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An Education Cornerstone at Middleburg’s Newest School
An Education Cornerstone at Middleburg’s Newest School
By Michele Husfelt
When the bell rings to signal class changes, he excitedly runs from his office to the hallway as the cacophony of kids increases and the fist pumps begin. According to his administrative assistant, Rachel, “the kids are what makes him tick.”
Meet Bill Oblas, a longtime educator, with 41 years in the Loudoun County Public Schools, including the last 13 as a principal before he retired in 2014. And yet, feeling that he still had much to offer, he was thrilled when the county continued to call him to fill in for long-term substitute positions.
In 2022, Oblas received a call from a former student, now an assistant pastor at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, the church he and his wife attended, asking if he would help conduct a feasibility study to determine the need for a Christian school in the area.
After several months of studying the area’s demographics and educational needs, they determined that such a school could indeed thrive.
Once the feasibility study was completed in 2022, he was asked to stay on as a consultant to help get the school started. He began by hiring staff, and over the next year, interviewed additional staff and students’ families.
In the hiring process, Oblas was amazed that applicants came from as far away as Atlanta and the Midwest, having learned about the school through the online church services. The children arrived from diverse educational backgrounds, including home schooling, private schools, and public schools.
According to its website, “the intention was to offer more than academic excellence: Cornerstone Christian Academy would partner with parents to help students find, follow, and flourish in God’s unique plans for their lives.”
Cornerstone, located on the site of the old Middle burg Academy on the St. Louis Road, opened in 2023 with 525 students. Oblas took on several other roles until the position of upper school principal became available in 2024. When asked to fill that job, he gladly accepted.
“After 41 years of full-time and eight years of substitute teaching, this is the capstone of my career,” he said. “It’s a great way to finish up, with a faculty of Christian teachers (80 staff members total) and students, and it’s such a rewarding experience to have the freedom not to worry about what we say, to speak biblical truth in all we do. It’s been such a joy.”
Asked about his favorite part of the day, he quickly replied. “The kids. You get energized. You know when you talk to these kids that our future is in great hands. And the staff is great, as well.”
Education is a family affair. Oblas also has three children who currently teach at LCPS.
“There is a lot of good going on in the Loudoun County schools,” he said. “I had a great career with them. This is my 53rd year in education, and the last three years have been amazing. I’m a weirdo who can’t wait until Monday mornings. When you’re away from school for two days, I just can’t wait to get back to see the kids.”
After the fist pumps and hugs, the students made their way to class, and Bill Oblas walked to his office with a satisfied grin lighting up his face.
