the Cornerstone philosophy
Our Mission
Knowing Jesus Christ as the foundation of life, Cornerstone Community School is dedicated to educating children in the knowledge and wonder of God’s creation. We seek to discover and develop our students’ unique gifts so they may be people of service and reconciliation in the world.
Biblical Perspective
We seek to be a Christian school by teaching from a biblical worldview. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, the truth by which the Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding of God, ourselves and the world. All of life, including the studies and disciplines in which our students are engaged, are governed and directed by the authority of the Scriptures. As a school community we strive to live out the principles which God has defined for us in Scripture as we live together in unity.
Small Class Size
Each of our classes ranges from 11-18 students. We believe small classes are necessary to meet the varied needs of young children as they grow and develop during their early education. Only with small classes can the child be known according to his/her gifts, abilities, areas of challenge, learning style, temperament, family background, etc. Small classes also enable the teacher to genuinely care for and be involved with each child and his/her family.
Multi-Grade Classes
We intentionally group multiple grade levels together because children mature physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically at very diverse rates. Class assignments need to be flexible to allow for varying plateaus and growth spurts which differ for each child. We have found the most successful grouping to be grade level for basic skills such as reading and math and multi-grade for other areas. Multi-grade classes encourage cooperative learning where students at different levels of development can interact together. As CCS grows, our students will have many positive opportunities to learn and interact with older and younger children as well as adults.
Parental Involvement
As our name states, our school is a community. We believe that God has given parents the privilege and responsibility to bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord and that schooling exists as an extension of the home and church. Because of this, parents are integrally involved in the life and work of CCS, participating in ways which take into account their interests and abilities.
We recognize that our parents are dedicated and busy individuals and have therefore established a parental involvement policy to ensure that each child’s education receives important attention and to meet our school’s vision of having parents integrally involved. This policy states that each family with one or more students attending CCS give eight hours to the school monthly for two-parent families, or four hours monthly for single-parent families. One or both parents may fulfill this hourly commitment in a variety of ways in keeping with each one’s interests and abilities. Our parents find joy in working together and being directly involved in their child’s school life. The children also experience tremendous support from the many adults with whom they come in contact.
Field Trips
Field trips and other forms of experiential education are essential components of our integrated curriculum. Our small class size enables the students to go on frequent field trips where they have the opportunity to experience and apply much of what they learn in the classroom. These outings also encourage our students to broaden their minds and envision possibilities for service in the kingdom of God. Through these diverse experiences they develop a love for learning which takes them far beyond the classroom walls and aids them in becoming motivated, life-long learners.
What is the purpose of education?
This question can be answered in many ways. While our answer is not static, it is much of the basis of why we have chosen the methods which will be employed at CCS. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Our education must ultimately fit into this outline of understanding. Furthermore, we believe education must contribute to the building of God’s kingdom on earth. One part of this is preparing students to fulfill the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28, to fill and subdue the earth. Students must be prepared to be agents of redemption in all areas of life. While we say “prepared” this does not mean that the only purpose of education is future preparation.
The children benefit from simply enjoying the process of education and fulfilling their callings to be students right here and now. This is why we educate. Stated in another way, the overall aim of Christian education is to help and guide students to be and become responsive disciples of Jesus Christ.
As we consider how we are to educate children, the following ideals are foundational to CCS.
We believe children need a place where they...
• Develop values, morals, and strong character according to biblical standards
• Know that God is the One who created and sustains the world
• Learn to show respect for others and their property
• Experience and value service to others
• Learn to take responsibility for their actions and to some extent, for their own learning
• Learn in a drug-free, safe environment
• Are free to be children—to play, to observe, to explore and to learn well
• Gain a quality education in a supportive, caring environment
• Love to learn
We desire to implement strategies and programs that are consistent with these ideals in order to be faithful stewards of the many resources with which God has entrusted us.
