Lower School at St. Joseph Catholic School encompasses kindergarten through fourth grades. These grades primarily are self-contained classrooms. The academic subjects of art, music, physical education and technology are instructed by specialized teachers.

Teachers use the Archdiocese of New York approved "Essential Learnings" to develop their individual class' curriculum. Learning objectives for each grade level are then carefully developed within the guidance provided by the Learning Essentials. This process provides teachers flexibility in developing a learning program geared to the ability levels of their students in a given year. I.T.B.S. standardized test scores indicates this is a successful approach to curriculum development and implementation.