Public, private schools see enrollment fluctuate [The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.]

Aug. 30--BLOOMINGTON -- Enrollment has fluctuated this fall at private and public schools as parents find themselves making education decisions based on changes in tuition, programs, religion, new buildings and location.

For example: Bloomington District 87 has 65 new students who previously attended parochial and private schools. St. Mary's School in Pontiac, a Catholic school, has almost the same enrollment as last year. Cornerstone Christian Academy, Bloomington, is down about 20 students, but Calvary Christian School in Normal gained 23 students.

The increase in District 87 is "up 13 from last year, and almost double 2008," said Superintendent Barry Reilly, noting the percentage of private and parochial transfers has grown to 14 percent.

Normal-based Unit 5, with an enrollment of just over 13,000 for the first time, has 174 new students who transferred from private and parochial schools, said Superintendent Gary Niehaus. The district has had more students transfer into Unit 5 in the last two years, but he noted some families also transfer from public to private schools.

Trinity Lutheran School K-8 enrollment is steady at 388 students, but Principal Shawn Hoffmann said money is behind parents choosing to send their young children either to daycare, preschool or keep them at home.

Trinity charges $670 for a two-day preschool program for its members, and $1,000 for community members. The two youngest children of Steve and Penny Tower of Bloomington attend Trinity and their oldest attends Central Catholic High School.

"For us, we are members of Trinity Lutheran Church; we know the staff, the principal, and have a tremendous amount of trust," said Steve Trower, a partner in Clay Dooley Tire and Auto Service. He likes that his children can pray in school and their education reflects family values.

At Calvary Christian School in Normal, student population increased by 8 percent to 316. The 23 new students included 10 high schoolers. Principal Paul Swanson attributed the increase to good test scores and improved facilities.

"We had a good response to our upgrades," which include new computer stations and new course, he said. Changing the name from Calvary Baptist also may have also played a role, he said.

Enrollment is steady at 196 at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, said Principal Sharon Warfield, although some students enrolled after Pontiac Grade School District 429 cut its arts and music programs.

Enrollment increased by 10, to 183, at St. Mary's Elementary in Bloomington. "We believe the community took a closer look at the new things we've done," said Principal Mark Csanda, noting a remodeled library, beefed-up music and art programs and class sizes of about 20.

The population increased to 73 students, from between 50 to 60, at Blooming Grove Academy in Bloomington after a tuition cutoff about $1,500 last year and financial reductions for parent volunteerism, said business manager Jodi Stalworth. Full-day tuition for the school, which has students age 3 to eighth grade, is $4,800.

At Central Catholic, where enrollment is below 400, the Bloomington school is developing a long-term strategic plan to encourage parents to continue in the Catholic system, said Principal Joy Allen. Tuition is $5,690 for a Catholic student and $7,365 for non-Catholics, but the church subsidizes the actual $9,125 cost.

One of its feeder schools, Epiphany in Normal, was down about 24 students from last year to 403 students. The school raised its tuition from $2,730 to $3,940.

"We have families moving in and families moving out every year," said Principal Richard Morehouse.

At Cornerstone, where tuition varies from $6,200 to $6,600 based on grade level, development director April Kinzinger thinks the enrollment drop is likely "the economy. ... It's had an impact everywhere."

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