NEWTOWN — When Miami Valley Christian Academy opened five years ago, 11 children were enrolled in kindergarten and first grade. This year, the school has 155 students in K-8 and will hold its first eighth-grade graduation.

        Dody Staker, director of development, attributes the steady rise in enrollment to parents' desire for a good education coupled with values.

        “Christian parents are finding they want their children immersed in a Christian environment,” Mrs. Staker said.

        A kindergarten open house is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the school, 6830 School St., Newtown. Parents and prospective kinder gartners can tour the building, meet the teachers and examine curriculum. The full-day kindergarten program includes weekly enrichment in music, art, Spanish, physical education and computer lab.

        A formal open house for all grade levels will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27.

        “All of our curriculum is biblically integrated,” Mrs. Staker said. “We teach the Bible every day. It's a graded subject just like math and science.”

        The private, nondenominational school draws students from 13 school districts and 45 churches.

        Karen Forgus of Anderson Township has three girls who attend Miami Valley Christian Academy, in grades 6, 5 and 3. She shops for schools and was looking for enrichment, such as foreign language and music, along with academics. She was impressed with the school.

        “I went for the bells and whistles, but after being in that building during the course of several months, I found an intangible simplicity.

        “They honor their kids. They respect their kids. There's a standard in the school the kids have to live up to. I like the fact there's common courtesy. There's rules. There's manners.”

        Miami Valley Christian Academy, located in the old Newtown Elementary, is buying the 53,000-square-foot building and will take ownership by fall 2001.

        The school has launched its first capital campaign, hoping to raise $3 million in three years.

Fate of school levy a matter of geography
Batsakes caps deal for space downtown
Get ready to wait for PlayStation2
Teacher may be on 'Survivor 2'
PULFER: Jerry Schmitz
School mourns boy killed by train
Drug sales by juveniles increasing?
Family center honors Berry
Glitch found in new DUI law
Anti-abortion group encourages votes for Lucas
Audit of stadium overruns to cost taxpayers $627K
CFC execs invest in court race
Christian school stresses Bible, enrichment
City looks to sell Blue Ash Airport
Coal sludge damage said to rival Alaska's Valdez oil spill
Dispatch center nearly complete, official says
Ex-Chiquita lawyer seeks Enquirer papers
Jail controversy affects Elsmere race
Lakota may cut staff if levy fails
Molester sentenced, thanks apprehenders
Montgomery boards need volunteers
N.Ky. man honored for photo of snake
New levy likely in Fairfield
Outside agency to probe police actions
Oxford manager well known
Police seek robber after bank holdup
Porn seller hustles to open store
Racist graffiti targeted by stadium workman
Sidewalks due after 14-year wait
SAMPLES: 'Sweetheart': sweet, or tart?
Warren Co. jail adding 14 beds
Halloween: Trick or Treat hours
In the Schools
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report