Published: July 28, 2008 03:27 pm         

It was back to school for Community Christian’s Horton

Administrator obtains her master’s degree

Special to the Index

The faculty and staff of Community Christian School recognize Karen Horton’s dedication upon her completion of a Masters in Christian School Administration degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

Horton received this degree with high honors on May 3, 2008.

The daughter of John and Bryna Price, wife of Kirk Horton, mother of Bryan Horton and Perri Leavelle, and grandmother to Paige, Levi, and Noah Leavelle and Jackson and Price Horton, she currently serves as administrator of Community Christian School.

Karen Horton grew up in Dallas and graduated from Highland Park High School. Upon attending Texas Tech University she met and married Kirk Horton. After graduating from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, she and Kirk moved to Mineral Wells in 1978. In 1982, Mrs. Horton was instrumental in the organization of Community Christian School, serving as the first chairman of the board of directors.

She serves with her husband at Well of Life Church. While she is fully invested in the growth and maturing of the Well of Life congregation, one of her top priorities has always been Community Christian School.

Those associated with CCS know that Horton not only sees the school as a place for academic excellence, but as a ministry to the city of Mineral Wells and the surrounding area. The family of CCS has been blessed over the last 25 years to have Horton as part of the school.

Over the years, she has also served as a board member and has taught multiple grade levels and subject areas. However, her most significant contribution has been that of articulating the vision of the school as a place where learning takes place in an atmosphere of acceptance and love. Horton has held onto the vision she believes God has revealed for the school. She seeks to do all that is in her power to provide Christian education to Palo Pinto and western Parker counties. Her goal is to see Community Christian School be a positive part of the educational landscape in the area. Over the years, hundreds of families have been positively affected by Horton’s giving heart.

In 2004, upon the retirement of Gary Robinson as administrator, Horton accepted the responsibility of that position, thinking it would be temporary. Even though the board of directors actively looked for a replacement, they could not find a candidate that met their requirements. So the interim position became permanent.

In order to meet the standards of accreditation with the International Christian Accrediting Association, Horton needed to begin work on a master’s degree in school administration. Horton had not planned on a return to school after raising two children and becoming a grandmother. Yet, because of her love for Community Christian School, she enrolled into the graduate education program at Oral Roberts University. After three years of papers, classes and multiple trips to Tulsa, Horton completed the hours required for her degree with a perfect 4.0 average.

Community Christian closed its high school in 1999. During the last four years, due to the many new technologies available in education, CCS has been able to re-establish the high school even though the enrollment numbers have been small. This next year looks to be a great year as Community Christian School has added Doug Jefferson as associate administrator. The plan is to train and mentor him so that he will be prepared to move into the position of administrator while keeping the vision God has given for Community Christian School. Working together with Horton, they will work to continue to build upon a successful past while continuing the tradition of excellence in every area as the school builds.Adding a K4 program for 2008-09, the school hopes to find new ways to serve the educational community. In addition to the increased enrollment with that program, Community Christian School is looking at a large increase in enrollment, the second largest enrollment increase in its 25-year history. Those interested in enrollment should contact the school for information.