Letter From Rachel

A guest column by  Simaan Abu Sini, Director of the St. Joseph High School in Nazareth

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About Us and Our Vision

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St. Joseph Seminary and High School was founded in 1956 and is owned by the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate.

 

The school serves approximately 620 students in Grades 7–12. Most of our students continue from Al-Wasfiyah Elementary School, which belongs to the same educational network. Our teaching staff consists of 56 teachers, nearly half of whom are alumni of the school, reflecting a strong sense of belonging, commitment, and confidence in our institution.

 

Over the past ten years, our matriculation eligibility rate has consistently ranged between 95% and 97%. Approximately 38% of our graduating students achieve honors, and nearly 80% continue to higher education at universities and colleges. About 25% of our students come from outside the city of Nazareth, mainly from neighboring villages.

 

Our school’s vision is founded on the belief that true education combines academic excellence with the cultivation of strong moral values. Alongside providing students with the knowledge, tools, and skills they need to succeed in higher education and their future careers, we are committed to nurturing values such as respect, tolerance, generosity, responsibility, and community engagement. We believe that the integration of knowledge and virtue is essential in shaping responsible, compassionate, and capable young people who will make meaningful contributions to society.

 

The school places great importance on promoting acceptance of others, coexistence, mutual respect, and peace. We strive to provide our students with meaningful opportunities to engage with peers from different cultural and social backgrounds, believing that dialogue, understanding, and cooperation are the foundations of a brighter and more peaceful future for everyone.

 

St. Joseph Seminary and High School actively participates in numerous educational projects in partnership with Jewish schools. We are especially proud of our participation in the Galilee Dreamers Program, through which our students meet and collaborate with students from the Jewish community. These encounters encourage meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, shared experiences, and lasting friendships, while fostering hope for a future built on partnership, coexistence, and peace.