By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA—Cornerstone Christian School is seeking local businesses to provide positions for high school students in its inaugural work/study program.

CCS Director Jay Adams said the school hopes to find enough local businesses to place about 20-30 students in paid positions or unpaid “learning internships.”

Adams said the program will give students practical work experience, which will help them choose career paths they will enjoy.

“We’d like to give our students the maximum opportunity to learn about careers that interest them before they spend five or six figures on college tuition,” he said. “There are a lot of adults who can’t change careers because they took student loans to earn their degree. If we can help our students avoid that pitfall by learning the job before they leave high school, we’d like to do so.”

The program is open to students in grades 10-12. Student participants will work for about 90-120 minutes either in the morning or the afternoon as an alternative option to study hall.

To qualify for the program, students must meet minimum GPA and behavioral requirements, as well as possess their own transportation. An employer evaluation will be factored into the student’s grade for the work/study program. Each student participating in the program will also maintain a record of their job experience and complete an evaluative project at the end of the semester to receive a final grade.

Adams said the school hopes to have a list of participating businesses finalized by Aug. 9.

For more information, call 205-669-7777 or email Jadams@cornerstonechargers.com