St. Joseph Elementary School in Coraopolis is opening its doors today for the 58th year, thanks to parents, parishioners and faculty who raised $326,800 in pledges and donations in just six weeks.

While the efforts of supporters from St. Joseph were successful in keeping their school open, rallies and pleas by parents of children attending SS. Simon & Jude in Scott and St. John of God in McKees Rocks failed.

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh closed those two schools, forcing parents to find alternatives.

Last March, it looked as if St. Joseph School, too, would close after losing grants that had helped keep the school financially solvent for the past 10 years.

But, the grass-roots fundraising drive persuaded the diocese to approve operations for the 2010-2011 year.

The school year begins today for first through eighth grades and tomorrow for kindergarten. The preschool program for 3-year-old students starts Sept. 7 and for 4-year-olds Sept. 8.

There are 86 children enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight and 20 in preschool, said the Rev. Richard Jones, pastor. Last year, the kindergarten to grade eight enrollment was 112.

Because of the drop in that enrollment, 21/2 teaching positions had to be cut, or there would have been an $80,000 deficit, Father Jones said.

"Hopefully we will be small and strong," Father Jones said. "We will give it our best effort. We are pruning back and looking for new growth."If enrollment continues to drop "we would have to keep cutting teachers. We are going to give it a go."

Meanwhile, the Beaver County Christian School starts the new school year Tuesday with an enrollment of 213 students in kindergarten through grade 12, which is about the same as last year.

New additions this year includes four new elementary teachers and added technology including "white boards."

With audio enhancement equipment added in kindergarten and first grade, students "can hear the teacher better," principal Mary Lou Capon said.

Grades nine through 12 attend the Merriman Campus in Beaver Falls. Kindergarten through grade eight attend the West Park Campus in West Mayfield.

Earlier this month an announcement on that site said the school planned to expand its busing area to include the Aliquippa, Ambridge and Hopewell school districts.

That busing expansion has been canceled, Mrs. Capan said, because families in those school district did not express interest.

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