May 28, 2009 6:47 pm US/Eastern
Parochial School Thrives, Despite Enrollment Trend
PARKVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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St. Demetrios Day School is one of 26 Greek Orthodox day schools in the nation.
CBS
The Catholic Archdiocese unveiled a plan to save its schools and boost low enrollment.
But as Gigi Barnett explains in Eyewitness News' School Watch Report, one parochial school in Baltimore County is growing and has a wait list for students.
Right after the music lesson, but before the writing session, students at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Day School in Parkville, Baltimore County have another task: communion.
"These children are going home teaching their parents what I can't get to them," Father Lou Noplos of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church said.
Father Lou Naplos says that's why enrollment at the day school is growing, at a time when many parochial schools, such as Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, are trying to boost their student bodies. St. Demetrios has a wait list.
Plus, students learn English and Greek.
"I'm blown away that they know the Lord's Prayer not only in English but also in Greek as well," kindergarten teacher Stephanie Christ said.
"The religion is to hold onto those traditions and to sustain that and to keep that going on and on. It means so much to us."
St. Demetrios Day School is one of 26 Greek Orthodox day schools in the nation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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