Its board chairman calls it “a wonderful little school for little people.” Its parents are engaged in recruiting neighbors and friends to come and see for themselves. Its director can’t stop talking about the benefits to its students, and the momentum it has been building since an admittedly rocky opening in September. The Academy of St. Priscilla at Divine Savior started as an effort to retain Catholic education at St. Priscilla Parish, whose traditional parish school was closing, and opened as a “center of excellence” in early childhood education at Divine Savior Parish in Norridge, a few miles away. But after the opening was delayed a few days by permit issues, only a quarter of the 40 registered students showed up. Now, as the school completes its first half year and prepares for its first Catholic Schools Week, director Jennifer Hodge said things are looking rosier. Enrollment has nearly doubled to 18 students, and there are signs that it could double again before school starts next fall. “Our children are not only learning the necessary skills for their age level, but are engaged on a personal level and encouraged to enhance their learning at a progressive rate,’ Hodge said. “Due to the work of our teachers, aides, and board members, our students and families love the school. Parents report their children are making great strides, and see school as fun.” While most of the students are preschoolage, the school accepts children up to age eight, offering a Montessoristyle program at which each child is guided at his or her own pace. Those who finish the program would expect to start in their new schools in third grade. Quality and no waiting Parent Nilda Landicho couldn’t be more pleased with the efforts the school has made with her 3-year-old son, Eric. “You can’t find education of this quality without a long waiting list,” said Landicho, a special education teacher at another school. “And none of the Montessori schools are in this area.” Landicho moved Eric to the school in October, after hearing about it from her mother-in-law, who lives across the street from the school. She was impressed that it offered “big kid” programs like Spanish, physical education and art to all of the students, including those in preschool. She also appreciated the option for a full-day preschool with extended care available. Because of her work schedule, she often can’t pick Eric up until about a half-hour after his school day ends. Teaching the faith too But she and her husband, parishioners at Queen of All Saints, say they also like the emphasis the school puts on teaching the Catholic faith. Catholic students receive religious education, including preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation and First Holy Communion at the school. “Before, I didn’t really know how to talk to him about God,” Landicho said. “But they talk about it in school, and he comes home and talks about it. Now, when we go to church, he knows why we go, or at least that it is God’s house. Albert J. Schorsch III, the chairman of the board of specified jurisdiction, said the school can be selfsustaining with about 40 students, and that goal looks reasonable for next year, especially with the parents of current students on board. “The word is out in the community about the wonderful experience our students and families are having with our innovative approach to early childhood education,” Schorsch wrote in a letter to parents in December. “We have heard from many parents about placing their children in our academy next year.”