So what does our family enjoy at Cornerstone Christian Academy?  Asking our kids, we hear a range of ideas:

“We get to pray in a circle every day”

"The teachers are really nice”

“We get to learn a lot”

“Plays and concerts”

“My friends are there”

“P.E. and recess”

“Amazing field trips” (i.e. 3 days and 2 nights at Camp Timber-Lee)

As parents, we echo these simple observations and add so much from our perspective.  God has entrusted to us four unique, amazing children.  We have them for a short time only (as every empty-nester reminds us), and we must make the most of the time we have with them.  With the tremendous joy of having these wonderful kids comes an even greater responsibility to nurture their bodies, minds, and hearts.  And with so much time and influence that education has for our children, we have always sought to place them in a school environment that supports our desires for them.

There are many choices for educating our children in Central Illinois.  The public schools compare well with other school districts in the state, there are several private school options, and home school families have a network of support.  We know, because we have researched and utilized all of these options over the last seven years.

So what led our family to Cornerstone Christian Academy? It started with a desire to provide one of our children in particular a higher academic challenge and uplifting spiritual environment.  We moved him to Cornerstone in the middle of his first-grade school year, and his new teacher immediately showed him the same love she had for the others in her class.  He was energized by the rigorous curriculum.  Our initial expectations were met and surpassed, and we were convinced that all of our children would be blessed through a Cornerstone education.  The next fall, we transitioned our fifth- and fourth- graders, and we started our first-grader who we had homeschooled for Kindergarten.  All four children are now thriving in their third year at Cornerstone Christian Academy.

The school has exceeded our expectations for instructional learning and physical education, pushing our kids beyond the “lowest common denominator” toward their greatest potential.  The work instills discipline as they learn math, writing, Spanish, the wonders of science, Bible, economics, and so much more – we are often amazed at what the teachers can pack into a week.  The classroom instruction is complemented by community activities and field trips that offer fun, engaging enrichment.  Last year, our children visited parks, did community service projects, took a three-day outdoor education trip to Wisconsin, and visited the Zoo and Science Museum in St. Louis.

Cornerstone certainly provides a top-notch educational experience, but what makes us wholly grateful for it is the amount of love and spiritual nurturing that is poured upon our children every day.  At what other school does the entire faculty pray together for a half hour before the start of each day, asking the Holy Spirit to guide their efforts and cover our children?  What curriculum includes Bible training of the Old and New Testament accounts, Scripture memorization, and life application of Christian truths?  What other school seeks heart change and abundant grace in its approach to discipline rather than just classroom control and behavior modification? Where else could we send them for weekly assemblies to bolsters sincere worship and Spiritual growth?

God has entrusted four great treasures to us.  We must guard their hearts from dark influences, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and prepare them for all of life that will follow their time under our care.  As parents who love and want the absolute best for our children, we are thankful for God’s provision of Cornerstone Christian Academy and the opportunity to have our kids there.

We commend this bright place to all of you who desire to see learning, care, and growth for each of the treasures God has given to you.

A Cornerstone Dad