St Joseph's

About

St. Joseph’s School is located at 4054 Broadway Ave., P.O. Box 454, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0. The school serves kindergarten to Grade 7 (and also offers pre-kindergarten) and describes itself as a loving, caring learning community focused on academic excellence and the growth of the whole child. It is part of the Catholic community of St. Joseph’s Parish and is committed to integrating learning with the teachings of Jesus Christ as taught and lived in the Roman Catholic Church. The school also acknowledges it is on the unceded traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en.

At a Glance

School type: Independent School (Bulkley Valley)

Education language: St. Joseph’s School offers extended French instruction for grades, taught by a specialist teacher. The sources do not state the primary language(s) used to teach the core curriculum, and they do not mention ELL supports or a formal bilingual/immersion program.

Religious affiliation: St. Joseph’s School is Roman Catholic and part of the Catholic community of St. Joseph’s Parish. The school emphasizes Catholic teachings, religious education, and participation in religious education and celebrations as part of the full school program.

Grades: K-7

Phone: 250 847-9414

Email: stj@cispg.ca

Principal: Monique Vander Wart

Education Languages

St. Joseph’s School offers extended French instruction for grades, taught by a specialist teacher. The sources do not state the primary language(s) used to teach the core curriculum, and they do not mention ELL supports or a formal bilingual/immersion program.

Religious Affiliation

St. Joseph’s School is Roman Catholic and part of the Catholic community of St. Joseph’s Parish. The school emphasizes Catholic teachings, religious education, and participation in religious education and celebrations as part of the full school program.

Programs and Services

Music Music instruction is provided from Kindergarten to Grade 7 and is taught by a specialist teacher. French The school offers extended French instruction for grades, taught by a specialist teacher. Athletics and extracurricular sports The school states it offers “extracurricular sports and activities,” but specific sports are not listed in the provided sources. Student support / special education The school lists a Learning Resource teacher and Education Assistants, and notes that admission is contingent on the school being able to provide a program for a child. The website also links to a “Special Education Policy” and provides the ERASE anonymous reporting tool for students/families who are struggling or experiencing bullying. Food services (lunch programs) The school offers hot lunches made on site, including weekly Friday hot lunch, “Hot Dog Mondays,” and periodic pizza lunches (as a Grade 7 fundraiser), with ordering and payment managed through the school.

School Culture and Expectations

The school’s stated core values are Faith, Responsibility, Personal Excellence, Respect (including inclusion, diversity, and dignity), and Community (service, teamwork, family). It describes a culture that encourages learners to be safe, helpful, accountable, respectful, and positive. Families are told that participation includes the full educational program, including religious education and celebrations. The school also states a commitment to truth, reconciliation, and authentic Indigenous education.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

Parents who drive students for school activities are required to provide the office with a Driver’s Abstract. Volunteers working with children must complete an application and consent to a criminal record search. No additional arrival/dismissal, parking, busing, or active transportation details are provided in the sources.

Enrollment

Families can apply for admission at any time, and the school welcomes registration inquiries (contact the office to book an interview). After an application is received, families are invited to meet with the principal to discuss the school’s philosophy, programming, and expectations; the parish priest may attend to discuss the religious nature of the school. The admissions page outlines enrolment priorities (e.g., siblings, practising Catholic parish families, children who attended pre-kindergarten) and notes acceptance depends on available space and the school’s ability to meet a child’s needs.