CCS was founded in 1975 by Smyrna Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Elder Bill Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson, along with fellow church members, had a desire to see empty church classrooms used during the week. Following a leading from God, they began the work to establish the school which was originally named Collier Drive Christian School. The school’s mission was to train children daily in the word of God, to show them that Scripture speaks to all areas of life, and to integrate God’s truth into the learning process.
Collier Drive Christian School opened its first year with eighteen students in K-4 and K-5 led by teachers Janice Threlkeld and Marion Mitchell. In 1978, the school board hired Jack Beckman to be the school’s principal, in addition to being the first grade teacher. Each year thereafter a new grade was added. For several years the school operated in one building; however, as growth continued, space limitations became more challenging, and an educational wing was added. The school’s name was eventually changed to Covenant Christian School to signify our covenant relationship with God and the partnership between the school and the parents in nurturing students in the Christian faith.
God has continued to bless Covenant, and increased enrollment has led to additional building expansion. CCS added an annex in 2008 to accommodate the second, fourth and fifth grades. Today, CCS has over 135 students in K-4 through 8th grades, and a very dedicated staff of teachers, aides and administrators. As founder Bill Stevenson’s widow, Mary, enthusiastically observes, “Today, Covenant Christian School is flourishing by the grace of God and thanks to dedicated educators. Bill is rejoicing!”
Covenant Christian School remains committed to providing Biblically-based education in the classical tradition and training students in the necessary disciplines to become Kingdom disciples in our culture. We are grateful to God for His blessings to CCS for the past 40 years and look eagerly toward the future.