Our Mission

Our mission is to empower students through our Catholic faith, Academic Excellence, and Community Service to become leaders of integrity and compassion. 

Our Philosophy

St. Joseph Catholic School emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community service. Rooted in Catholic values, the school aims to nurture students' minds, bodies, and spirits. St. Joseph School prepares students to become compassionate, responsible, and well-rounded individuals. 

Our Vision

To be a leading Catholic school known for academic excellence, faith formation, and community engagement. 

Our Staff

We have an amazing and dedicated faculty and staff who make many sacrifices in order to serve in a school where they have the freedom to pray with their students and share their faith in Christ! We are so proud of their dedication and service. Please do not hesitate to contact our staff if you have any questions or concerns about your child's education and progress.

                                                  Our History

The first German settlers arrived in Paris in 1818, bringing their Catholic faith to Arkansas. The children of those settlers began Saint Joseph School in 1879. The school had a humble beginning with one Catholic lay woman teaching children in the home of Vincent Stauss, located just west of Paris. In 1880, the first St. Joseph church was built. In the same year a one-room schoolhouse was constructed, and the children were taught by Mr. Joseph Duerr. In 1889, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Convent in Shoal Creek, Arkansas took over teaching at the school. Two new classrooms were built in 1968 to accommodate the increase in enrollment. A kindergarten was added in 1990. In 1993, an Endowment Fund was established to provide financial stability for the future.  A Preschool program was then added in 1995. Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, St. Joseph School began using the Montessori method for instruction in Preschool. This method continues to be used in Preschool. The last of the Benedictine Sisters taught here in the 1990s. Mr. Thomas Pohlmeier was ordained as a Deacon on Dec. 14th, 2002 and remains our parish deacon until this day. Fr. Eugene Luke of Subiaco Abbey was assigned as our parish priest in 2003 and Mrs. Sharon Pohlmeier started as church secretary that same year. Mrs. Pohlmeier became both the church and school secretary in 2007. In 2023 our kindergarten became a hybrid of classical learning and methodology that integrates academics, arts, and practical skills. Students began to learn science and math skills in their classroom kitchen. The school continues to make improvements to facilities to this day. New flooring was added in 2023 after a Christmas Day flood that started in an upstairs restroom as temperatures plummeted. Playground improvements were accomplished in 2025. The use of technology in classrooms was greatly improved through computer updates, smart TVs, and personal learning platforms for math, language arts, and reading. Prior to 2023, the pastors of our parish were exclusively Benedictine from nearby Subiaco Abbey. Fr. Polycarp Ssebbowa was assigned to our parish and school by the Diocese of Little Rock. He left the summer of 2025 to pastor St. Anthony Church in Ratcliff and Sacred Heart in Charleston. Fr. Nalazala Raj was assigned to our parish and school the summer of 2025 and both priests were housed in the St. Joseph Church Rectory. Mrs. Sharon Pohlmeier retired as school secretary in 2025 and was replaced by Leslie Maddox.

Distinguished alumni of our institution include four priests, including Fr. Sebastian Beshoner, Fr. Don Zeiler, Fr. Joshua Stengel, Fr. Cody Eveld, and Fr. (now Bishop) Erik Pohlmeier. Sr. Cabrini Schmitz and Sr. Carmen Beshoner also attended St. Joseph School. Distinguished military members Travis Amerine and John Paul Post graduated from our school, as did Jason Ahrns, Aurorologist and rocket scientist at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Institute of Geophysics.