The Curriculum at St. Joseph's College is developed in the tradition of Salesian education and the Preventative System whereby our teachers develop caring and nurturing relationships with each student. As a part of our Catholic community, curriculum is developed to meet the needs of our boys in an ever changing world as teachers walk the journey with the boys as they develop into young men.

Students are taught to be lifelong learners and independent problem solvers who accept responsibility for their learning. Students develop the skills of research and enquiry and are encouraged to question the values of modern society in the light of the Gospel. The mainstream curriculum and extra-curricula activities are integrated to help students select a vocation to follow in life and set goals to achieve it. The Curriculum is structured to ensure that all students experience success and are at the same time challenged to strive for academic excellence. To this end, the learning environment is commensurate with each student's individual abilities and interests.

Religious Education is central to our mission as a Catholic School and therefore is a compulsory subject from Years 7 to 12. The Junior Curriculum provides an excellent transition to Secondary School as the Learning Enhancement and Achievement Program (LEAP) employs some of the methods and approaches of primary education.

In Year 9 Students enter our Valdocco Campus. The program at this separate campus aims to meet the needs of our boys during this important stage in their development. Foundation studies of Literacy, Numeracy and Religious Education are emphasized while our integrated Discovery programs provide practical links to the world and encourage higher order thinking skills. Challenge units allow students to specialize at Valdocco and we also spend considerable time planning for the future. This Futures Program ensures that students have an effective pathway through the senior school and beyond.

The Year 10 program is linked with the VCE allowing each student the opportunity to move into accelerated learning programs by undertaking VCE studies as a part of their elective program. All courses are informed by the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and the VCE Study Designs developed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Student promotion is conditional upon each student meeting the requirements of the Student Promotion Policy.