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Private schools add classrooms, expand programs for more students

By Phyllis Coulter
pcoulter@pantagraph.com

BLOOMINGTON — Other private schools are moving, adding programs and adjusting to societal changes that affect their student makeup and enrollment. | Photo gallery

Life Crossings

Life Crossings Academy, 1311 Hovey, Normal, will nearly double its enrollment when it moves to Victory Christian Center, 1880 U.S. 150, Bloomington, later this month.

“We are in the midst of much newness. We are just thrilled,” director Lyn Mounce said. The school serves second- to 12th-graders and grew from 22 to 38 students this year.

The school was founded in 1994 as McLean County Christian School. The school maintains a ratio of one teacher for every 10 students, and is known for its program for students with dyslexia.

“We have a sense of permanency now, and will continue to grow as God allows,” she said. The next growth likely will add kindergarten and first grade.

“We want to take measured steps,” she said. “Being small was always part of our charm.”

An open house will be noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the new building.

Registration continues and classes start Aug. 31.

Hammitt

Hammitt Junior High School, 1500 Fort Jesse Road, Suite A, Normal, has a new name, new programs, more space and nine new teachers.

The private, special education high school grew from 40 to 62 students by adding junior high classes and a program for students with severe autism.

“The Baby Fold’s expansion comes in response to a growing need for special education of severe needs students, particularly in the area of autism,” spokesman Pete Moore said.

The school, for students with behavioral and emotional problems, is part of The Baby Fold, a child and family support agency in Normal.

The $88,450 expansion includes new classrooms, converting a loading dock into a recreation area, and expanding life skills training rooms.

Calvary Baptist, CentralCatholic

Half of Calvary Baptist School’s students are members of the same church, and the other half come from other churches or non-churchgoing families.

“In the last five years, a lot of community people are interested in private education,” Principal Jill Donnell said. This year, 48 percent of the 320 K-12 students come from Calvary Baptist Church. The church and school both are at 1017 N. School St., Normal.

Big draws include some newer programs, such as electives, volunteer opportunities and an accelerated college entrance program with Heartland Community College.

Central Catholic High School, 1201 Airport Road, Bloomington, has topped 400 students with its fall enrollment, the first time since the 1980s, spokesman Chuck Schanaberger said.

He attributes the jump from 375 students to general community growth, new facilities, tradition and the school’s religious nature and academic record.

Mulberry, Blooming Grove

Mulberry School, 1101 Douglas St., Normal, educates 3- to 9-year-olds. Academic director Brenda Nardi said there is more competition for preschoolers, especially the 3-year-olds.

The school may drop one half-day class and one full-day class, but those could be reinstated if there is more interest. The school has a short waiting list, she said.

Blooming Grove Academy, 510 E. Washington St., Bloomington, has about 130 students from first to eighth grade. It also still has openings, director Vicki Kennedy said.

Families are drawn to its small classes, academic success, lessons in problem-solving and positive discipline program, she said.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran School, 1102 W. Hamilton Road, Bloomington, and its church celebrate their 150th birthday this year.

The school has remodeled a computer lab into a modern multimedia center with interactive whiteboards, Principal Shawn Hoffman said. The school also has hired its first assistant principal, Donna Smith, and added sports fields.

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Minister Ed Herald, chief minister at Victory Christian Center, his son, Jarrod Herald, a minister at Victory Christian Center, also a minister and Ed Herald's wife, Beth, build a sound room for the sanctuary of the new church, located on U.S. 150 south of Bloomington, Friday, August 10, 2007. (Pantagraph, David Proeber)

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