I agree with reredwood. I would go over to a part 61 school and fly as much as possible without going into debt. If you have a lot of time between lessons keep your head in the FARAIM.
Also don't get discouraged about the amount of time it took to get your private. I was at a flight school similar to the one you described, and it took me a year and a half to get my private.
If you don't go airgaurd I would continue on until you get the CFI. Maybe at a 4 year university.