By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer

With 204 students walking in through the doors each day, Aspen Academy has come a long way from when it was just an idea four years ago.

“Every time I’m in the school or at a school event, I’m emotionally overwhelmed at how far we’ve come,” said founder and School Board Chairwoman Misty Schutrop. “To see kids and parents all in one room and know they likely wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for what we did … It’s a great.”

St. John the Baptist Church and School’s Steppingstones Preschool, 12508 Lynn Ave., downtown, will have open registration for the 2010-11 school year from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Steppingstones is a Catholic-based program for children from 3 to 5 years old. Families are asked to enter through the Lynn Avenue door marked door 14.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School, 12508 Lynn Ave., downtown will have an open house from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 31.

The open house is designed for prospective students and their families. Activities include: a student art fair, book fair, tours, and a chance to meet the teachers and visit classrooms.

Community Education classes are offered by all three school districts that serve Savage.