Scott Gibson, Head of School
Welcome to Columbia Independent School online! Our web site is designed to serve our students, parents, faculty and staff, alumni, trustees, and visitors. If you cannot find what you need here, let us know.
Our mission at Columbia Independent School is to guide students in the pursuit of excellence through academic, physical, and creative achievement, while exemplifying a commitment to integrity, trust and responsibility; and to encourage students to realize the joy of living through personal achievement and service to others, in preparation for higher learning and community life.
Ours is truly a unique independent school. What other independent school cites “the joy of living through personal achievement and service to others”? The phrase is reminiscent of our Declaration of Independence that names the pursuit of happiness as one of our inalienable rights. In that regard, we are as unique among independent schools as our nation is among nations.
Personal achievement remains critical in our increasingly competitive society. At Columbia Independent School, our low teacher to student ratio allows our teachers to identify and develop each student’s individual potential. The results of our efforts are clear in our college placement and elsewhere.
Critical, too, is service to others. Blind pursuit of one’s own goals is unattractive and narrow. Accordingly, we balance the pursuit of individual goals with the requirement to consider one’s fellow man and to serve him, too. The combination nicely prepares our students for success in college and in life.
Our future at Columbia Independent School is bright. Having transitioned to our spacious new facility, our entire school is now under one roof. Despite the recession, enrollment jumped 20 percent over last year. Our enrollment of foreign exchange students now includes students from South Korea, the Republic of Georgia and Ecuador. We have also established relationships for our students in Australia and are exploring additional international opportunities.
In addition to visiting us online, consider visiting in person. You are always welcome.
Sincerely,
Scott K. Gibson III
Head of School
