The Mission of the Community School of Cleburne County, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Community School of Cleburne County, Inc., Board Members and Staff shall accomplish this goal by following and believing in these principles:

• Each individual has the right to a safe and healthy environment.
• Each individual has value.
• Each individual is capable of growth and development.
• Each individual deserves to be respected and treated with dignity.
• Each individual must have access to opportunities and information to make choices and to exercise his or her rights.
• Each individual must have access to supports and services that enhance his or her development, independence, productivity, and well-being.
• Each individual is unique and has a right to services and supports which are tailored to his or her individual strengths and needs.
• Each individual should have the right to live in and be a part of the community and to receive appropriate services.
• Each citizen has the right to fully exercise his or her rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.

The Community School of Cleburne County has been in operation since 1983. The School began providing services with only six adults and four children with developmental disabilities. Through the years, the Community School has needed to expand to be able to accommodate the increased demand for services – moving to a small house on Front Street and then to a larger building on Hwy 110. Not long after moving to this location, the Community School purchased a building exclusively for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, or Project Independence.

In 2005, the Community School was hit by tragedy when the Preschool building was burglarized and burned down by arson. Unwilling to have their students and families miss any services due to this loss, Executive Director, Teri Renner moved the program – with very little supplies or resources – into space donated by the United Methodist Church. The Community School was only closed for two days after the fire before families were able to resume services. Several months later, the Community School was able to move back to its own property to provide services in temporary trailers while plans were made for a new permanent facility to house both the Adult and Preschool program. In just two short years, with an outpouring of community support and the commitment of Teri Renner and Community School employees, the Community School was able to open the doors of their new facility in August 2007.

Today, the Community School serves over 100 infants & children with developmental delays and over 30 Developmentally Disabled Adults. The Community School also owns and staffs three Waiver Homes for developmentally disabled adults. The Community School and Executive Director, Teri Renner, who has dedicated over 30 years of her life to the Community School, have played a vital role in helping to build a brighter future for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Cleburne and surrounding counties.