Helping students become skilled writers is an important part of Saint Joseph Academy’s mission of preparing our graduates for success in their college studies. All students in grades 9-12 are required to complete a yearly writing portfolio containing specific samples of their writing. The compilation of the writing portfolio will be under the direction of the student’s English teacher. The completion of the annual writing portfolio is a graduation requirement for all students. Members of the class of 2010 must have a completed portfolio for grades 11 and 12; for the class of 2011, the requirement will include grades 10, 11, and 12. For the class of 2012 and subsequent classes, the requirement will include a completed portfolio for each year in grades 9-12 in which they attended Saint Joseph Academy. Students whose portfolios are incomplete at the end of a semester will not receive an exam pass for semester exams until the portfolio requirement has been met.