Our History
Columbia Independent School began in the fall of 1996, inspired by a group of families, led by Mr. Justin Perry. Those families sought to provide an educational opportunity for the growing community in Columbia, Missouri. Mr. Perry envisioned "a new independent, non-sectarian, academically challenging college preparatory school". The school focus would be on academic achievement and personal excellence. By the end of 1996, 32 families committed to becoming founders of the new school. The next year was spent researching other independent schools, securing a location in Hickman Hall at Stephens College, hiring educators, and selecting a Head of School. After a nationwide search, Ms. Dee Corn, principal at Hickman High School from 1990-1997, was selected as the Head of School and also functioned as the Director of the Upper School for the first six years. A committee of founders selected the name Columbia Independent School (CIS). Prospective students decided the mascot and school colors. The students chose the lion, a symbol of strength, power, pride and leadership, and the colors blue and gold. The student body later voted to name the mascot Leo.
In the fall of 1998, CIS opened its doors to 55 students in grades six through nine. The faculty consisted of 16 teachers. Students and teachers attended a three-day retreat at the YMCA Trout Lodge in southern Missouri before school began. The retreat offered students informative sessions about expectations at CIS, mixed with fun bonding activities. Speeches and the release of balloons as everyone passed under the arches marked the first official day.
In each additional school year, a grade was added until the high school was complete. In the spring of 2002, CIS celebrated its first graduating class, sending graduates to Baylor, Dartmouth, Princeton and Washington University.
With the success of the Upper School campus and the support of 24 founding families, the administration and Board of Trustees felt it was time to launch a Kindergarten through fifth grade campus. In the summer of 2002, CIS opened its Lower School program in the previous Sacred Heart Parish School . Ms. Barbara Savage, an educator since 1972 with an emphasis in gifted education, was appointed director and established the current reputation of excellence for the Lower School.
In the summer of 2004, Dr. Charles McClain became the Interim Head of School at CIS. Dr. McClain is the former state commissioner of higher education and past president of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Dr. McClain guided the school during the Head of School search, all the while upholding the high academic standards. In January of 2005, the CIS Board of Trustees announced its unanimous decision to select Mr. Trent Amond as the new Head of School. At the same time, to create a more balanced and efficient administration of the growing school, the Director of the Upper School position was created. Mr. Douglas Sept, a mathematics teacher with ten years of experience, three of them at CIS, accepted the new position.
Trent Amond became Head of School in the summer of 2005. He came to CIS from Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Washington, where he served as Director of Finance and Operations. Mr. Amond has a bachelor of arts degree in engineering and economics from Harvard, and a master of business administration (MBA) and juris doctorate (JD) degree from Syracuse University. He moved CIS forward in administrative structure, financial stability, school communications, and enrollment until his departure in July of 2008.
In April of 2008, CIS acquired the rights to a 62,000 sq. ft. building at 1801 N. Stadium Blvd. in Columbia. This former office building is being renovated to house CIS no later than the opening of school for the 2009-2010 school year. It will serve CIS's needs for the next several years as it almost doubles the space CIS currently occupies and brings CIS all together under one roof. In March of 2007, CIS purchased 36 acres of land at 5720 S. Route K, just south of Rock Bridge Elementary School, on which to build a new K-12 campus. CIS currently plans to hold this land for future development of a larger campus.
A Head of School search committee, chaired by Dr. Timothy Holekamp, was formed in July of 2008; the committee hopes to announce a new Head of School by the end of the calendar year.
