A Catholic school can be successful only if it works with the parents (the Child’s primary educator), in the context of the parish (the basic unit of the Church family) united as one system under the Bishop. Catholic Schools must go beyond instruction to shape the total person and foster a mature adult faith capable of living out one’s baptismal promises. The vision of St. Joseph Catholic School, Ost is to provide “Christ Centered Educational Excellence”.
Timeline: Celebrating Catholic Education since 1892
2025
St. Joe is awarded the “Fully Alive” Academic Excellence Award from the Diocese of Wichita
2023
St. Joe is awarded the “Fully Alive” Catholic Culture Award from the Diocese of Wichita
2021
St. Joe is awarded the “Fully Alive” Faith Formation Award from the Diocese of Wichita
2018
St. Joe receives the St. Robert Bellarmine Award from the Diocese of Wichita for English Language Arts and Religion.
2017
St. Joe receives the St. Robert Bellarmine Award from the Diocese of Wichita for English Language Arts and Mathematics.
2011
From school year 2011- 2012 through the 2017-2018 school year St. Joe, Ost was awarded the Banner School Award from the Dioceses Wichita.
2010
In 2010 the private Pre-School on the Prairie became a part of St. Joe.
2007
The first and second grade class is split into two classrooms.
2004
January 26 Renwick School District holds a hearing in the St. Joe Parish Hall for patrons to express their opinions on the closing of St. Joe
February 16, Renwick School District votes 5-2 in favor of closing St. Joe as a public school. The next day the parish announced plans to reopen as a parochial school in the fall.
In August St. Joe opened its doors as a full Parochial School, not operating just under ‘release time’.
2003
In December, St. Joe Elementary Charter School is placed on a list of possible cost saving measures for the Renwick District ****
1994
The last of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ retired from teaching religion and lay instructors took over escorting the children to daily Mass and providing religious instruction during the school day under ‘release time’. ***
1965
Renwick USD 267 was formed consisting of the parish schools in Andale, Garden Plain, St. Mark’s, St. Mary’s and St. Joe. At this time the building built in 1922 was deeded over to the Renwick School District with the stipulation that if the school were ever closed the building would revert to the parish.
Even after the building became a public school building, members of the Sisters Adorers continued to teach into the School children still attended daily Mass and the parish still provided religious education during the school day under ‘release time’
1922
The current building some refer to as ‘the old building’ was built. “There is ample room for 175 or more school children” *
1900
The Sisters of the Precious Blood of St. John Institute begin serving as teachers**
In the early years of Fr. Grueter’s residency the School enlarged with an addition of a wing and remodeled. Could hold 80 students
1897
The original Church turned school building had become too small and a new frame structure able to hold forty students was built it ‘was as well-equipped as the times demanded and the means allowed.” *
1892
In September, the new Church is dedicated and the First Church becomes a Parish School. Two Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother were the first teachers. *
“With the parish ‘born anew’ as a result of the new church and the parochial school, troubles began to pile up for the pastor and people. The trouble was this: the parish was too small. More families were needed to carry the increased financial burdens.” *
The first school could hold 40 students.
1880-91
Prior to establishing a Parish School, students attended a ‘District School’ just east of St. Joe. *
References
- * Souvenir Booklet, Golden Jubilee, St Joseph, Ost, 1930
- **100 Years 1880—1980, St, Joseph Parish, Ost 1980
- ***Janet Simon, Director of Religious Education, 1994—2004
- ****Times-Sentinel News, December 18, 2003, page 16