St. Joseph Elementary School

305 Elm Street

Oradell, NJ 07649

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 26, 2024

We are so proud to have our son enrolled at Saint Joseph School. The administration and faculty have nurtured his intellectual and emotional well being. He has been given the opportunity to excel in his studies with the manageable class sizes. He is well mannered and kind because of its Catholic values. I am confident he will be well prepared to succeed not only in high school and college but in life due to the solid foundations he experienced at SJS.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2023

Stay Far Far Away from this school. There is major favoritism that goes on here. The kids who are doing better academically are treated differently, and their mishaps are overlooked by the teachers and the administration. The families that contribute to the school receive special treatment. The administration is approachable but does not do enough to address the issues that are brought to them. This was also the case with the previous administration. No, Saint Joseph School is not one big happy family, so do not believe the previous reviews. Instead, listen to what the parents are saying amongst themselves about the teachers and the administration. Most think that some upper school faculty along with the administration is in need of a change. This is the reason why a lot of the kids do not come back after fifth grade. Families leaving and the drop in enrollment speaks volumes. Some teachers do not care much about the children, they only want things done their way and run to the administration to get their way. Demerits and detentions are continuously used to intimidate the kids and they are handed out very often.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2023

I have 3 children at Saint Joseph School. Every day they run in smiling and are greeted outside by the principal. The entire staff is amazing. The teachers are happy and committed to helping the students learn and succeed. It’s a friendly environment focused on family and values. We couldn’t be a happier.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2023

We've had our child in the school since Kindergarten and are also parishioners at St. Joseph. We've been genuinely impressed with the warm, caring environment that all the kids are given to learn in. The teachers and administration know every student's name regardless of grade. Families are eager to be involved in school events so it's not hard to get to know other parents in a short time. We've seen consistent improvement each year in the form of upgraded technology, new activities for the kids, and programs for families such as the lunch service. Every school has its challenges, but we've always felt things have been handled fairly and professionally. Academically, we've been thrilled with where our child is relative to friends at other schools. Test scores have trended positively, and we know that St. Joseph's has a strong history of not only sending graduates to the top Catholic high schools, but also producing numerous valedictorians in those schools over the years. We're fully confident that our child will be well prepared for success at the high school of their choice thanks to SJS.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2023

All 3 of my children have been attending Saint Joseph School since kindergarten and I could not be any happier with the education they are receiving. In addition to the classroom curriculum, they are learning how to be good, well-rounded citizens. Saint Joseph School is one big family, and the teachers truly care about their students, both in the classroom and out side.
Submitted by teacher on August 12, 2023

I was a teacher in a public school setting for a number of years before voluntarily leaving and choosing to go back to a Catholic school, which is where I received my education. My only regret is not going to Saint Joseph School sooner. It has been a completely different experience in the most positive way. There is absolutely no lack of parental involvement and support. All teachers have a wonderful working relationship with great communication and all have the safety and well-being of the students at heart. We have had numerous transfers from either other private schools or public schools, mainly due to bullying issues, and the students are always very welcoming and accepting of anyone new that joins their class. The overall feel of the environment is very positive and upbeat. It is such a pleasure to be able to pray together as a group every morning and at the end of each day, as well as attend mass as a school community. I cannot think of a better place to send your child.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2023

I have two children. One has already graduated from St. Joe's and the other is set to graduate shortly. St. Joseph School has been a blessing for my family. The rigorous curriculum is second to none. The students are extremely prepared for high school and are continually accepted into highly competitive schools like Bergen Academies, Regis, Bergen Catholic, Sacred Heart NYC, and Immaculate Heart Academy with scholarships. The school is diverse and has a support system among its families that can't be found elsewhere making it a unique learning environment. The central Bergen County location in Oradell makes it accessible for families from many towns. There are many clubs available to all grades as well as athletic teams for basketball and track. I can't say enough. My children have grown to their potential and beyond during their time at St. Joseph School in Oradell.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2023

