SCOTT CITY -- In 1982, only 41 students packed into the three-classroom schoolhouse in Scott City known as the Christian Faith Academy. At the time the school was accepting students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Now, 12 years later, the academy has moved to Cape Girardeau and is preparing to build a new facility here that will include a gymnasium and several classrooms. And now it offers classes through 12th grade.

The new school will open in fall 1995 with a capacity for 150 students. To get a head start on a private Christian education, the academy is now accepting applications for the 1994-95 school year.

"Our school is growing and we want to be able to offer better facilities for the students, especially the students in the high school," said Janice Margrabe, principal.

Christian Faith Academy has the ability to offer a low teacher-student ratio, allowing it to develop an intense and productive academic environment. The national testing results indicate that the majority of students are at or above the national norms for their groups. All teachers are state certified and teacher-aids are used when necessary.

"The students here get a lot of individual attention," Margrabe said. "Everyone here works at their own capacity."

The school uses ABeka as its core curriculum. The nationally recognized curriculum emphasizes math and reading, and it teaches history and science according to biblical principles.

The high school uses a variety of course schedules tailored individually for each student. The school requires that graduates score grades on the SAT or the ACT that would allow entrance into the college environment.

Although most of the students are from families that attend the school's church, Christian Faith Fellowship, the school admits students who are not associated with the church.

Christian Faith Academy accepts a limited number of students each year. For more information or to enroll call the school office at (314) 339-1811.