCS began educating students in August 1961, under the guidance and direction of Monsignor Danaher and the Navan Sisters of Mercy. Mother M. Therese, Sister Enda, Sister Patrick, and Sister De Montfort, along with three lay teachers, opened the school with 184 students in six grades. These devout and dedicated sisters from Ireland brought with them a belief that Catholic education was a lifelong process. It was their mission to provide students with a strong Catholic foundation that would nurture and educate the whole person – spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. This same commitment to Catholic values remains the mission statement of San Jose Catholic School.
Back then!
With architecture reflecting the Spanish influence of the area, the sprawling, untamed twenty-five acres in 1961 have given way to a beautiful and serene campus.
State-of-the-art classroom buildings, science labs, media center, early childhood learning center, gymnasium, athletic fields, cultural and community centers are all a tribute to the many families who have made SJCS their apostolic mission for a half-century.
Dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in 1968, the Shrine of the Holy Family, its altar, fountains, and bell tower remains symbolic of that commitment to faith, family, and community.
San Jose Catholic School’s diligence in building an academic and spiritual legacy that goes beyond the doors of the school continues to grow. Through faithfulness and a willingness to share the gifts of Christ’s love with others, students, families, faculty, and administration strive to seek opportunities to serve. SJCS students are passionate about helping others. Since 1999, the annual SJCS Musical has enabled the school to make donations of over $40,000 to The Guardian Catholic Schools scholarships.
In 2004, students raised over $14,000, which was used to build homes for seven families in Jamaica. Each year, our school supports local organizations and families is need through monthly service projects. These donations and service to our community help model our core values of Faith, Love, and Serve.
Tradition
We continue to seek new ways to grow and renew through rediscovering and sharing values and traditions that have been our foundation since 1961.
As we reflect on the past, live in the present, and look to the future, the San Jose Catholic School family will continue to be devoted, faithful, and committed people of God who strive to do His holy will in all things.