St. Joseph Hill Academy

The school began in March 1919, with the purchase of the 14-acre (57,000 m²) estate of William Knauth by Reverend Mother M. Kostka Bauer.[3] In May of that year, the Daughters of Divine Charity arrived on Staten Island and in the fall inaugurated tutoring classes for a group of twenty-five children who had come to them during the summer. These classes led to the institution of the Academy. During the school's early years, it was also a boarding school.[3]

The first secondary level classes of the Academy were begun in 1930, and the first official Commencement Exercises were held for six high school graduates in June 1934. At that time, the Academy was affiliated with the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. In 1938, the high school department of St. Joseph Hill Academy received its charter of recognition and full accreditation from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.[3]

Since its foundation, multiple projects have been undertaken to provide for the ever-growing needs of the Academy. The rapid pace of the school's growth was the prime factor which influenced Mother M. Fidelis Babos, then Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Divine Charity, to formulate plans for the erection of a new high school wing.[3] The new wing was added to the already existing elementary school building, which had been dedicated in 1953. Accordingly, on August 26, 1956, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the erection of the present building. On March 23, 1957, Most Reverend Joseph M. Pernicone, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, laid the cornerstone. The formal dedication of the high school building took place on May 22, 1958, conducted by Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.[3]

A new construction project began in 1999 was completed during the 2000-2001 school year. A new gymnasium, four additional high school classrooms and a distance-learning lab, to enhance the WITAC (Women Integrating Technology And Curriculum) program, were added to the facilities.[3]

In 2009 the annex building Madonna Hall was added, named after the Virgin Mary. Madonna Hall has been transformed into a fully functioning art studio.[3]

Since its inception, St. Joseph Hill Academy has kept stride with the ever-changing educational needs of her students and, under the patronage of St. Joseph, will continue to strive to develop in the young ladies who form the student body- the highest good – SUMMUM BONUM.[3]

In 1999 St. Joseph Hill Academy designed and implemented the WITAC (Women Integrating Technology And Curriculum) program. The program required that all students purchase laptops for use in each of the major curriculum areas. Today, each student continues to have her own laptop for use in class and at home.[3]

In support of the STEM program, St. Joseph Hill Academy High School has a lab with robots and 3D printers used for classes such as robotics, engineering, and digital electronics.[3]

HILL TV is a new development beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. HILL TV broadcasts daily news segments during each homeroom from the new TV Studio.[5]

The course of studies at St. Joseph Hill Academy is based on an honors curriculum with two pathway choices, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and Humanities. Students can take electives from either pathway. As of the 2018-2019 school year, the course offerings are:[6]

The school summer uniform consists of a postman blue skirt and matching blazer with a white shirt, white socks, and saddle shoes. Either postman blue pants or a skirt with white stockings are worn in the winter, with a navy sweater. Seniors may wear their senior sweater with the summer uniform or in place of the navy sweater when in winter uniform. Simple black or navy coats are worn in the winter and must at least cover the knees. Students may only use white, black, gray, and navy accessories. Accessories are limited to one set of gold or silver posts (earrings), a simple cross (necklace), or religious medal on a gold or silver chain. Only Juniors and Seniors may wear the school ring and use a moderate amount of lipstick and blush of appropriate shade. All other types of make-up and accessories are prohibited. Hairstyles must be simple with natural color. Major changes in hair coloring are prohibited.

• American Cancer Society Club
• Amnesty International
• Art Club
• American Sign Language
• Autism Awareness Club
• Book of the Month Club
• Cuisine Club
• Dance Team
• Drama Club
• Film Club
• Forensics Team
• FOSI (Friends of Staten Island)
• French Club
• Girls Learn International
• Habitat for Humanity
• HILL TV
• Hill Singers
• Italian Club
• Junior Lay Associates
• Lifestyles/Special Olympics Club
• Literary Club
• Math League
• Mock Trial Team
• Monsignor Farrell Band
• National Honor Society
• Operation Fairy Dust
• Photography Club
• Project Hospitality
• Robotics Club
• Seton Foundation Sports
• Spanish Club
• Student Council
• Summit Productions
• The Summit
• Trashbusters
• UN Club
• Yearbook - Print
• Yearbook - Video
• Yoga Club

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