Tim Buckmaster, human resources director for the Cape Henlopen School District, said enrollment has been steady, with a significant increase only in the pre-kindergarten program. The district has sought out special-needs students to participate in the Little Vikings program to help prepare them for kindergarten, he said.

“Up to 50 kids from across the district have joined our Little Vikings program,” he said. “Otherwise, we have not seen a great increase in enrollment. Some students have come back, but they have returned as the result of a variety of factors.”

Buckmaster said some students who had left Cape have now returned. He said some have come back because of the district’s academic programs and because of the new, $74 million high school and its new academies program. Meanwhile, others left the area to live with family in response to economic woes, he said.

Barry Tull, headmaster of Worcester Preparatory School, said the school was concerned over the summer about its enrollment, but has seen only a minor change. “We were slightly over 600 last year and slightly under 600 this year. Our admissions are right on average for new students, so we are pleased,” he said.

Since classes began this year, Worcester Prep has added a few students and lost none, said Tull. He said the school expects to maintain enrollment and is cautiously optimistic about next year.

However, he said, some families have said they are cutting back on spending to keep their students in the school. “A number of them are making significant sacrifices,” said Tull.

The school offers scholarships, but not financial aid, although Tull said Worcester Prep is as flexible as possible with families.

Lucy Dutton, education director at Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy, said she is also seeing families sacrifice in order to keep children in private school. She said families looking for strong Christian values and strong academics are working to make sure their children attend Eagle’s Nest, despite financial struggles.

Dutton said, “We have had parents who have had to take their children out of our schools because of the economy.” Eagle’s Nest does not have a regular scholarship program, she said. Dutton said the school may lose a few more pupils because of financial struggles, but she expects the students currently enrolled to stay through the year.

The economy has helped the school update and evaluate programs to make sure they are providing the best education possible, said Dutton.

She said Eagle’s Nest has also consolidated by moving the early childhood program into the same space as the school to save on utilities.