St. Joseph Academy, which was founded eight years ago as a private, independent school, is moving to a new home for the 2018-19 school year. The academy, which provides an individualized education for students from preschool through middle school, will be located in the school formerly occupied by St. John the Baptist Catholic School at 403 N. Hickory Street in Joliet.
The community is invited to “Open House Week” in order to tour the new facility. Hours for the Open House are Wednesday, Aug. 8, 1 to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Aug. 9 and 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors may also call 815-723-4567 to arrange a private tour.
St. Joseph Academy features a preschool-kindergarten that is fully equipped with Montessori materials. The elementary and adolescent programs have multi-age classrooms where children can utilize their own learning styles to advance to the best of their abilities.
“We welcome children who are gifted, as well as students with learning difficulties. Our students all work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation,” said Jan Novotny, administrator and middle school teacher at the school.
An independent school based on Montessori philosophy and Catholic tradition, St. Joseph Academy was originally located in the Premier Building on Jackson Street. In 2014, the school moved to the building owned by the Friends of Community Public Art on Ottawa St.
“We are thankful to our previous landlords who provided our original school homes,” Novotny said. “Now we believe we have moved into our permanent home, and we are grateful to St. John the Baptist Parish and the Diocese of Joliet for allowing us to rent this beautiful building.”
