Saint Joseph Catholic Church, under the leadership of Father James Foran, realized its goal of offering a neighborhood Catholic school for families in 1949 when the first students were welcomed to Saint Joseph Catholic School. During the school’s first year, close to 300 pupils were taught by six Sisters of Saint Joseph of Crookston, under the direction of our first principal, Sister Marie Ephrem.

Within months of the school’s opening, beloved Saint Joseph’s traditions were established such as the school carnival. Other added traditions over the years also include the trip to Duluth for Middle Schoolers.

As the number of school families grew over the years, so did the footprint of the school. Eight additional classrooms and office space were added to the campus in the late 1950’s. Shortly thereafter, in 1962 another addition, including six more classrooms, a gym, a locker room and an auditorium was added to the building. In 2009, the school expanded further by adding new kindergarten rooms and the preschool.

Today, Saint Joseph Catholic School is a thriving community, staffed by a lay faculty and administration. Many of the current preschool through 8th grade students are the children and grandchildren of former students. And, the tradition of excellence in education, dedication and service, established years ago by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, continues.