Cornerstone Christian School Set To Celebrate 30 Years
By Garret Delaurier
With an origin story as humble as they get.
Beginning with no more than thirteen students in 1993, this institution now claims “Alma Mater Studiorium” (Nurturing Mother of Studies) for over 460 high school graduates.
Cornerstone Christian School (CCS) enters into its third decade and has no plans on slowing down.
Cornerstone Christian School
This May, Cornerstone will be looking back on its short history.
Whether it be recalling one of many amazing theatrical productions, sporting tournament victories, or just remembering all of the students that have walked the halls.
Thirty years may seem like a short time for an educational institution, but it is certainly enough time for memories to be made.
As students come and go, and as educators see them grow up, three decades is enough time to see multiple generations go from their first day in kindergarten to being high school grads.
That process can be foundational to any persons identity. The memories we made as students shape the way we think about the world.
Memories of the past on the wall
Along with seeing students come and go, throughout the decades, Cornerstone has experienced the influence of many educators.
Some leaving an ongoing legacy, who’ve helped shape the way the school is today.
Cornerstone was an Independent School from 1993–1996.
In August 1996, the school gained ‘Associate School’ status with Thunder Creek School Division and the first principal of “CCS”, Ms. Patty Perry, was hired.
Dr. George Falk left his job at the Ministry of Education to move into the Principal role at Cornerstone in August 1997, taking over for Ms. Patty Perry.
In October 2003, Dr. Falk took a position as a superintendent at the division office.
Scott Robertson, who was the Vice-Principal at that time, transitioned into the interim role of Principal and then permanently in April 2004 as an Associate School still under Thunder Creek School Division.
Thunder Creek and Moose Jaw Public school division amalgamated in 2006 into Prairie South School Division and CCS continued as an Associate school under Prairie South School Division.
Robertson retired as the Principal of CCS in June 2023.
Lee Behrns the present principal at Cornerstone Christian School
Lee Behrns, who taught at CCS for 25 years, and also assumed one of the Vice-Principal positions from April 2004- June 2015, was hired by Prairie South School Division to fill the role of Principal of CCS in August 2023.
Cornerstone has commemorated a “Legacy of Leaders” wall this past May in dedication to its past leader’s dedication and leadership.
Despite what some people might assume, The C.C.S. ‘Falcons’ weren’t named after Dr. George Falk.
The similarities are purely coincidental.
Although George Falk did cheer on the Falcons with great enthusiasm.
Cornerstone Christian School is very passionate about athletics, no matter the sport; basketball, volleyball, badminton or track and field.
The C.C.S Falcons have won decades of championship games, broken many records and brought home trophies from numerous tournaments.
They’ve won a provincial banner in every sport, and have won city title for Badminton for the last four years.
This is partly attributed to its passionate staff, some of which were student athletes at some point, and many played for the Cornerstone ‘Falcons’ themselves.
All understand the importance of a strong competitive spirit, that some experience for the first time with high school athletics.
This spirit of competition is fostered with a deep emphasis of ‘team’ and working together to achieve success; taking the wins with losses.
It’s some of the most important lessons a young person could hope to learn.
Cornerstone has always been very passionate about its theatre program.
Throughout the years Dr. Falk was present, CCS was lucky to have one of Moose Jaw’s most talented “theatre families” (the Falk Family) involved with the school’s productions.
One of Cornerstone Christian School’s theatrical productions
Scott Robertson and Tanya Johnson have directed most of the plays and musicals the school has produced and Cornerstone continues to produce excellent performances and sell out the Mae Wilson Theatre every year.
Above all, Cornerstone Christian School emphasizes an importance on academics.
Graduates have gone on to a diverse range of vocations including doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, entrepreneurs and skilled tradesmen.
Their “reading, writing and math” assessments are consistently above the division and provincial average.
Some Cornerstone graduates have scored as high as top 4 percent for the MCATs in the North America and others have gone on to study at prestigious schools such as Oxford University.
Throughout the past three decades, Cornerstone Christian School has been among many respected educational institutions in the city, each with a different atmosphere and set of experiences.
Cornerstone is faith based and emphasizes its education through christian values.
It’s a place where students can feel welcome and grow in their faith.
Cornerstone will be celebrating 30 years as a school this spring with a graduate reunion.
All graduates from previous years have been invited to celebrate the school and its 30 years.