St. Joseph's C.B.S.
Drogheda, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,128 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 170 girls, 958 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63840C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Joseph’s C.B.S. is a co‑educational secondary school in Drogheda that operates under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian values, emphasising care, justice and partnership with families. Its mission highlights the development of each pupil’s unique gifts, fostering self‑confidence, life‑skills and a strong self‑image through a balanced curriculum that blends academic rigour with personal growth. The educational approach is centred on the five key elements of an Edmund Rice school: nurturing faith and spirituality, promoting community partnership, excelling in teaching and learning, creating a caring environment and inspiring transformational leadership. St Joseph’s offers a comprehensive Junior Cycle and a range of senior‑cycle options, supported by dedicated pastoral care and a focus on inclusive education for pupils with additional needs. Facilities support a vibrant school life, with a strong emphasis on sport and physical education, reflected in the provision of PE uniforms and a dedicated sports programme. The school maintains up‑to‑date resources such as an online calendar, digital prospectus, and a parent‑focused information hub, ensuring smooth transition for incoming first‑years and ongoing communication with families.
Applying to St. Joseph's C.B.S.
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
View St. Joseph's C.B.S.'s own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to St. Joseph's C.B.S.. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St. Joseph's C.B.S.
How many pupils attend St. Joseph's C.B.S.?
St. Joseph's C.B.S. has 1,128 pupils enrolled, 170 girls and 958 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Joseph's C.B.S. a DEIS school?
No. St. Joseph's C.B.S. is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of St. Joseph's C.B.S.?
St. Joseph's C.B.S. has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.