"The parish is 150 years old," said Jim Francis, St. Joseph School principal.

"And the social center is 100 years old, while the school building that houses preschool to sixth grade will be 50 years old this January."

Francis is in his seventh year as principal at St. Joseph and 41st year overall in education. He said there are 153 students enrolled in preschool through eighth grade, with 125 of those in kindergarten to eighth grade.

"That number is sustaining itself," he said. "We had two students transfer out and everyone returned.

"Retention is very important because retention means stability," he added. "Folks continue to make it a priority and that's a good thing.

"Our goal would be to have as many as 20 students per grade," he said.

Francis said in the 1983-84 school year, there were 234 students.

"In 1969, we had 45 eighth-graders," he said. "This year we have 16, which is our third-largest class."

The smallest class is fifth grade, with 10 students, while the biggest is fourth grade, with 19.

"Morale is good here," he said.

There are challenges, including decline in the birth rate.

"Eighty percent of families now have two children," Francis said. "Families are having fewer children.

"And there is a decline in the number of people in the pews. There is a loss of that strong connection."

Francis said the parish and school are a "package" deal.

"There's just a decline in church participation," he said. "That's the environment we live in. It promotes other things rather than the church connection."

Francis said during these tough economic times, many families have given up a lot so their child could attend St. Joseph School.

Francis also said when many area parish festivals struggled, St. Joseph's was a success.

"We sold 1,000 rib dinners and 2,400 chicken dinners," he said.

The teachers -- 12 overall with two aides -- choose St. Joseph's.

"Their salary is what it is," he said, adding the teachers took a pay freeze and are contributing to health insurance from their pockets now.

"You ask them, why are you here?" Francis said. "They are here because they want to be here. They are all faith practitioners. We pray together as a faculty and staff on Wednesday mornings."

There are 24 village schools within the diocese, Francis said,

Francis also noted there is a strong bond between St. Joseph School and Monroeville Local Schools.

"Our middle school, really, is just an extension of their junior high," he said.

About eight St. Joseph students take algebra and/or Spanish at Monroeville schools.

The Rev. Bill Pifher, pastor of St. Joseph, added to what Francis said.

"In today's times, it is a challenge to operate a school," Pifher said.

"And really, tuition covers less than half the cost of educating a student," he added. "The vitality of the school is linked to the parish. We're constantly thinking about how we can do things better without sacrificing the quality of education."

Pifher said it really is a balancing act, because some of his time is spent at St. Joseph's sister parish, St. Alphonsus.

"Without support, we can't exist," he said. "We're dealing with limited resources, which means we have to be efficient and creative."