Saint Joseph Academy

High School Profile

Saint Joseph Academy

(TK-12th)

2024-2025

High School Profile

CEEB Code: 053155

Saint Joseph Academy

Executive Director: Don Sando 

Dean of Academics: Paul Kerekes

500 Las Flores Drive

San Marcos, CA 92078

Main Office: (760)305-8505

www.saintjosephacademy.org

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Founded in 1995, Saint Joseph Academy (SJA) is an independent, TK-12, classical school that is faithful to the teachings of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. We have 373 students, 100 of whom are in the High School. Our mission is to form vibrant young men and women who, committed to live by Catholic principles and follow the personal calling of God in each of their lives, will advance and transform human culture for the sake of the kingdom of God.


The class of 2024 graduated 21 students, and the high school student population ranges from 92-97 students with a faculty student ratio of 1:19. Students come from all over North San Diego County and beyond (some even driving more than an hour each way) to take advantage of our unique offerings. We offer generous need-based financial aid, as well as merit-based scholarships; in addition, 16% of our families utilize our tuition-assistance work-study program. Over 33% of the fulltime faculty hold advanced degrees. SJA is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) until 2028 and holds membership with the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools (NAPCIS) and the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE). SJA is recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as an Honor Roll school (2018-2023). 

Curriculum

230 credits are required for graduation:
  • 40 credits (4 years) English (Ancient Literature, Medieval Literature, American Literature, British Literature)
  • 40 credits (4 years) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Calculus 1, Calculus II)
  • 40 credits (4 years) Science (Zoology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • 45 credits (4 1/2 years) Theology (Introduction to Theology, Biblical Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual Theology)
  • 35 credits (3 1/2 years) History (Ancient & Medieval History, World History, U.S. History, Civics/Economics)
  • 20 credits (2 years) Language other than English (Spanish)
  • 10 credits (1 year) Writing (Rhetoric/Senior Thesis) 
  • 10 credits (1 year) Visual and Performing Arts (Art History)
  • Electives: 2.5 credits/semester (Choir, Yearbook, Drama, Dance, Computer Science, Robotics, Associated Student Body)

Weighting of Grades and Ranking

Honors courses are weighted by one point. All credit classes are  included in computing grade point averages. Grade point averages (GPA) are computed by semester. We do not rank.

CLT Results (120 total) 

SJA Average (Class of 2025) 70
National Average 65

SAT Results

Subject SJA National
Math 552 523
ERW 608 527
Total 1160 1050

National Merit Scholars

National Merit Finalist: 1 (2016/17)

National Merit Commended Student: 4 (2017/18, 2019/20, 2022/23, 2023/24) 

Honors Courses

(88% of our students take Honors)

Grade Assignments

SJA assigns letter grades using a 4.0 system. Letter grades are assigned as follows:
Grade Percentage
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 59% or below

The Cardinal Newman Society Awards:

In 2018-2023, the Cardinal Newman Society recognized
Saint Joseph Academy as a Catholic Education Honor
Roll School and was further elevated to the highest level
as a Catholic Education Ambassador School. Schools
receiving this designation are marked by the integration
of Catholic identity throughout all aspects of their
programs and excellence in academics. This award is
granted every five years. We are the only high school in
San Diego and one of only four in California to win this
award.

SJA's 2017-2024 Graduates (126 Students Total) Were Accepted into the Following Colleges and Universities

Alaska Pacific University

*Ave Maria University Azusa Pacific University

Baylor University

*Belmont Abbey College

Bellus Academy 

*Benedictine College

*Cal Poly Pomona

*Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Cal State- Fullerton 

Cal State- Long Beach 

*Cal State- San Marcos

Carroll College 

Catholic University of America Chapman University 

*Christendom College

*Franciscan University of Steubenville

*Grand Canyon University Hawaii Pacific University

Hillsdale College

*Hollins University

International Theological Institute (Austria) 

*John Paul the Great Catholic University

Loyola Marymount University 

Montana State University Honors College Mount St. Mary's University 

*Mira Costa College

*Northern Arizona University

Oregon State University

Pepperdine University 

*Purdue University

Saint Louis University 

Saint Mary's College 

San Diego State University 

*Thomas Aquinas College (CA & New England)

*UC Berkeley

*UC Davis,

*UC Irvine, *UC Riverside

*UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz

University of Colorado 

*University of Dallas

*University of Mary

*University of Notre Dame

University of the Pacific

*University of San Diego

University of Tampa

University of Texas, Austin

University of Tulsa 

University of Wisconsin (Madison) 


*indicates more than one acceptance

Grade Distribution Class of 2024

There were 21 graduates in the Class of 2024

Weighted Non-Weighted
5 earned a 4.25+ 5 earned a 3.75-4.0
5 earned 4.0-4.24 6 earned a 3.5-3.74
5 earned 3.5-3.99 5 earned a 3.0-3.49
3 earned 3.0-3.49 5 earned less than 3.0
3 earned less than 3.0

Athletics

SJA is a member of C.I.F.


  • Boys 8 Man Football (CIF Division VI Runner-up 2022)
  • Girls Volleyball
  • Cross Country
  • Boys Basketball (CIF Division V Section Champions 2022)
  • Girls Basketball (CIF Division III Section Champions, 2021)
  • Boys Baseball (CIF Division V Runner-up 2022)
  • Girls Softball
  • Golf
  • Track and Field


Over 75% of our students participate in athletics. We are a member of the Virtue Equals Strength Program.

Post High School Academic Activities

99% of graduates go on to college

92% matriculate to 4-year universities

Community Service

Students record at least 30 volunteer hours of required community service per year of
high school. 

Testimonials From High School Teachers, Parents and Students