VIENNA — The Visitation Inter-Parish School celebrated its building’s 100th birthday on June 13 with an open-house tour and various events at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The school’s purpose is giving children a “well-rounded” education while developing a Catholic faith in Jesus Christ, and serves the parishes of Holy Guardian Angels in Brinktown and St. Aloysius in Argyle. Educating preschool through eighth grade, the school officials are projecting enrollment to be about 64 students next year.

The opening ceremony honored the veterans in attendance, followed by the Rev. Basil Tigga giving a blessing for the school. Attendees were invited to tour the classrooms. Celebrations continued at the Knights of Columbus Hall, featuring live music, concessions and games. Mass was held in the evening.

The school opened operations in 1893 in a single-room building. Church members in 1915-16 recognized the need for expansion, and the project progressed until completion in 1926.

Principal Maggie Rush believes that this event is important because it brings community members, families and alumni together. She said that the celebration is not just 100 years of the building.

“It’s 100 years of faith and just togetherness,” Rush said.

While Rush didn’t want to do a direct comparison with Maries R-1 because it has different standards, she believes that the advantage of the school is that faith is incorporated into the education. For example, the students start and end the day in prayer.

“We’re just blessed that we get to teach the faith every day and incorporate it into every part of our lives,” Rush said.

The school also has combined classes for first and second grades, third and fourth grades, and fifth and sixth grades. Rush believes that this increases the rigor because — while the assignments different between grades — students hear instruction above their learning level.

For extra-curricular activities like sports and Future Farmers of America (FFA), the school partners with Maries County R-1 School District.