School growth

Enrollment at private schools in the area appears healthy.

In a study of numbers released by local private schools, overall enrollment in private schools is on the rise, which is impressive, particularly in light of the economic climate the last five years.

Notre Dame Regional High School and Saxony Lutheran High School are particularly healthy, with increases of 14 percent and 6 percent since 2008. Prodigy Leadership Academy, an upstart school, has gone from 19 students to 113 in just five years.

To be showing such growth, these schools must be meeting educational and faith-based demand of parents.

Far more children still attend public schools. Cape Girardeau's school district has increased its enrollment by 8 percent, while Jackson increased its enrollment by 1.2 percent since 2008. That number may surprise some. Jackson's population growth has increased at a higher rate than Cape Girardeau for several years.

On the whole, the Cape Girardeau area is blessed to have some good schools, both private and public.

Having choices regarding education and a child's upbringing is important to any community. It appears there are plenty of good choices in Cape Girardeau County.