Our Educational Philosophy
The educational philosophy of Cornerstone Christian Academy reflects our vision of a worshiping, learning, serving, and evangelizing community that is in partnership with families to develop children to their highest potentials: spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, culturally, and morally (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Luke 2:40, 52). We believe all children are children of God and that God has a good and hopeful plan for each child (Jeremiah 29:11). As a witness to this plan, we believe:
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All children should develop spiritually, nurtured in faith, wisdom, and biblical knowledge, in order to know, love and serve God and walk in God's light throughout life (Luke 2:40, 52).
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All children should develop intellectually, taught with the highest standards of instruction from basic skills to higher order concepts and cultural literacy (Proverbs 4:1-7).
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All children should develop physically, developing and honoring their bodies as "temples of God" in strength and health (Proverbs 3:7-8, Isaiah 40:29, 31, I Corinthians 6:19-20.
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All children should develop emotionally, becoming self-confident, self-disciplined, and self-directed, secure in the knowledge of being a unique, talented, and precious child of God (Philippians 4:13).
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All children should develop socially, to have friends, to be a friend, and to care for others as they wish to be cared for themselves (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, John 15:13-15).
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All children should have a thorough knowledge of culture, theirs as well as others, appreciating the interdependence and dignity of all people (I Corinthians 12:12-30, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 4:2-5).
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All children should develop morally, consciously able to discern right from wrong, to know the good, do the good and love the good, demonstrating Christian character at all times (Proverbs 2:6-9).
Children learn best in a positive climate of respect, safety, discipline and trust, where the educational program is designed and guided by Christian men and women who are knowledgeable, dedicated, qualified and loving educators, and where interactive experiences are provided that appeal to multiple intelligences and learning styles.
Accreditation
Cornerstone Christian Academy is a Candidate for Accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International.
The Value of Accreditation - Accreditation is a seal of quality on a school. It is a visible sign that the school has attained and is accountable to adhering to institutional educational standards of quality. It is also a verification that the school is committed to continuously pursuing excellence by engaging in strategic planning for improvement. In the end, accreditation is authentication that we are who we say we are and we do what we say it is our mission to do.
The Process of Accreditation - The process involves three elements: 1. intensive, institution-wide self-appraisal; 2. external consultation and validation from a visiting peer group; 3. ongoing accountability for school improvement. The Steering Committee plans to hear a final decision from ACSI on the school's accreditation by mid-2013.
ACSI Accreditation Protocol - REACH: Accreditation Manual for EE-12 North American and International Schools. The ten (10) standards in this document are comprehensive declarations of quality procedures and practices that should exist in schools that are striving to achieve superior performance and strong effectiveness based on educational research and quality practices from a distinctively Christian perspective.
Accreditation Timeline: May 2011 – March 2013
May 16, 2011 – Accreditation Process and Sub-Committee Assignments
June 13 – Standard One draft review
July 18 – Standard One draft completed
Aug. 29 - Presentation to CCA Faculty and Staff
Sept. 19 - Standards Two and Four drafts review
Oct. 17 - Standards Two and Four drafts completed, Standard Three draft review
Dec. 5 - Standard Three draft completed, Standards Seven and Eights drafts review
Jan. 23, 2012 - Standards Seven and Eight drafts completed, Standard Six draft review
March 19 - Standards Six draft completed, Standards Five and Nine drafts review
April 16 - Standards Five and Nine drafts completed
May 21 - First Review of ALL DRAFTS, ACSI consultant visit
June 18 - Review of FINAL DRAFT to be presented at June 23 Board of Trustees meeting
June 23 - Presentation to CCA Board of Trustees
July 16 - Standard Ten work begins
Aug. 27 - Presentation to CCA Faculty and Staff, ACSI consultant visit
Sept. 24 - Standard Ten progress report
Oct. 29 - Standard Ten draft review
Nov. 26 - Self-Study Document Final Review, ACSI consultant visit
Dec. 17 - Self-Study Accreditation Document Submitted to ACSI
March 2013 - ACSI Visitation Team
Accreditation Steering Committee - This group was formed in spring 2011, and is composed of members of the Board of Trustees, volunteers, parents, and former and current staff. The committee is co-chaired by President/CEO Dick Ollinger, and board member Peter Grim. The group is charged with completing the self-study that documents the current procedures and practices of the school in the ten standards' areas. The Committee meets once per month to review completed assignments, and plan for completion of the self-study.
Sub-Committee Assignments
Standard One – Philosophy and Foundations (Dick Ollinger)
Standard Two – Governance and Administrative Leadership (Rebecca Clayton)
Standard Three – Home and Community Relations and Student Services (Carey Davis)
Standard Four – Personnel (Dick Ollinger, Deborah Lee)
Standard Five – Instructional Program (Jamila Rimmer, Debbie Staats, Deborah Lee)
Standard Six – Library, Media, and Technology Services (Jim Rush, Melanie Brown)
Standard Seven – Crisis Planning, Safety, Health, and Food/Nutrition Services (Peter Grim)
Standard Eight – Facilities, Environment, and Transportation (Peter Grim)
Standard Nine – Character, Values, and Spiritual Development of Students (Rimmer, Staats, Lee)
Standard Ten – Continuous School Improvement (All committee members)
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