Established in 1913, St. Joseph School is one of the oldest schools in Orange County.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange (CSJ) began their affiliation with the school in 1916 by assuming administration of the school at the request of the pastor of St. Joseph Church. 

The founding purpose of the CSJ congregation was to live and work to bring all people into union with God and with one another, serving their spiritual and corporal needs in all works of mercy within the power of the Sisters.  They went forth into various communities establishing the hospital and schools that eventually became the CSJ network. The charism of the school today remains reflective of the congregation’s charism through the practice of respect, effort, achievement, and love, distilling the totality of the Sister’s mission into our school acronym: R.E.A.L, which stands for Respect, Effort, Achievement, Love.  

The last surviving sister to be part of the full-time faculty was Sr. Michelle Tochtrop, who retired in 2012 and subsequently went home to the Lord in 2016. Sister Michelle was a former principal, and teacher of St. Joseph School and a member of the school board until her passing. She also served on several boards for St. Joseph Church. Sr. Susan Tresek continues to be present at the school providing support for the literacy program by visiting the classrooms and reading to students.  Our school's current principal, Ms. Kelly Botto, currently serves on the CSJ Educational Network's Advisory Board.  St. Joseph School continues to carry on the lasting traditions and charisma of the Sister of St. Joseph of Orange through its participation in the CSJ Educational Network and St. Joseph the Worker volunteer program.