St Joseph Catholic School, Ost

One hundred and forty-five years ago, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ost was founded (1880) by German settlers, moving from the American north and east, seeking the space and freedoms of the Kansas life. The immigrants bought their farms, tilled the soil, and built their homes surrounding the central core and heart of their lives: The Catholic Faith!

Further, to better pass on the Sacred Tradition of the Faith, the St. Joseph community established a Catholic school one hundred and thirty-three years ago (1892). Later, in 1922, a three level school was built and dedicated. (This school building still serves the education of third through eighth grade). In 1965, with the advent of statewide unification, the Renwick School District was formed. The district was comprised of St. Joe Elementary in Reno County, and several neighboring schools in Sedgwick County. In 2004, the district elected to close the school building in St. Joe, and was contractually obligated to return it to the Diocese of Wichita. St. Joseph Parish quickly acted upon the opportunity and reopened the building as well as the other parish facilities to form the new St. Joseph Catholic School.

Admissions to the area's only Catholic school began to rise. In 2011, a new gymnasium and additional classrooms were built to meet the needs of the growing school.  We are now in our 21st school year since our reopening and inclusion as a Catholic school in the Wichita Diocese.  The 2025-26 school year has brought us 220 students in Pre-K through 8th grades, with 32 students in our preschool program and 188 students in K-8.

Our thriving school entirely depends on the faithful who continue to give so generously of their time, talent, and treasure.  We ask that you consider supporting us (and praying for us!) as we daily commit ourselves to creating young disciples who seek the Truth, grow to love it, and learn to live it.

If you would like to read more on the history of our parish or school, please click here for a link to our website.