St Joseph Academy Inc

HISTORY

St. Joseph Academy is sponsored by the Felician Sisters. In 1907, in response to the orphan crisis in Milwaukee, the Felician Sisters began a campaign to build an orphanage. St. Joseph Orphan Asylum opened in May 1908 and the Sisters cared for the homeless children in Milwaukee.

From 1967 – 1973, the orphanage became St. Joseph Home for Children ages 9 - 18 years who were wards of the state and the Sisters began the South Day Care Center of St. Joseph. The needs of the community had changed and orphanages were no longer needed.

The South Day Care Center thrived and in 1999 was moved to a new location a few blocks away. It was renamed the Child Development Center of St. Joseph. In 2009, a school expansion began with our first Kindergarten class. We are now an organization with two programs, but one Academy. We serve children 6 weeks old through 8th grade. Our Academy celebrated its first 8th grade completion class in June 2019.

ORGANIZATION

Serving the community for 115 years, our mission is to educate children to be successful life-long learners and problem solvers. We place emphasis on the whole child (Body, Mind, Spirit). We are guided by the Felician core values for Ministry: Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, Justice and Peace, Transformation, and Solidarity with People in Need.

Our Academy serves nearly 600 children. St. Joseph Academy is located on Milwaukee’s south side in a predominately, Hispanic neighborhood. We serve an at-risk population of children. Ninety percent of our students fall into an ethnic minority category. All students are eligible for free lunch.

Both our Early Childhood and our K4-8th grade are recognized for excellence. Our Early Childhood is a 5 Star Young Star rated NAC accredited program and our K4-8th grade is accredited by WRISA and Cognia.