Saxony Lutheran region's newest parochial school

Just north of Cape Girardeau, the first signs of a new building are visible on the east side of Interstate 55. Right now, it's just rearranged dirt, stakes in the ground and concrete footings.

However barren it may currently appear, the 40-acre site is a sign of widespread progress among Southeast Missouri parochial schools.

Over the past 12 months, local parochial schools have seen significant growth in everything from technology and academic programs to new facilities, like the one Saxony Lutheran High School is building in Fruitland, Mo.

More than 2,200 students attend Cape Girardeau County's 10 parochial schools, and the numbers continue to climb each year.

At Saxony Lutheran, enrollment has nearly doubled each year since the school's opening in 2000.

The school, which has 58 students this year, broke ground at the end of 2003 on a building to replace temporary facilities at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Phase one of the construction project, which includes space for 175 students, is expected to be completed by next December.

Additional classrooms eventually will be added in a second phase of construction, as enrollment is expected to continue increasing. The school's co-principal, Betty Deardorff, said she expects up to 85 students next year.

"I think parents are realizing how very important it is for children to have a Christian education," Deardorff said.

Not far from where Saxony Lutheran students are currently attending classes, another parochial school has taken a big step forward.

While no new construction will take place, Cape Christian School is in the process of expanding its kindergarten-through-sixth-grade program to include seventh and eighth grades.

The school, which has been open since 1975, will phase in seventh grade next year and add eighth grade in the fall of 2005.

Cape Christian School parent Julie Bell, who has a sixth-grader at the school, said the expansion is a blessing for her family.

"We weren't sure what we were going to do after this year, but we considered home schooling," Bell said. "And then this happened, and we're very excited."

Immaculate Conception School in Jackson is in the process of rebuilding after a tornado destroyed much of the school in the spring of 2003. Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau is in the middle of a fund-raising campaign to build a new $1.5 million gymnasium.

The school, which serves 186 students in preschool through eighth grade, began raising money last year and has obtained about 45-percent of the total cost so far. According to principal Elizabeth Babchak, the long-range plan is to convert the present gym space into a new library and offices.

"I think part of this growth is because parents are getting more involved in their children's education, and they're seeing the needs we have," Babchak said.

Several parochial schools, including Deer Creek Christian Academy and St. Mary Cathedral School, added new classes and new teachers to their programs in the past year.

At St. Mary Cathedral School in Cape Girardeau, a classroom was added and renovations of an office and library were completed.

At Notre Dame Regional High School, program changes and technology updates in the past year have taken place with the help of grants. Science requirements have been increased, and the school is in the process of adding a broadcast class through Southeast Missouri State University next fall.

The continuous expansions have helped the school grow by around 20 students annually for the past five years, said principal Brother David Migliorino.

"I think the big difference in our school is kids want to be here," he said. "Parents are pleased with our product. They want a gospel-based education."

cclark@semissourian.com

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