DEMAND FOR RELIGION-BASED SCHOOLS IS GROWING

A trend that is highly visible in the Cape Girardeau area also is reflected in a national survey of religious schools: Construction of schools with religious ties is booming.

With the new Notre Dame High School and Eagle Ridge Christian School ready to open their doors this fall, Cape Girardeau is having its own spurt of school construction, which includes major projects in the public system as well. The Jackson School District continues to add facilities as well.

And the first tentative steps are being taken to explore the possibility of a Lutheran high school in Cape Girardeau.

Why the surge in religion-based schools? Safety is one key issue. An emphasis on high academic standards is another. Parochial schools tend to have smaller class sizes. There seem to be fewer problems with student behavior in church-affiliated schools. And many parents like the idea of religious training along with academics.

Religious schools in this area have solid reputations that attract many students from homes that do not necessarily share the same religious beliefs. This is a good indication that church-affiliated schools are filling a need -- a need that is likely to grow even stronger in the years ahead.