History

Founded in 1954, Saint Joseph Catholic School is a ministry of Saint Joseph Parish, yet proudly serves families from across multiple Amarillo parishes. Rooted in a strong tradition of religious leadership—first under the guidance of the Benedictine Sisters and later the School Sisters of St. Francis—faith has always been at the heart of the school’s mission. Originally established as a K–5 institution, the school expanded over time to include middle school grades in response to growing enrollment. This period of growth led to the addition of new facilities, including a gym, science lab, and additional classrooms.

In later years, the middle school grades were phased out, as well as the dedicated science lab. In 1996, the school introduced a Montessori program as part of its early childhood offerings. A significant campus renovation took place from 2000 to 2001, made possible through the generosity and stewardship of parish families—a testament to the community’s unwavering commitment to Catholic education.

Due to ongoing challenges in finding Montessori-certified teachers locally, a traditional Pre-Kindergarten program was introduced in 2007 to provide families with more options. The Pre-K program steadily grew in popularity, and by 2023, the school had fully transitioned away from the Montessori approach, both in name and in structure. Today, Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School continues to invest in its facilities with the installation of new doors and security cameras, updated playground equipment, and a newly constructed front entrance and school sign—all made possible through generous donations and the dedicated efforts of the school and parish community.

WE continue to serve students from PreK3 through 5th grade, Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School remains steadfast in its mission to provide a strong, faith-based education rooted in academic excellence and Catholic values where we proudly Embrace, Educate, and Empower.