Community Christian School (CCS) was founded in 1977 as a ministry of Covenant Community Church. Following the wise leadership and guidance of Dr. Hal and Mrs. Marilyn Schendel, Covenant Community School, located on Tharpe Street, opened with 20 students using Accelerated Christian Education (ACE). Three years later, in 1980, the school moved to a new location on Thomasville Road (in what is now Betton Place). Soon after, the school moved to another temporary location at the corner of Killearney Way and Shannon Lakes. Property was purchased on Velda Dairy Road for a future permanent church and school site.
In 1987, a permanent facility was constructed, and the school’s format changed from ACE to a teacher-directed, curriculum-based model, with the creation of traditional classrooms. In 1989, Covenant Community School received its first accreditation from Christian Schools of Florida.
By 1995, school enrollment had increased to 275 students. During that year, under the leadership of a governing board of parents, the school separated from the church. At this time, the school was renamed Community Christian School as an independent, convenantal Christian school, and was governed by an elected board of directors. The school remained on the church property, purchasing it in 2000 with funding from a capital campaign, Laying a Firm Foundation (1998-1999). Covenant Community Church relocated and changed its name to Trinity Reformed Church.
In 2007-2008, Community Christian School celebrated 30 years of God’s faithfulness and provision with a year of anniversary celebrations. The CCS School Board also set a course for the next 30 years by commissioning a Campus Master Plan. God’s hand has protected the vision of the school’s founding families. Community Christian School has become the school of choice for Christian families around the area seeking an education centered in Christ and a Biblical worldview.
At Community Christian School, every child who wishes to learn will receive a superior education. Through a carefully designed educational plan that includes small classes, a comprehensive curriculum, challenging and interesting activities and a highly trained and dedicated faculty, Community Christian provides students in kindergarten through high school an educational setting that encourages them to reach their full academic potential.
By the grace of God, CCS has gained a reputation as a school that offers a strong spiritual formation program along with challenging academics. Although there are many choices for Christian schooling in Tallahassee, CCS is known as a school with a strong commitment to the spiritual formation of its students. The school has experienced a steady growth over the last 30 years. It is known as a school that has a true “community feel” with a very high level of parent volunteers and close relationships that develop among the families and school personnel.
The Association of Christian School International (ACSI) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) have accredited Community Christian School.
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Lamentations 3:21-24
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”