Columbia Christian Schools has a rich history of education in the Portland community. Here is a brief history of the school, its accreditation and governance.

In September 1947, Columbia Christian Schools, known as Columbia Bible School, opened its doors for the first time using the church of Christ building at Seventh and Hassalo Streets in Portland, Oregon. The school began with four teachers and thirty-six students in grades one through eight. From the beginning, chapel and daily Bible classes were an important part of the curriculum.

In 1949 the school obtained eight acres between 90th and 91st Streets, bordered on the north and south by Glisan and Burnside. Construction of the school building began in 1953 and was completed in 1954. This allowed the school to expand, adding a full high school. Through the remaining years of the 50s and the following decades the school continued to grow and experience progress with increased enrollment and stable leadership. A four-year college grew out of the early beginnings of the school and the academy and college were chartered and incorporated together.

In the fall of 1992 Columbia Christian Schools became independent and incorporated and appointed its own Board of Directors. The school continued to grow, and in the fall of 2000 dual accreditation was awarded to grades K-12 by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and Association of Christian Schools International.

The CCS Board of Directors and the administration are planning and praying toward further growth of the school, both in facilities and the scope of the program.

CCS is governed primarily by the Word of God, as understood and applied by the school’s Board of Directors and administration. The Board of Directors operates under the school’s adopted bylaws, mission statement, school objectives and faith statement, and it provides policies to the Superintendent and Principal for implementation in the school.