Academics
Play is the cornerstone of academic readiness
Academics at Cornerstone
Rooted in trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning (SEL), and a deep commitment to early literacy, Cornerstone creates safe, healing-centered spaces where children are empowered to thrive. At the center of this work is the belief that play is not just a learning activity, it is the most developmentally appropriate and powerful way young children make sense of their world. Through purposeful, structured play, students build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, strengthen relationships, and learn to solve problems all while engaging in joyful, hands-on discovery.
What makes Cornerstone truly innovative is how it integrates emotional wellness, academic excellence, and culturally responsive practices through the lens of play. We don’t treat play as an extra, we treat it as essential. It drives our instruction, informs our classroom environments, and supports both cognitive and emotional development. Play is how we teach children to read, express emotions, regulate their behavior, and connect with others.
Kindergarten
Cornerstone’s Kindergarten program builds strong academic foundations through a play-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approach. Instruction focuses on early literacy, foundational math, inquiry-based science, and social-emotional learning. Children develop reading and writing skills through structured phonics, storytelling, and meaningful writing experiences, while math instruction emphasizes number sense, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration. Learning is intentionally designed to honor children’s identities, encourage curiosity, and support confidence and independence.
Grades 1–3
Cornerstone’s Grades 1–3 program advances academic learning through a play-based, project-driven, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approach that centers student voice, collaboration, and real-world connections. Literacy, mathematics, science, and social-emotional learning are integrated into meaningful projects and purposeful play experiences that promote inquiry, creativity, and problem solving. Students strengthen reading and writing skills through research, discussion, storytelling, and authentic writing tasks, while mathematics instruction emphasizes conceptual understanding, reasoning, and hands-on application. Through guided play, collaborative exploration, and interdisciplinary projects, students investigate questions that matter to them and their communities. Learning is intentionally designed to affirm students’ identities, cultivate curiosity, and build confidence, agency, and independence as learners.
Subjects
Literacy & Language Arts
Reading, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening
Mathematics
Number sense, operations, problem-solving, reasoning, and math fluency
Science & Inquiry
Exploration, observation, experimentation, and early scientific thinking
Social Studies & Humanities
Community, history, geography, civics, and cultural understanding
(Expanded humanities and novel studies in Grade 3)
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional awareness, self-regulation, relationship skills, and executive functioning
Cultural Arts & Creative Expression
Visual arts, music, movement, drama, and storytelling
Physical Education & Outdoor Learning
Gross motor development, wellness, coordination, and nature-based exploration
Technology & Media Awareness
Age-appropriate digital literacy, problem-solving, and responsible technology use
Sports
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Music & The Arts
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Clubs & Activities
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Faith
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