CHARTER CLASS AT FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GRADUATES

When Christian Faith Academy held its commencement last week, it likely had one of the shortest ceremonies in the area -- that's because Robert Collier and Matthew Margrabe were the only students enrolled in the Class of 1996.

Both students were members of the charter class at the school. They enrolled in a 4-year-old kindergarten program when the school first opened its doors in 1982 in Scott City.

The school is in the process of earning accreditation from the International Christian Accreditation Association, which is similar to the public school accreditation program. It is the third high school in Cape Girardeau.

During the last 14 years, Christian Faith Academy has doubled in size, moved locations and made plans to build a new school along Route K. But the school is not an evangelism tool for the church, said Principal Janice Margrabe.

"We have high academic standards with Christian morals and values," Margrabe said. "It's not an evangelistic tool for the church. We provide a Christian environment."

Its solid Christian environment has been a selling point for the school -- enrollment doubled last fall. About half the students come from the congregation at Christian Faith Fellowship while the remainder represent 17 different churches in the area, Margrabe said.

The school moved from Scott City to Cape Girardeau two years ago to be in a more central location. Students from Marble Hill, Commerce and Southern Illinois are enrolled for the fall. Each student must have a home church and pastor before they are accepted at the school, Margrabe said.

"We want the students to be proud of the school," she said. "We want them to know it's a privilege to attend here. There are three parts to each student: the spirit, soul and body. We can't neglect any part of that in their training."

The school is just an extension of what the parents are teaching, Margrabe said. "The parents take responsibility."

However, the students don't neglect any of their responsibilities. Most score above their grade level on standardized tests like the Stanford Achievement Test. "Colleges look at test scores and academic records," said Margrabe, adding that both graduates received academic scholarships.

Because class sizes are relatively small -- the largest was 14 and the smallest was nine -- students receive individual attention. "That is one of the drawing points," Margrabe said. "We have some combined classrooms but that's how education began in this country."

The combined classes are a benefit for most students. It's a review for the second-graders and interesting for the first-graders. Sometimes it's hard to keep some children from answering questions asked of another class, she said.