EAGLE RIDGE STUDENTS ADJUST TO NEW SCHOOL

Eagle Ridge Christian School students had several new things to adjust to Monday.

Students this week entered a new building, were required to wear new school uniforms and marked the beginning of a new preschool program.

Some 120 students from as far away as Southern Illinois and Patton have enrolled, an increase of 33 percent from last year.

The larger enrollment is due largely to the school's new 30,000-square-foot building a mile west of Interstate 55 along Route K, said Principal Janice Margrabe.

Enrollment was limited last year after the school leased to house high school students was sold.

The new building can serve 300 students in preschool through 12th grades.

"We have students that drive a pretty good distance to attend school here," Margrabe said. "We have no plans for buses this year, but that may be a consideration in the future."

Eagle Ridge, originally named the Christian Faith Academy, was opened in Scott City in 1982 by the Christian Faith Fellowship Church. The school was moved to Cape Girardeau in 1994 to be more centrally located, and enrollment increased following that move.

Eventually the small classrooms in the church basement could not hold all the students, so the school moved high school students to another building. All classes were again held in one building after the high school closed last year, and the decision to build the $1 million school was made.

Students from numerous religious denominations and about 30 different churches attend Eagle Ridge, which teaches basic Bible courses and uses the A Beka Christian curriculum. The Little Eagles' Learning Center, which opened this semester, also uses the A Beka curriculum to teach phonics, math and social studies to 2- and 3-year-olds.

The school has received provisional accreditation from the International Christian Accrediting Association, said Margrabe. The educational skills the students receive are similar to those developed in public schools, but students also are versed in Christian morals and principles.

"We think we've been successful because we're here to service the needs of the people," she said. "We're training the kids in those (Christian) skills so they're already started in that style."

Parents said they were impressed with the new building's overall attractiveness, and larger classrooms mean lower student-teacher ratios and more space for students to move around in.

Another addition parents appreciated was the school's new gymnasium, which will allow junior and senior high school students to compete in the Ozark Christian Athletic Association and Missouri Christian School Athletic Association state tournaments.

Older students may participate in varsity volleyball, baseball, softball and basketball. The sports have been available for the past four years, but this will be the first year the school won't have to rent a gymnasium.

Margrabe said the school's goal is to one day be big enough to become a member of the Missouri High School Athletics Association, which governs athletics for public schools and larger private schools.

Sarah Hess of Chaffee said she especially likes the school's move to khaki-, navy- and burgundy-colored uniforms. Hess' 8-year-old daughter, Kassy, has attended Eagle Ridge for three years.

"I love it," said Hess. "I don't have to argue with Kassy about what to wear every morning. Every parent I've talked to said they like them because the kids are all in the same color combinations, but they don't have to wear the exact same outfit."

Margrabe said the school still has enrollment openings, and parents can call (573) 339-1335 about enrollment.