The Cornerstone School

go to seacoastonline.com and look up Fri 5/25/12 and 5/27/12 this school kicks people out when they question the head of school and the school board.... it doesn't matter how good the teachers are (and most are very good), the administration bullies families that do not agree with them or that questions them...
--Submitted by a parent

We have had three children enrolled at this school over the past eight (8) years and couldn't be happier with the results. It has been a wonderful experience for our children! The teachers are incredible and the admisistration is supportive. We are blessed to be part of this community. It is unfortunate that a few parents have had difficulites over the past six (6) months and wish to cast the school in a negative light.
--Submitted by a parent

Cornerstone School has been a wonderful experience for our two children over the past 8 years. They have experienced terrific teachers, supportive administration and an overall excellent learning environment. We feel fortunate to have Cornerstone and all it offers to children and their families.
--Submitted by a parent

This school, although aesthetically beautiful inside and out, is wrought with very serious administrative problems. The head of school is unprofessional and retaliatory. Not only does she disregard parental input, she will kick your family out (4 families, 7 innocent children) if you challenge or question her ability to effectively run the school. She surrounds herself with a small faction of sheepish parents who want to help run the school in a fascist manner. The current board of directors is stagnant. They allow her to turn her head away from the pervasive bullying issues at the school. It is our hope, as a NEW family at this school, that the NH Dept of Education will hold the head of school accountable for the bullying at the school. Further, we hope that the NH Dept of Education will mandate appropriate, professional anti-bullying training for the entire faculty, starting with the head of school and her board of directors. It has been astonishing to enter into such a brainwashed community. It is such a shame because the school has such potential!
--Submitted by a parent

The review claiming the parents uninvited back are helicopter parents is misinformed and without merit. The Head of school has been spreading false information about the parents mentioned. There are enough signatures to force a meeting with the Board however the issues with the headmaster/LE1 teacher are being elevated to the Department of Education and there will be a hearing at which time all the facts will come out.
--Submitted by a parent

The review regarding the "helicopter" parents is misinformed. The Head of School has been spreading false information about these parents to protect herself. There are enough signatures for a mandatory BOard Meeting however the Department of Education is now involved and will hold a grievance hearing. The review mentioning the helicopter parents came from someone who has never met or spoken with some of the parents she mentions. Read about the hearing in the a paper to get the facts in the near future.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a true Montessori school with a magnificent feeling of community. It is not a watered-down version of Montessori as some of he other local options offer. We have been at this school for a year (more than one child) and have found the staff, headmaster included, to be nothing but receptive to me, my children, and their special needs. All modifications of schedule and equipment has been embraced. The fuss that is reported here is the loud voices of a few parents who were not invited back for the following year. They were belligerently clamoring to have their opinions on how a school should be run valued more than those who are trained and highly capable of critically analyzing the needs of a unique student population. As someone who is an educator and administrator myself, I can tell you that the voices of a few helicopter parents can not become the status quo of an entire school. They are unable to even get the minimum requirement of signatures to petition the board in order to make a formal complaint. That is how small this group of people are compared to be beautiful community that is Cornerstone.
--Submitted by a parent

Do not be fooled by appearances. When we took a tour and did observations we were thrilled with the Montessori Method and the teachers. The Teachers have been terrific.....however....the Headmaster is cold, rude and took some very drastic steps by throwing out four families for trying to suggest ideas to improve the school. There is a severe bullying problem that needs to be addressed. Two families have had to file reports with the police. Be careful before you choose this school. I don't recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

Cornerstone's campus is beautiful. The faculty members are for the most part wonderful. My children LOVE their classrooms and friends. However, the administration has issues. cstone-alliance.org I love the descriptions of "principal leadership" given by this site..."listens to and answers questions..." If this is what you are looking for, do NOT choose Cornerstone. The headmaster is NOT interested in your suggestions, input, or genuine involvement. She only wants those who already agree with her to participate. Parent involvement is also interesting, "treats parents like partners, not outsiders." This again is NOT Cornerstone. In fact, in response to questions about secret meetings, in March 2012 the headmaster kicked a bunch of families out of the school! To stop them from asking questions... Pretty campus, some GREAT teachers, and a headmaster who has MAJOR issues!
--Submitted by a parent

Our kids absolutely LOVE the school. Another reviewer mentioned reading difficulty one of their children experienced. It only reinforces that every child IS different and have unique needs. Our son is 6 and reading at a 3rd grade level. We have found the teachers to be passionate and create a very nurturing environment. Our children are thriving there. They are very smart, inquisitive with a burning desire to learn as much as they can while also learning respect and compassion for others. I wish I had gone through there when I was a child.
--Submitted by a parent