Berkshire County’s only Catholic high school is closing at the end of the school year. The diocese says sagging enrollment at St. Joseph Central in Pittsfield is to blame.

Just 68 students attend the school, which opened in 1897 and has been at its current location since 1942.

Diocese of Springfield spokesperson Mark Dupont said a shrinking overall population, along with charter schools and school choice have hurt enrollment. He said the diocese will spend about $1 million this year alone at St. Joseph.

“If you divide that by the number of non-international students, that comes out to about $17,000 of additional diocesan funding needed per student, on top of the tuition they’re paying,” Dupont said. “That just simply wasn’t a long term plan that was financially viable for the diocese to support.”

One prominent alumnus is state Senator Ben Downing, a 1999 graduate who was inducted into the school’s hall of fame this year. Downing said he’s saddened — but not surprised — by the announcement. Downing said the school, known as “St. Joe’s,” will leave behind a rich legacy.

“It’s a place and a community that did a great deal to shape my ethics and my values,” Downing said. “It’s a community and an institution that’s given a great deal back to the city and the county.”

The Springfield Diocese will be down to just two high schools: St. Mary’s in Westfield and Pope Francis High, which came about after a merger of Springfield’s Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic.