Private schools see higher enrollment

The economic downturn has yet to affect enrollment numbers at Augusta's private schools.

At Augusta Preparatory Day School, enrollment is up 3 percent, from 553 pupils last year to 570 this year, Headmaster Jack Hall said. Prep, Augusta's most expensive private school, is 35 to 40 children from being full.

When he moved to Augusta nine years ago, Mr. Hall was told this area of the state tends to be isolated from weak national economies, and that has proven true, he said.

It's still early, but the number of applications for next year are ahead of where they were last year, Mr. Hall said, attributing Augusta Prep's success to a host of factors.

"I'm biased, but I think we have a great school and a great faculty," he said.

Augusta Prep isn't alone.

Augusta Christian Schools has about 50 more pupils this fall than it had planned for, interim Headmaster John Bartlett said.

"To date, we have not experienced the effects of the sagging economy," Dr. Bartlett said.

Augusta Christian has earned a reputation for its academics, athletics, fine arts and, above all, its family atmosphere, he said.

Westminster Schools of Augusta is also experiencing higher enrollment figures, and enrollments are holding steady at Curtis Baptist School, Episcopal Day School and Aquinas High School, according to officials at those schools.

Private school enrollment has been fairly constant during past recessions, said Myra McGovern, the director of public relations for the National Association of Independent Schools.

"However, past recessions were not like this," she said. "Everything seems to be tanking, and again that could just be my impression."

What's happening with the economy could bode poorly for private school enrollment next year, Ms. McGovern said. Most private schools operate on a calendar in which parents apply in the fall and learn in the spring whether their children have been accepted. Withdrawing pupils now wouldn't make sense because tuition was likely paid before the economic slide.

It's too early to cite specific figures, but there has been an increase in the number of families asking for financial assistance, Ms. McGovern said.

Augusta Prep is watching applications for the 2009-10 school year, Mr. Hall said, and is considering increasing its budget for financial aid, anticipating a greater need.

Dr. Bartlett shares his concern. He wouldn't be surprised to see more families asking for financial aid to attend Augusta Christian. If the economy continues to decline, enrollment could be affected in the second semester, he said.

Some Georgia schools are already being affected, said Michael Drake, the executive director of the Georgia Independent School Association.

Dr. Drake said some schools in middle Georgia have lost significant numbers of pupils. Independent schools in Atlanta, however, have had steady enrollments, largely thanks to long waiting lists and the city's diverse economy.

Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.