Moral Character Development is Essential to Education

“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are strongly committed to developing student’s intellectual capabilities but we believe, with Dr. King, that true education unites character and intelligence. Through our core values and relationships, we cast a vision of the good life for students and encourage them to grow in these habits.

Biblical Foundation

Our foundational principles at Cornerstone are derived from our faith in Christ and the Bible. A primary goal is for students to know Christ and grow in the habits of loving God and their neighbor. All of the leadership and faculty at Cornerstone affirm the Statement of Faith which is taught throughout the curriculum and modeled by our staff and volunteers.

Parents/caregivers and students are not required to affirm the statement of faith but have understanding that this forms the basis of community and instruction at Cornerstone.

LIONS Core Values

Our community puts this into practice with a daily focus on our five LIONS values.

  • LOVE: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31)

  • INTEGRITY: Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely…if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

  • OPPORTUNITY: Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

  • NOBILITY: We are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16-17)

  • STRENGTH: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Weekly Chapel

All grades have a weekly chapel to hear worship music and a message from Cornerstone staff or a community leader and seek to apply this to their lives. Teachers recognize students during chapel who have modeled the Core Values in an exceptional way. 

Community Partners

We actively involve local churches, the DC Dream Center and Mentoring Program, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and other Christian ministries to provide mentoring, after-school and weekend programs, and personal support for students’ discipleship as a follower of Christ.

Grades 2-8 Partner Program

With parental permission, students in Grades 2-8 are matched with a community volunteer who visits on-campus four times per year to get to know each other, do creative activities together, and to encourage your student. In between visits, partners write letters of encouragement to their students. Students look forward to their partner visits and want more!

Restorative Discipline

We approach student discipline with a primary goal towards student and community restoration. All teachers are trained on restorative discipline practices. We hope to instill in each of our students how to honestly and lovingly resolve conflict. When a conflict occurs, we actively engage the conflicting parties and sometimes the entire class in a process to determine responsibility and seek restoration and peace.