Two private secondary schools in Athens County closed their doors before this school year because of dropping enrollment and soaring costs, leaving interested families with just one option - Nelsonville Christian Academy.
Last summer Grace Academy in Albany and River Valley Community School in Athens were financially forced to shut their doors to students.
(River Valley Community School) closed because of finances
said Connie Winters, a founding member, parent and teacher of the school. We did massive cutbacks before we had to close but it came down to not having enough students enrolled which occurred for many reasons - demographics being one of them.
River Valley Community School was an alternative private elementary school while Grace Academy was a Baptist-affiliated private school.
Albany Baptist Church's senior pastor, Mike Rose, also said economics was the primary factor in Grace Academy's closing.
(Running the school) was becoming difficult to handle
so instead of degrading the program
we opted to close the school down
Rose said.
Both schools have drastically different curriculums but experienced difficulty maintaining enrollment, showing that affiliation did not have an affect on either schools' forced closure.
Nelsonville Christian Academy is the only private school available in Athens County. It enrolls 40 students from pre-kindergarten to tenth grade.
Tuition costs $1,500 a year and $1,200 for students whose families make less than $25,000 annually.
Nelsonville Christian Academy opened about 15 years ago, Principal Wendy Sayers said. It was originally called Nelsonville Christian School, which eventually changed to Nelsonville Christian Academy when the school moved into the Risen Redeemer Full Gospel Church and its charter began.
We primarily use the Abeka curriculum
Sayers said. It's a Christian curriculum used by many Christian schools nationwide.
The Abeka curriculum integrates Christian beliefs into class lessons. For example, in grammar class, students will use scripture verses, and in science class they will learn both evolution and creationism, Sayers said.
The necessity of Christian education is to raise young boys and girls with good moral standards and conduct
she said. Rose said he believes it's important that private schools are available to offer families alternatives.
The big public school just doesn't work for everyone
he said. Private schools allow students to be taught what parents value
such as religion
which is not available in public schools.
Most River Valley Community School students are doing well in public schools, Winters said, but that it's just not the same.
In order for there to be really good education
