The library at St. Joseph Catholic School holds a significant role in the school’s curriculum. Kindergarten classes visit the library once a week to engage in book listening sessions. During these sessions, they develop essential listening skills and gain an understanding of plot, characters, comprehension, fiction, nonfiction, as well as the important elements of who, what, where, and why. Additionally, they participate in art projects that complement the stories they listen to.

From 1st to 6th grade, students actively participate in The Accelerated Reader Program, a computerized reading program. This program, which has been in place for 28 years, has proven to be highly popular and effective. Through this guided reading program, children read books that are appropriate for their age and ability, and subsequently take quizzes on the computer to assess their understanding. Points are awarded based on their quiz scores. For 2nd to 6th graders, there are point clubs with small prizes given at different levels. At the end of the year, there is a store where all grades can use their accumulated points to “purchase” items.

Although this enrichment program is mandatory, it is not graded. Our aim is to expose students to a wide range of books, including fiction, nonfiction, biographies, mysteries, and adventure stories. This program not only fosters a lifelong love of reading but also improves test scores in all subjects. Our school library provides access to hundreds of thousands of titles for quizzes, and the books are conveniently arranged by reading level and age appropriateness. Adult volunteers are available to read with students when necessary. It is crucial to allocate sufficient time for in-school reading to ensure the success of this program, and we make every effort to do so.

At St. Joseph Catholic School, reading is considered fundamental and is also a source of great enjoyment.