Cornerstone Schools

If you are serious about a college prep education this is your school! The teachers are authentic educators; they are passionate about their students' potential and achievements. The principal is a leader with a clear vision of academic excellence...she is tough but very fair in making sure expectations for all students are high. Communication is good and parent involvement is dependent on effort...everyone talks a good game but it seems it's the same group of us that show up to volunteer. As for the one post about being behind...if your child goes into a school behind and leaves behind you've got take a look in the mirror. You can hire the best trainer but if you don't follow the workout...they can't build the muscle for you.
--Submitted by a parent

A bad experience. My daughter cried everyday to go back to her old school! We thought it might just be new school jitters, but her teacher was in her words "very moody" and from one day to the next she was afraid of what the day would hold based on the teacher's mood swings. Although the staff were both professional and courteous, the environment lacks the nuturing needed in the lower elementary classes.
--Submitted by a parent

A really terrible school, led by an arrogant principal who insists on total control. You can not talk to the teachers without going through the principal. Absolutely ABYSMAL communication, really no communication at all. Many children enrolled who are quite obviously in need of special education but who are allowed to stay, to the detriment of the other students, because their relatives work for the school. Owner of the school might be the most unfriendly, anti-social person I have ever had the misfortune to be around. Math class is a joke. Lessons are not taught, your child is given his or her book and left to their own devices to try and complete their work. Math teacher is an arrogant, disdainful man, a perfect complement to the arrogant, and ignorant principal. Although they profess to be teaching at a higher level than public school, this is absolutely NOT the case. Be forewarned that if your child attends this school and for whatever reason has to go back into the public school system, your child WILL be behind, guaranteed. I am living that nightmare right now, and have been in touch recently with other families going through the same thing. Definitely skip this school.
--Submitted by a parent

For any parent out there who are searching for a good school, please take time to interview this school. I have three children attending and, hands down, this is one of the better schools in the area. The magic is the CLASS SIZES. No more than 15 kids per teacher allowed. The teachers are capable, professional, and courteous. The principal and vice principal are wonderful. Communication is excellent and parents are VERY involved. Think about those qualities, do you really get those at public school?
--Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. My daughter transferred here mid year and was welcome with open arms. It has truly been a blessing!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Strong academic focus. Teachers do an amazing job teaching to each indvidual student's level, The only downfall to Cornerstone is the lunches. Open a can & serve. As a parent, I expect a school of this caliber to do a better job feeding the students. It seems to be a profit center for the school. The students would be better served with fresh fruits & take away the bologna sandwiches.
--Submitted by a parent

Outstanding School on all fronts...Principal, teachers and academics!
--Submitted by a parent

The reason I like the school so much: Teaching is focused on mastery and the individual student's ability. They blend Montessori instructional methods with the structure of traditional methods. The environment, facilities, equipment, etc. are creative, organized, clean, state-of-the-art, and challenging. Class size is maximum 15 with one teacher in each class at the K thru I think 1st or 2nd, then the max is 18. Students rotate through learning stations, meeting with the teacher, and learning in a group. If a child is progressing quickly and completes the standard curriculum for their grade, then the teacher keeps adding to their individualized curriculum, continually challenging the child. They teach Spanish through immersion. They teach swimming. They have a rock climbing wall in the indoor PE room they use now. They teach soccer, etc., in the PE classes the kids attend. They have an ex-pro baseball player who teaches baseball fundamentals. They teach music including specific instruments and the music teacher also offers private lessons on the campus. They have a computer lab and kids are taught video game production, blue screen, robotics, etc., by an outside computer programming vendor. They work on year long projects together. They teach science at all levels, and focus on hands-on, concrete instruction. They are focused on safety by keypads that only allow access into any door by keying in the code. There are cameras in every classroom that are monitored in the principal's office. They teach integrity, community service, honesty, etc., through expectations set in the classroom (policies, structure, authority) and through school-wide programs like having Senior Citizens come read to them, serving lunch to the needy at The Place, holding food drives, hosting Senior Citizen appreciation lunches, etc. They have some diversity in the school right now (India, Columbia, Kenya), and they are looking for opportunities to improve in that area. They have after school programs on the campus.
--Submitted by a parent

Cornerstone School strives to provide a broad, well rounded education, but never forgets that all children need to be treated as individuals.
--Submitted by a parent

Cornerstone Schools is a small school dedicated to academic excellence. Class sizes are small. The students wear uniforms. They have PE, study foreign language and music. All of this is in the comprehensive curriculum. The teachers and staff are excellent - truly dedicated to wholistic education. School lunches are healthy. No sugary snacks or soft drinks are allowed on campus. The children are happy. The school is ranked in the 99th percentile nationally!
--Submitted by a parent