PIE Mission Statement

The Columbia Public School District’s Partners In Education program provides a vehicle through which our schools and our community can come together and through a mutual sharing of resources, strengthen our schools’ programs and enhance our community’s economic growth.

PIE Goals
The overall goals of Columbia’s Partners in Education Program is to build bridges between the world of business and the world of education. The program serves a five-fold purpose:

• To foster a better understanding of the public school system within the Columbia Community.

• To strengthen and enhance the district’s programs.

• To create a climate of involvement and interaction between organizations, businesses and schools.

• To provide students opportunities to develop attitudes and skills that enhance their success in the world of work.

• To improve achievement for all students.

Program History

The Partners In Education (PIE) program officially began in the fall of 1984 with eleven partnerships. Today, the program has more than 130 partnerships and 100 partnership friends. Since its inception, Partners In Education has drawn upon the vitality and enthusiasm of each participant. The program does not look for financial support for schools; rather it enriches educational programs by tapping the human resources available in the community. A school day does not go by without a meaningful Partners In Education activity enriching our district's curriculum. 

What is a Partner in Education?

A local business/community organization in partnership with an individual school, curriculum department, or grade level. Each partnership is designed to be a long-term commitment and identifies a PIE steering committee, consisting of both school and business personnel. The steering committee meets monthly and directs partnership activities. In addition, each partnership establishes a mission statement, objectives and activities.

Partnership activities include but are not limited to:

Satellite schools located within businesses 
Job shadowing and business tours
Classroom presentations
Performances at businesses
Banks within schools
Mock trials
Tutoring/ Mentoring

Success is what Partners In Education is all about. The goal is success for every student, every Partner and the Columbia community.

What is a Partnership Friend?

A Partnership Friend is a person(s), community organization, or business that makes a yearly significant contribution i.e. time, services, products, money, etc. to an individual school, department, or classroom.

The program began in 1992 with three Partnership Friends. Today the program includes over 100 Partnership Friends.
 
Partnership Friend contributions include but are not limited to:
Newsletter space to highlight students' work
Teacher & staff appreciation items
Coupons for student incentive programs
Meeting space for district personnel
Books for classroom libraries