St. Joseph Catholic School
Photo is from our annual 8th grade retreat.About St. Joseph Catholic School
Established in 1964, St. Joseph Catholic School is first and foremost a Catholic school. Our students learn how we are an active part of Christ’s body here on earth and how to be better citizens of our world.
We are accredited through the Western Catholic Educational Association and each year we work on goals that are established in the accreditation process. We are constantly working on our 5 year strategic plan to improve our Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, and the Affordability and Financial Stability of our school.
Pastor, Fr. José Herrera
About Mrs. Valiant
It is a true privilege to serve as Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School, where faith and learning come together to form students in mind, body, and spirit. I’ve had the joy of serving this community for more than 15 years, and my journey in Catholic education began at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Port Angeles, WA, where I taught fourth grade after graduating from Washington State University. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for faith-based education.
Before moving to Kennewick, I spent 12 years with the Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels program, including seven years as Program Manager. In that role, I led a team of 20 educators and oversaw statewide educational initiatives. Fun fact: my first visit to St. Joseph was in the mid-90s as part of that program—setting up science exhibits in the church basement and chatting with Monsignor Dillon!
After relocating to Kennewick in 2010, I began substitute teaching at SJS and soon joined the staff full-time as the Science teacher. Today, as Principal, I’m honored to combine my love for science, my leadership experience, and my dedication to Catholic education to guide our school’s mission.
Under my leadership, we’ve worked hard to strengthen our connection with the parish and community, foster meaningful faith experiences like Eucharistic Adoration and student retreats, and pursue academic excellence through initiatives such as our six-year Accreditation cycle. It’s a blessing to work alongside families, parishioners, and staff to create a vibrant, faith-filled environment where students grow in knowledge and grace.
St. Joseph Catholic School
Mission Statement and Philosophy
St. Joseph Catholic School is a dynamic, faith-filled community where each child is challenged to excel and grow in mind, body, and spirit as an image of God in our world.
St. Joseph Catholic School is a compassionate Catholic Community, in a tradition of academic excellence, and strives to:
Foster a Christian environment of family and friendship.
Educate children in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, in the Catholic tradition.
Prepare children for leadership in Church and society through a sound and challenging basic academic curriculum.
Enable each child to recognize his or her self-worth.
Encourage each child to internalize the values of self-discipline, mutual respect, personal morality, social justice, and right stewardship of the earth.
Nurture each individual’s natural desire to learn.
St. Joseph Catholic School is fortunate to be supported by both St. Joseph Parish and Holy Spirit Parish in Kennewick.
Principal
Pastor, Fr. Michael Brzezowski
Elementary Education
Elementary education at St. Joseph’s provides a well-rounded academic foundation rooted in faith-based values and moral development. The emphasizes not only core subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies but we also integrate religious instruction, character education, and service learning into the daily curriculum. Small class sizes and a strong sense of community often allow for personalized attention and close collaboration between families and educators. Through a focus on both academic excellence and spiritual growth, St. Joesp'h’s elementary schools aims to nurture the whole child—mind, body, and soul—preparing our students to become compassionate, responsible citizens grounded in their faith.
Middle School Education
At St. Joseph Catholic School, our middle school program for grades 6 through 8 provides students with a strong academic and spiritual foundation during these important formative years. We challenge our students with a rigorous curriculum that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning, while continuing to support them in their faith journey. Daily prayer, religion classes, and regular Mass attendance are central to our school culture, helping students grow in their understanding of Catholic teachings and values. Through leadership opportunities, service projects, and a close-knit community, our middle school prepares students for success in high school and life beyond, nurturing compassionate, confident young leaders grounded in faith.
School Wide Learning Expectations
Mind
Demonstrate a strong foundation in core subjects
Are active participants in their own learning and develop a strong work ethic
Use good judgement in decision-making
Are respectful toward authority
Use technology morally and appropriately according to Christian values
Body
Act as an example of what Jesus would do
Are self-disciplined and responsible for their own actions
work cooperatively with others, respecting others’ differences
Know their body is a gift from God and make healthy choices
Spirit
Demonstrate an understanding of the Catholic faith and tradition
Are prayerful and reverent during prayer
Serve others, showing concern for all people and their environment
"We chose St. Joe’s several years ago for our kid’s preschool. And we continue to choose St. Joe’s today, after all these years, because the staff and leadership embodies the school’s mission every day.
Students are pushed to excel academically and are encouraged to live by the school’s three core values: mind, body, and spirit. St. Joe’s is not just a school that our kids go to, it is a community of teachers, parents, and students alike who live by these values every day. Values that are needed in this world more than ever.”
- Gaby Valencia