Columbia Independent School began in the fall of 1998, inspired by a group of families led by Justin Perry. The families sought to provide a unique educational opportunity for the growing community in Columbia, Missouri. Perry envisioned "a new independent, non-sectarian, academically challenging college preparatory school." The school's focus would be on academic achievement and personal excellence. By the end of 1996, 32 families committed to becoming founders of the new school. The next year was spent researching other independent schools, securing a location in Hickman Hall at Stephens College, hiring educators, and selecting a Head of School. Dee Corn, former principal at Hickman High School in Columbia, was selected as the Head of School and also functioned as the Director of the Upper School. A committee of founders selected the name "Columbia Independent School". Prospective students were given the opportunity to choose the mascot and school colors. The students chose the lion, a symbol of strength, pride and leadership, and the colors blue and gold. For the choosing of the mascot, the other option was a frog. In the fall of 1998, CIS opened its doors to 55 students in grades six through nine and a faculty composed of 16 teachers. Students and teachers attended a three-day retreat at the YMCA Trout Lodge in southern Missouri before school began. The retreat offered students informative sessions about expectations at CIS, mixed with bonding activities. Speeches and the release of balloons as everyone passed under the arches marked the first official day. This became a tradition, the Balloon Launch, in which at the beginning of every school year, except for the 2017-2018 school year, all students release either a blue or gold balloon into the sky. In each additional school year, a grade was added until the high school was complete. In the spring of 2002, CIS celebrated its first graduating class. In early 2016, some eighth grade students, who were the greatest students to ever populate the school, launched a weather balloon. The balloon reached the stratosphere, and students were shown footage from the weather balloon's camera. The balloon also had a bag of potato chips on it. The remains of the balloon, which popped, are kept beside the Cube classroom. More info about the balloon can be found : With the success of the Upper School campus and the support of a group of the original founding families, the administration and Board of Trustees decided to launch a kindergarten through fifth grade campus. In the summer of 2002, CIS opened its Lower School program in the previous Sacred Heart Parish School. Barbara Savage, an educator since 1972 with an emphasis in gifted education, was appointed director and established the current reputation of excellence for the Lower School. In the 2013-2014 school year, Chris Sayers replaced Beth Gardner as Lower School Director. In April 2008, CIS acquired the rights to a building at 1801 N Stadium, Columbia, MO. The former office building of Salton/Toastmaster was renovated to house CIS beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. This effectively doubled the space CIS previously occupied and brought all of CIS together under one roof.
Athletics
Columbia Independent School is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, which governs the athletics of most schools within Missouri. The school's teams are designated the "Lions." Sponsored sports include cross country, tennis, basketball, track and field, and soccer. Due to size constraints, MSHSAA allows CIS students to participate in athletic programs of nearby public schools if that particular sport is not offered at CIS.
Renovations
In spring 2016, the school began work on the Arts and Athletics Centre, which added a stage and gymnasium.
