biggest
THE LITTLE SCHOOL IN MACON.
St. Joseph’s Catholic School is off to an incredible start for the 2025-2026 academic year. We’ve seen a 25% increase in student enrollment, welcoming 65 new students (and counting!) Every grade, 2K-5th, gained new students this year
We know our growth is a reflection of your experience at SJS, and we are so grateful for the good news you share about us.
As we dramatically increase preschool enrollment, our early learning classrooms received a major overhaul. Updated curriculum, furniture, and manipulatives in 2K - K classrooms are transforming the way we educate our littlest Knights.
This year has brought wonderful new hires New lead teachers, instructional aides, and enrichment teachers are filling our classrooms with an enthusiasm that’s contagious. Our faculty are eager to teach and grow our students in both virtue and academics
Our fall 2025 MAP test results are promising. We were pleased to see very strong academic achievement across all grades We’ve also seen significant academic growth, particularly for our summer tutoring students, who averaged 7.5 months of growth over just 6 weeks!
Beyond academics, students are benefitting from an everincreasing variety of activities this year, including functional fitness, finance basics, and an upcoming gardening club.
Looking Ahead to 2026
THE WORD IS OUT
There’s no doubt about it people are taking notice of the important role Catholic education plays in our region. We’ve seen a sharp increase in family tours, referrals, business sponsorships, invitations for our students to perform at local events, media inquiries, and even families interested in renewing their Catholic faith. This exciting energy resonates within our walls, and our faculty and students are protected by and lifted with your prayers and support Our hope is that St Joseph’s Catholic School serves as many students as possible for decades to come.
OUR PLANS FOR GROWTH
To add classrooms and create modern learning spaces, we need to renovate and expand our downtown footprint We are committed to a physical expansion of our campus in the next three years Thank you to our committee of parents, staff, and advisors who recently selected Azar+Walsh Architects to spearhea of our SJS community will shape this critica campaign to fund this initiative.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
for our students, faculty, and staff. Pray for the success of our upcoming 2026 campaign so that SJS can grow to meet the needs of our community.
Stay the Course Plan Ahead
with your current level of giving to our school. Be on the lookout for the continuation of our Fruits and Roots 1872 Annual Fund this fall.
for the ways you can support our 2026 expansion campaign. Consider employer matching options, your required minimum distributions, and planned giving opportunities for 2026. Together, we can make big dreams possible!
The Next Principal
As most of you know, my interim assignment will end at the close of this school year. Serving St. Joseph’s is a blessing to me, and it is a joy for this to be my final assignment
before I (re)retire As we prepare for the future, Fr Johnson has selected Partners in Mission to manage a comprehensive search for the next principal. This process will require participation from our families, faculty, and staff over the next several months. I thank you in advance for your prayers and support of this important search.
Keepthe Faith!
Russell Sills, Principal
Loving God, as we look ahead to the work and blessings that await us in 2026, we place St. Joseph’s in Your care.
Through the intercession of our patron, St. Joseph, grant us wisdom in planning, courage in change, and unity in purpose.
Bless all who support and believe in our mission, that together we may build a future rooted in faith, strengthened by hope, and guided by Your love. St. Joseph, pray for us. Amen.