| Who We Are ...
Cornerstone Christian’s history began in 2002, when four Jacksonville-area individuals - Debbie Wagner, Kim Highsmith, Lois Rogers and Donna Stables – started the school to enable Jacksonville youth to obtain a solid education in a safe, nurturing environment- at an affordable price to parents.
Basing the school from the parent's perspective, the founders sought to provide Jacksonville families with an affordable, quality K-12 education. The school opened eight years ago with an enrollment of only 19 students and has grown exponentially, serving more than 300 children in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade to date. The school also boasts a 97 percent graduation rate.
Despite the misconception that private schools only cater to elite, wealthy students, Cornerstone was established to provide educational alternatives to low-income and working class families whose children may be struggling in their current public school or need a specialized environment to address their learning needs. In fact, Cornerstone has a large portion of students who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities or receive the McKay Scholarship, as well as 100 Step Up For Students scholarship recipients. The school also serves over 30 foster children from the nearby Children’s Home.
"We have 30 foster children at our group home in Jacksonville and every single one of them attend Cornerstone Christian School on Step Up For Students Scholarships," says Brandi Gonzales, M.Ed., Social Worker/Counselor at Florida Baptist Children's Homes, Jacksonville Campus. "Most of our children are very far behind academically and are at-risk for continuing down a negative path. Cornerstone Christian understands the specific educational and instructional needs of our children, and provides the necessary environment to help them cope both academically and behaviorally. The joint efforts of Cornerstone and the scholarship program have improved the quality of life for these children both in school and at the
home."
Dedicated to the success of each child, Cornerstone provides each child with the help and resources necessary to address all learning needs and challenges. The school’s programs are aligned with the Sunshine State Standards and include accelerated reading and math programs, virtual school, college dual-enrollment classes and after-school tutoring. The school also administers the TerraNova CAT Complete Battery test twice a year – during the first two weeks of school and in the spring. This method gives the school an accurate measure of growth, facilitates proper placement for each student, and
provides indicators for any areas of remediation.
“As educators, our goal is to raise the achievement level of all children in Kindergarten through 12th grade, no matter where they go to school,” Ken Brockington says. “If we can take any child who otherwise might have dropped out and turn them into successful adults, is that not the best for everyone? I would gladly urge any student who would do better at public school to leave Cornerstone to do so.
We refuse to allow any child to fail.”
| |