Dear Parishioners,

I hope you all enjoyed our new promotional DVD.  A special thanks to HASA for funding it.

Are you concerned about the future of Catholic education?  The first thing that comes to my mind when asked that question is that we, in Decatur, are rich in history and faithfulness to our core mission – a quality education grounded in our Catholic faith. Students in our schools now hold the future in their hands and by instilling a strong Catholic foundation in them; we are sending them into the world with the best tools of survival: faith, hope and love. Students who are strong in their faith will continue to practice their Catholic faith and strive to reach their fullest potential.  Catholic Education is able to prepare our future leaders because we educate children not just academically but spiritually and emotionally.

Studies show that parents in the past and present believe that Catholic Schools are better than public schools in terms of academic standards, moral issues and discipline.  The five highest-ranking factors influencing parental decisions to select a Catholic school, in order, are quality religious education, safe environment, quality academic instruction, discipline and order and sense of community. We must continue to ensure that all parents have the opportunity to choose a Catholic school for their children. This should not rest fully on their ability to pay. It is the responsibility of the entire Catholic community to ensure that Catholic schools are available, accessible, and affordable for all who wish to attend.

St. Joseph school has made tremendous gains in our achievement over the past 5-6 years. Our total passing both areas has gone up 15%. I would like to commend the dedicated staff, the students and the parents for their joint effort in making St. Joseph the outstanding school it is today. 

In the fall, students in grades 3-8 participated in the administration of the ISTEP+ Test. Overall the school performed very well on the test. On the Language Arts portion of the test 87.3% of the total students passed, with 9% achieving the Pass-Plus designation. On the Math portion of the test 91.2% of the total students passed with an unbelievable 29% achieving the Pass-Plus designation. On the Science portion of the test 85% of the total students passed with 9% achieving the Pass-Plus designation.

Please look at the chart below and on the reverse side to see how well St. Joseph is doing and in comparison to other schools in the area and diocese.  For more information on St. Joseph School’s overall performance, go to the following website: www.asap.state.in.us   Click on the School Data icon.  Find the link titled, “Where can I find data for one Indiana School Or Corporation?”  Search by County, Adams, St. Joseph School. 

If you have any other questions about St. Joseph School or would like to set up a time to visit and ask questions, please feel free to contact me at 724-2765.

Thanks to all for your continued support.

Mrs. Karla Hormann, Principal