Cornerstone Learning Community: Nurturing Compassionate, Well-Rounded Students for Over Two Decades
Cornerstone Learning Community (CLC) stands as a beacon of progressive education, fostering compassionate, well-rounded students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade for over 25 years. Throughout its history, CLC has emphasized character development, community involvement through service learning, environmental stewardship, and academic excellence. The school's commitment extends to creating a safe and joyful environment where each child can learn and grow, supported by a team of passionate faculty and staff.
A Foundation of Values
CLC's core virtues-compassion, perseverance, giving, responsibility, self-discipline, respect, and honesty-inform all aspects of its elementary programming, from academics to social-emotional learning. These virtues are not merely taught but are integrated into the daily life of the school, shaping students into responsible and caring individuals. As stewards of Cornerstone’s values, Trustees lead with humility, curiosity, and a deep respect for the voices of students, families, faculty, and staff. The school strives for a globally inclusive environment and seeks faculty who reflect cultural and ethnic diversity. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that students are exposed to a wide range of perspectives, preparing them to be global citizens.
Community Engagement and Service Learning
From its inception, Cornerstone Learning Community has instilled in its students a sense of responsibility towards their community and the environment. Over the years, Cornerstone student ambassadors have actively participated in various service-learning initiatives, demonstrating the school's commitment to making a tangible difference in the world.
Examples of these initiatives include:
- Serving lunches at local homeless shelters to address food insecurity and provide support to those in need.
- Campaigning for environmental causes to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues and advocate for sustainable practices.
- Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to help build affordable housing for families in the community.
- Planting thousands of long-leaf pines to restore ecosystems and promote biodiversity.
- Designing fundraisers to aid those impacted by natural disasters, providing crucial support during times of crisis.
These experiences empower students to leverage their own agency to positively impact their community.
Read also: Alumni Impact: Cornerstone University
Environmental Stewardship and Experiential Learning
CLC continues to embrace environmental education and direct experiences through nature. Individual classes regularly visit Longview Farms, a local sustainable farm, where the farm’s teacher leads students in activities that range from plant and tree identification to understanding sustainable farming practices. This hands-on approach allows students to connect with nature, learn about sustainable agriculture, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment.
Academic Excellence and Innovative Programs
By adopting progressive and rigorous curricula such as the International Baccalaureate Middle School Programme, Cornerstone teachers continue to find new, creative ways to make learning both engaging and meaningful. The IB program engages students in rigorous problem-solving through creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, with an emphasis on compassion, justice, and inclusion. This approach not only fosters academic excellence but also equips students with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
As the school continues to evolve, students enjoy a diverse range of programs, including robotics, math and science competitions, music concerts, and plays. These programs provide students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and build confidence.
Preschool and Elementary Programs: Building a Strong Foundation
Cornerstone Learning Community believes that preschool should be a joyful beginning-a place where children are loved, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them. The school's play-based program nurtures the whole child-socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively-through hands-on experiences and rich relationships.
Kindergarteners enjoy days full of discovery, connection, and creativity through developmentally appropriate and hands-on learning experiences. They develop strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and math-while also growing as creative thinkers, compassionate classmates, and curious explorers.
Read also: Learn about Cornerstone Early Learning
CLC's elementary program builds on itself, year after year. As learners grow from developing to mastering core academic skills, they also deepen their understanding of themselves and their world, culminating in a tour of the Southeast with a focus on the Civil Rights Movement. This immersive experience allows students to learn about history firsthand and develop a deeper understanding of social justice issues.
Preparing Students for the Future
CLC's authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) program engages students in rigorous problem-solving through creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Our graduates enter high school prepared to excel. The emphasis on these skills ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of high school and beyond. The school has seen students soar to great heights, challenge themselves, surprise themselves, and grow a joy for learning, exploring, and service.
Supporting the CLC Mission
The CLC Fund is the foundation of fundraising at Cornerstone. The annual pledge drive occurs each year in the fall, but donations are welcome and appreciated year-round. Your tax-deductible gift helps initiate and sustain programs throughout the school community and directly impacts each student’s experience. The community is challenged to reach 100% participation as a way of demonstrating a shared commitment to transformational learning.
To ensure the future of the CLC student experience for generations to come, the school is engaged in an ambitious campus renewal plan that will improve the campus to accommodate current and future needs. Whether contributing to the endowment fund or leaving a planned gift to CLC makes a lasting impact for generations of students to come.
Cornerstone Learning Community is a private school with a public mission.
Read also: Landing a Cornerstone Research Internship
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