AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The U.S. is in a tough recession, and many people are holding onto their dollars, but they'll spend when they think they're getting a good deal. In that environment, it's striking when you see enrollment go up for expensive private schools, but that's exactly what's happening at Amarillo's Ascension Academy.

The school saw a 100 percent increase in enrollment since January of 2009.

It went from 67 students to 134. One of those students was Molly Martindale. "We walked in and within the first five minutes we knew this was the place to be," said Matt Martindale, a parent at Ascension Academy.

The Martindale's say they've always put their kids in public school, but switched so their daughter could focus on college prep classes. The school has an eight to one teacher to student ratio.

"The concentrations on academics is first and foremost here and that's the thing we love the most. When she leaves here she'll probably think college is easy," Martindale continued.

But paying for college and private schools comes with a price.  "You have to weigh the cost versus the value and I think for our parents and students they're quite certain the value of this, what it means on a day to day basis, the richness of the education, or the number of kids that are ready to succeed in college, the value is a very real one," said Bill Summerhill, the Head of the School.

But for this couple, the value isn't measured in academics and costs. "Molly loves this school and she's happy everyday, she doesn't ever want to miss a day. I think that's important for me as mother to know my child, daughter, is happy," said Erin Martindale, a parent at Ascension Academy.

The curriculum features core classes like English, Spanish, math, science, history, and a foreign languages.  Fine arts, public speaking, a health class, and athletics are required.