Chamber Member Spotlight - Saint Joseph Catholic School

Our Mission Statement is: Growing in faith and knowledge to serve God and community.

St. Joseph Catholic School was founded in 1885 by German immigrants who wanted a Catholic school for their children to attend. In the first year of school, German schoolmasters taught approximately thirty-five students. In the early 1900s, the sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ took over the operation and were the teachers of St. Joseph School until the last sisters retired in 2003. Today, our school is led by Father Terrance Klein and the teachers are all lay teachers. We currently have eighty-one students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Our school is unique in our focus to teach our students about God and the love of his son Jesus. Our expectations for all students' achievement is high in our family-oriented school setting.

Marlene Clayton, Principal at SJCC, was interviewed by us. Marlene mentioned there are a couple of reasons why Barton County is a great place to do business. She said, "Our families are invested in the success of their children and of St. Joseph School. It is a delight to work with the families of Ellinwood and the surrounding community." "Thank you for the faith that you show the students. You can tell the confidence that it builds in them, that extends in a positive way to other areas of their lives, an SJCC parent stated.

Check out these three interesting facts about Saint Joseph Catholic School you may not have known.

St. Joseph School is the oldest school in the Dodge City Diocese going into our 135 years beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.
We do not charge tuition to parishioners.
Our school is accredited through the Kansas State Department of Education.

Marlene Clayton mentioned why they are Chamber Members and stated, "So that we can stay involved in our community and keep abreast of what's going on in Ellinwood and the surrounding community." We are so appreciative of their membership and hope you have a chance to check out their services.