Total parochial school enrollment down

By Teresa Stowell of the Daily Times staff
Friday, September 19, 2008 11:07 PM CDT

While some parochial schools have seen a slight increase in enrollment others have shown a decrease. Overall most schools have stayed consistent in student enrollment over the past year.

This year a total of 2,483 students are attending parochial schools in Watertown. That's down 181 from last year's total of 2,569.

Maranatha Baptist Bible College showed a decrease in enrollment with 858 in attendance, down 37 students from last year. College officials said these numbers often fluctuate throughout the year as guest students and graduate students enroll in different courses.

St. Mark's Lutheran School increased in enrollment by 10 students as well as Calvary Baptist Christian School by 15 students.

Faith Lutheran School held the same number of enrolled students as the year before.

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Overall the preschool through eighth-grade enrollments decreased by 50 to 1,206 students, while high school enrollments increased slightly by 1 student to 419.

Following is a list of enrollments in local parochial schools:

Maranatha Baptist Bible College - freshmen, 237; sophomores, 206; juniors, 141; seniors, 216; graduate students, 38; guest students, 20. Total 858.

Luther Preparatory School - freshmen, 92; sophomores, 74; juniors, 91; seniors, 73. Total 330.

Maranatha Baptist Academy - freshmen, 17; sophomores, 16; juniors, 26; seniors, 30. Total 89.

Faith Lutheran School - preschool, 3; prekindergarten, 6; 4-year-old kindergarten, 3; kindergarten, 3; first grade, 5; second grade, 3; third grade, 2; fourth grade, 4; fifth grade, 2; sixth grade 4; seventh grade, 3; eighth grade, 3. Total 41.

Good Shepherd Lutheran School - preschool, 11; 4-year-old preschool, 23; kindergarten, 8; first grade, 6; second grade, 12; third grade, 6; fourth grade, 18; fifth grade, 5; sixth grade, 4; seventh grade, 5; eighth grade, 6. Total 104.

St. Mark's Lutheran School - preschool, 10; 4-year old preschool, 19; kindergarten, 18; first grade, 22; second grade, 36; third grade, 21; fourth grade, 26; fifth grade, 28; sixth grade, 30; seventh grade, 24; eighth grade, 29. Total 263.

St. John's Lutheran School - preschool, 22; 4-year-old kindergarten, 20; kindergarten, 19; first grade, 13; second grade, 13; third grade, 16; fourth grade, 12; fifth grade, 4; sixth grade, 9; seventh grade, 17; eighth grade, 10. Total 155.

Calvary Baptist Christian School - kindergarten, 7; first grade, 10; second grade, 10; third grade, 11; fourth grade, 12; fifth grade, 16; sixth grade, 14; seventh grade, 18; eighth grade, 20. Total 118.

Trinity-St. Luke's Lutheran School - preschool, 14; kindergarten, 23; first grade, 19; second grade, 28; third grade, 17; fourth grade, 35; fifth grade, 18; sixth grade, 22; seventh grade, 34; eighth grade, 21. Total 231.

St. Bernard's Catholic School - preschool, 11; 4-year-old kindergarten, 33; kindergarten, 20; first grade, 12; second grade, 23; third grade, 17; fourth grade, 23; fifth grade, 11. Total 150.

St. Henry's Catholic School - 4-year-old kindergarten, 19; kindergarten, 15; first grade, 16; second grade, 15; third grade, 7; fourth grade, 14; fifth grade 23; sixth grade, 12; seventh grade 12; eighth grade, 11. Total 144.

St. Henry's School enrollment went down slightly from last year.

“Given all the crowdedness in the public schools I was a little surprised we didn't have a few more students enroll,” Francine Butzine, principal, said.

The school has had a number of changes and new things happening over the summer and at the start of the school year. Butzine said the parish purchased the corner lot near the school which will be converted into additional playground and parking area for the school and church.

A big project this summer included the carpeting of the entire top floor of the school. Butzine said the carpet helps to cut down on the noise between classrooms and with noise on the lower level.

Also new this year St. Henry's School has partnered with the Watertown School District to offer its 4-year-old kindergarten program.

“Other Catholic schools in the Madison diocese have partnered with public schools for their preschool program and have been very happy with the results,” Butzine said. “Our enrollment this year for the preschool program is full. We've been very happy with it.”