The Association of Christian Schools International, the world's largest Christian school organization, reports a membership of 3,447 schools in the United States, representing 544,562 students. Mr. Cooper estimates that the number of students in evangelical Christian schools grew 793 percent from 1965 to 1989, and by all accounts the extremely rapid growth continues in every region of the country. But Mr. Cooper points out that conservative Christians aren't the only group of religious Americans expanding and opening schools in record numbers. Parents Take Charge The St. Thomas School in Medina, Wash., does little to flaunt its religious roots. The school's 190 students attend chapel each morning, but religious instruction stops there.
Evolution is taught in science class, and the school observes Jewish holidays.
St. Thomas broke off financially and administratively from the Episcopal Church nearly 30 years ago. Many of them are the products of public schools themselves. Most of our parents do not have a second home. We have people that rent their homes. Many schools have started offering bigger financial-aid packages to those who need assistance to afford tuition.