Nestled between two busy roads linking Whitehall Township with the City of Allentown, and near heavily traveled Route 22, St. Elizabeth Regional School located on Pershing Boulevard in Fullerton's section of Whitehall Township, seems oblivious to nearby traffic.

Inside the halls of the parochial school, classes for the student body began Monday, Aug. 27, more than a week earlier than area public schools, which opened Tuesday for the 2012-13 school year.

Principal Sister Anita, the only nun at the Fullerton-based school, continues in her role of heading the school, its students, curriculum, teachers and administration, a role she has held for many years.

The student enrollment for the new school year is 172 boys and girls, kindergarten through eighth grade. The enrollment is down by eight students from the previous school year when the student body was at 180 children.

Although a time of economic downturn, the school and its principal are optimistic about the school's future.

"There are 30 boys and girls in the kindergarten class and there is a waiting list," Sister Anita said. The school also has an active preschool program for children under the kindergarten age.

The school is presently in the process of upgrading its computers. Technology is taught on all grade levels at the school.

Adding to its teaching corps for the new school year are special education teachers.

While the majority of the student body are bused or driven to school by their parents, Sister Anita said the enrollment would be higher if the Allentown School District would permit busing some of its children in the city to St. Elizabeth's. Currently no program exists.

St. Elizabeth Regional School serves the township, St. Mary's, Catasauqua and parishes in Allentown and other areas.

The curriculum is broad-based, offering math, science, technology, extra curricular activities and religion.