St. Joseph's first parochial school was built around 1896 and stood in the same location as the present school. A two-story frame building, contained living quarters for the Franciscan Sisters. A tiny chapel was later added to the west end. The school opened under the management of three Franciscan Sisters of Charity from Manitowoc, Wi, with an enrollment of 68 pupils, never to go any higher. It closed in 1906 with enrollment down to 40. At that time, there were 4 Benedictine sisters on the staff and reportedly friction existed between the pastor and various sisters; actual cause is unknown.
Soliciting pledges for the new school began in 1940 with Fr. McGuire. The old frame school became a chicken house with it was bought by Robert Rohowetz for $300 and moved to his farm. New Building operations commenced the following year and by the end of April four spacious classrooms plus a large basement recreation area were ready for use. Dedication ceremony took place January 20, 1942. Classes commenced two weeks later with 80 enrolled students. By 1954 it was obvious that larger quarters were needed, so a fourth classroom addition was built into the east end, plus a kitchen-gymnasium to the south. Cost was $107,541.