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St. Joseph School is Dedicated to Well-Rounded Education

Business Connections
April 14, 2025
This Issues Topics:
2025 • Business Connections • Education • St. Joseph
Photos Provided

First graders in Ms. Bortner’s class learn about the difference between queen bees and worker bees

By Sigourney Orstad
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce

For more than 100 years, St. Joseph School has provided high-quality, faith-based education to students from across Lewis County. Principal Carissa Talley and the staff at St. Joseph are dedicated to ensuring that students excel both spiritually and academically in a safe and nurturing environment.

Talley began her teaching career at St. Joseph as a second-grade teacher and gradually took on additional roles, teaching writing, middle school math, and science before becoming principal. For Talley, the staff are just as much a reason she loves her job as the students.

“The staff has always been a wonderful part of the job. They are very dedicated. They work hard. They care for and love the kids, and that’s part of the reason I love my job so much,” said Talley.

Ms. Pruitt reads aloud to kindergarteners in their religion class

St. Joseph offers programs for students from preschool through eighth grade. Students receive a well-rounded education across a variety of subjects, including math, science, religion, and Spanish. In addition to their regular classes, all grade levels participate in a service project each year.

One of the key advantages of attending St. Joseph is the small class sizes. “Because we have small class sizes, we can really focus on what each student needs and work with them to meet their academic goals,” Talley explained. This individualized attention helps students succeed during their time at St. Joseph and beyond, with most reading above grade level by the time they complete eighth grade.

Talley emphasizes that St. Joseph welcomes students of all faiths, not just those of the Catholic tradition. Enrollment for the next academic year opens in April. For more information, visit stjoeschehalis.org.

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