Overview of House Systems

The “house” system has its roots in the British school system where boarding students are divided into mixed-age groups in order to  help meet their basic physical, emotional, and social needs and to create a sense of a “family” as they compete against the other houses in sporting and charity events.

Since the Harry Potter books and movies have come out, schools in the United States have shown a renewed interest in the house system.  Catholic schools, in particular, have begun to use the house system to promote positive character traits as well as to instill a sense of belonging and group pride.

The SJS House System

The house system at St. Joseph’s Catholic School is for students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.  4th graders and new 5th and 6th graders are divided into six houses during the Hat Sorting Ceremony at the beginning of the school year.  Members remain in the same house until they graduate from SJS.

Each house is named after a saint and has a motto, mascot, color, and cheer.  Teacher mentors oversee the houses, and house captains (student leaders who have applied and been selected for the position) help plan and lead the house meetings that occur once a month.

House members work together every month to earn points for their house.  Points can be earned by participating in church events, being involved in extracurricular activities, competing in school-wide contests, displaying positive behavior, engaging in service activities, and getting involved in additional activities that might be going on in the school, church, or community that month.  The house that earns the most points each month wins a dress down day and a special lunch together, which includes an ice cream sundae bar.  The house that earns the most points for the entire year is treated to a fun field trip at the end of the school year.

All the houses get together for a house-wide event four times throughout the school year.  These house-wide events encourage cooperation and team-building.  The biggest house-wide event occurs in the spring: the House Cup Tournament.  The tournament involves a series of relay races.  The victor wins the House Cup, and the house that shows the most teamwork, positive spirit, and good sportsmanship during the races wins the Saints Award.  Both of these awards are on display in the trophy case in the front lobby.

The SJS Houses

Brigid House

• Named after Saint Brigid
• Motto: Christ Lives in Every Creature
• Color: Green
• Mascot: Leprechaun

Christopher House

• Named after Saint Christopher
• Motto: Juncta Juvant – Strength in Unity
• Color: Blue
• Mascot: Ox

Elizabeth House

• Named after Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
• Motto: Give to the Lord What You Have with Joy and Cheerfulness
• Color: Purple
• Mascot:  Lion

Francis House

• Named after Saint Francis of Assisi
• Motto:  Success is the Sum of Small Efforts
• Color:  Red
• Mascot:  Wolf

George House

• Named after Saint George
• Motto:  Christo et Doctrinae – For Christ and Learning
• Color:  White
• Mascot:  Dragon

Tekakwitha House

• Named after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
• Motto:  Come and See the Works of God
• Color:  Turquoise
• Mascot:  Bear