CLEVELAND -- As many families face job loss and pay cuts, private schools struggle to keep parents from withdrawing their children from their schools.

"We have seen the number of families in financial trouble increase a lot," says Toni Lambert of Cleveland Central Catholic High School.

Many families work in the office or clean the school to make money toward tuition. Tuition is $6400 a year, and students can earn $1500 for working at the school.

"It helps my family," says Victor Benton, a sophomore. Victor and other students have helped clean, paint, mow and carry equipment into classrooms this summer to earn tuition credit.

Another school in North Canton, Fieldcrest Montessori, faced possible closure over low enrollment. They only had about 13 students this summer. Parents rallied to save the school and now have 65 students. They hope to have 100 by September.

"It comes down to what can I cut to pay the bills, and sometimes it is private school tuition," says Alan Plastow, a parent who campaigned to save the school. Parents plan to donate classroom supplies to help the school in the fall.

Some public schools are starting to see more private school students transferring because parents can't afford tuition anymore. In some cases, that could mean schools need to add teachers to handle increased enrollment.