I have two children attending St Joseph school and we are extremely pleased with their education. It is a challenging curriculum that prepares them for their next level of education. We have a new principal that has brought a new energy to our school. There are so many exciting things to look forward to in the next school year. I would highly recommend our school to students of any age. St Joseph school students have an excellent reputation when looking at high schools. I do feel this gives them an advantage over other schools. There is a 100% acceptance rate at school of choice and other highly sought after schools. Along with an extremely high amount of scholarship money awarded to graduating students. Above all it is a warm and nurturing environment for both students and families. We also have a very supportive church and parish which again sets St Joseph school apart from other Catholic schools in the area.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2023

I wholeheartedly recommend St. Joseph School! My three children have gone through St. Joe’s, and it is a warm, friendly environment for children from Pre-K through 8th across two buildings. The Pre-K program is top notch, and students who graduate from 8th grade have a 100% acceptance rate at Catholic high schools. St. Joe’s students get into highly competitive schools, including Bergen Academies, Regis, Immaculate Heart Academy, Academy of Holy Angels, Don Bosco, and others.I am very glad my children are St. Joe’s graduates!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2023

We moved our son to this school thinking that it would be a great opportunity for our child to learn in a faith-centric environment. We were completely wrong in the assumption that the teachers, the staff and the other students would be nicer than public school. What we saw were heavily politicized classrooms where teachers were pushing their own agendas, preferential treatment of some students who got away with bullying and blatantly racist comments that were allowed to go unchecked by the staff and administration.Even after numerous reports to the administration about bullying, threats from students, about incidents where some students were wiping feces on the bathroom walls, and complaints about some 6th and 7th graders who were harassing our child we did not get our issues addressed. The school certainly does not live by the Catholic standards it preaches. The administration itself cannot be trusted with the education of your children if they cannot even guarantee their classrooms as a safe haven for learning. If you are considering the school, just ask them about their high turnover rate from kids moving into their middle school. We are glad we are moving our child out at the end of this school year. There are better options elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2023

I send my children to St Joes and we have had a great experience with both teachers and staff. All are very approachable and will work with you as needed to help the children. There is a small school feel and families can really get to know each other if they want to. I really like that they have the older kids mentor the younger kids. Kids are in a safe environment that teaches them the skills to be prepared emotionally and educationally for the future. Fund raising is a part of every private school and so the more you are engaged the more you will speak to staff. You don’t have to give big donations to be involved.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2023

For a private school where you pay to send your kids, it is disappointing that the academic standard is still sub-par, especially since other Catholic schools in the area are doing much better in this regard. The technology equipment, facilities and textbooks are outdated. This however is not the biggest concern. Another parent commented that preferential treatment is given to families who contribute to the school and that while the administration is approachable, the administration does not do anything or enough to address the problem. This has certainly been our experience and it is unfortunate that this continues to happen over the years and carries over several changes in administration.
Submitted by principal on May 10, 2018

The school is pleased to announce the results of the Iowa Assessments; the majority of students performed at or above national norms. Saint Joseph School is making new strides with its educational program! The classrooms are equipped with smart boards and newly acquired Hovercams. There are two computer labs as well as ipads for student use, too.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2018

My son, currently a 6th grader, has been a student at St. Joseph School for the past four years. Although there has been change within the administration, the school has a renewed vibe. With initiatives such as the Lancer Cafe and recess enrichment programs including chess with Monsignor Hubba as well as Legos and Dance, there is a positive climate and my son is just thriving there. My family is thrilled.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2018

I'm extremely pleased with the quality of education provided to the students and the Catholic values that are a part of each school day. I have one child currently in the school and he couldn't be happier. The new principal and vice principal bring an energy and spirit to the school that can't be quantified.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2018

Three of my children attended St. Joseph School. SJS provided my children with the foundation they needed to become the successful, kind, and compassionate adults they are today.
Submitted by other on January 18, 2017

My children attend St. Joe's and we could not be happier. The faculty and staff are attentive, responsive, and invested in the quality of education the children receive. We are also very involved in the school community, which is a tight knit and nurturing. At St. Joe's, you always feel like someone is looking out for your child. That, coupled with a quality education, you can't go wrong.
Submitted by other on March 04, 2016

teachers leaving, famiies leaving, classes get smaller each year. Nothing is said, but it speaks volumes. Plenty of other options are available.