Our mission at Joseph Academy is to serve children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional, and/or learning disorders (eligibility for ED, LD, OHI, or Autism), to help them develop the social skills they'll need to succeed in life. Although many of them possess above average intelligence, these students have been unable to find success n the regular classroom for a variety of reasons, including lack of motivation and encouragement, inattentiveness, refusal to cooperate with teachers and classmates, and drug or alcohol abuse. We teach these students the standard subjects for grades 5 through 12. Just as importantly, we teach them how to follow directions, accept criticism, stay focused, complete assignments, solve problems, and set goals. Success is defined as both adequate yearly progress toward IEP goals, 8th grade and high school graduation, and the possibility of students being able to mainstream back to their home schools. 

The Joseph Academy program provides a structured, nurturing environment for its students. A detailed and extensive point system and level system allows the students to evaluate their behaviors in terms of appropriate or inappropriate behaviors, and to make positive adjustments to their actions and behaviors. There are daily and weekly incentives for students showing positive academic and social/emotional behavior.