Cornerstone Presbyterian High School

The "Dream" of a Christian High School

During the last decade, as more and more young people began to go on to high school (which is not compulsory) believing parents, churches, and young people began to dream and to pray that God would provide a God-honoring, Christ-centered option for those wanting to continue their studies.

This "dream" continued to grow until finally, in September, 2003, God graciously provided all that was needed for Cornerstone Presbyterian High School to open its doors to sixty very eager ninth graders from ten different villages and towns. Many were covenant children, but some had never truly heard and understood the life-changing truth of salvation by God's grace alones.

Each year has seen the addition of one grade level and another batch of new students. Currently, Cornerstone has 190 students, from fifteen villages and towns, in grades 9-12. On June 6, 2007 Cornerstone celebrated its first commencement exercises. What a grand celebration of praise it was!.

Belizean principal and teacher Albert Zantingh, along with a committed group of Belizean teachers and MTW volunteers, have established a Christ-centered curriculum and an atmosphere conducive to learning. They have also created a campus where students feel loved and respected -- a campus where they have heard and, by God's grace, responded to the Gospel. Students and parents are positive and hopeful about the future of the new high school.

The Building Project

Cornstone Presbyterian High School is located on twenty acres of property in the Corozal District at mile 74.5 on the Northern Highway of Bleize. The property was donated by the Presbyterian Church in Belize. During the spring and summer of 2003 local church members and work teams from the United States worked to complete the construction of a 125' x 25' structure which included four classrooms and bathrooms. By September of 2004 the teams added a second floor to the building, allowing the school to add an office, a computer room/library, and a science room. During the spring and summer of 2005 construction of the foundation and first floor of the second building was completed, adding two classrooms and a chapel/home economics room to the growing school. Science laboratory stations were added to the science room as well. Four more classrooms were added in 2006 with the completion of the 2nd floor. A double-wide volleyball/basketball courth was added in 2007. Hopes are to raise sufficient funds during the 2007-2008 school year to construct a tall, open-air covering for these courts. This would provide an area large enough for the whole student body to meet together for chapel and other special events, such as graduation.

Cornerstone is a government special-aided school with 70% of teacher salaries paid by the Belize government. The remaining salaries and all other expenses are from student fees and fund-raisers. Student fees are $600 Bz/year ($300 U.S.) plus $100-$150 Bz for books.