Our Curriculum

The first step is crucial to setting a strong academic foundation. Our Kindergarten students are positioned to master the following skills during this first crucial year of development:

Phonics

• Recognize and write all capital and lowercase letters
• Identify all phonetic sounds of the alphabet
• Understand short and long vowel sounds
• Blend two to three phonemes into recognizable words (e.g., cat, him, pet)
• Recognize words with short and long vowels
• Perform at an appropriate reading level

Mathematics

• Recognize shapes, colors, sizes, and positional words
• Sort and classify objects
• Count and write numbers from 1–20; rote count to 100
• Understand basic addition and subtraction
• Compare numbers
• Connect counting to quantities

Handwriting

• Print first and last names using correct letter formation

Our 1st - 4th grade curriculums build on foundations from the previous year, and are focused on grade-level appropriate subject matter and lesson plans that adhere to Common Core standards.

English Language Arts

• Reading comprehension (literature and informational)
  • Key ideas and details
  • Craft and structure
  • Integration of knowledge and ideas
  • Range of reading and level of text complexity
• Foundational skills
  • Book handling
  • Print concepts
  • Phonological awareness
  • Phonics and word recognition
  • Fluency
• Writing
  • Informative/explanatory, Opinion/argumentative, and Narrative
  • Response to literature
  • Production and distribution of writing
  • Technology and publication
  • Conducting research
  • Credibility, reliability, and validity of sources
  • Range of writing
• Language skills
  • Conventions of standard English
  • Knowledge of language
  • Vocabulary acquisition and use

Mathematics

• 1st Grade
  • Represent and solve problems
  • Properties of operations
  • Addition and subtraction within 20
  • Place value
  • Measurements and length units
• 2nd Grade
  • Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction
  • Measure and estimate lengths in standard units
  • Relate addition and subtraction to length
• 3rd Grade
  • Explain and identify patterns in arithmetic
  • Multiply and divide within 100
  • Develop understanding of fractions as numbers
  • Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of time, volume, and mass
  • Geometric measurement (using multiplication and addition to relate to area)
• 4th Grade
  • Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems
  • Perform multi-digit arithmetic
  • Fraction equivalence and ordering
  • Decimal notation

Science

• Life science
• Physical science
• Earth and space science
• Environmental literacy and sustainability
• Technology and engineering

Social Studies

• Civics
• Economics
• Geography
• History

All Science Students learn through experimentation and demonstration when applicable. Middle School students are given the opportunity to investigate and perform an experiment, culminating in a judged Science Fair. 

5th Grade: Exploring Science

• Properties of Matter: the characteristics and states of matter, including density, solubility, and conductivity; physical and chemical changes, reactions, and the conservation of mass.
• Science of Earth: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere; water distribution and properties; human impacts on Earth’s systems and sustainable practices
• Solar System: planets, moons, and the sun; celestial patterns such as the movement of stars and planets, and the phases of the moon.
• Energy and Food: food chains and food webs, how matter and energy cycle through ecosystems.

6th Grade: Earth Science

• Earth: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, climate and climate change
• Earth events: earthquakes volcanoes, weathering, erosion, and soil formation
• Geology: rocks and minerals
• Meteorology

7th Grade: Life Science

• Scientific method in biology, characteristics of life, cell processes, structure and function, cellular respiration and photosynthesis; mitosis and meiosis
• Genetics and Heredity DNA: genes, and chromosomes, Mendelian genetics and Punnett squares
• Genetic mutations and biotechnology

8th Grade: Physical Science

• Scientific method: measurement; matter and energy basics.
• Chemistry: atomic structure and periodic table; chemical bonding and reactions; states of matter and phase changes; acids, bases, and solutions
• Physics: motion and forces; energy (kinetic, potential, thermal); work and power; waves (sound, light, and electromagnetic spectrum)

5th Grade:

• Base Ten: place value system; operations and decimals
• Fractions: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• Algebraic Thinking: numerical expressions, understanding patterns and relationships
• Measurement and Units: representing data, geometric measurement
• Geometry: graphing points for real-world problems, 2-D figures

6th Grade:

• Proportions: ratio concepts; using ratio reasoning to solve problems
• Number System: dividing fractions by fractions, rational numbers
• Expressions and Equations: algebraic expressions, one-variable equations, relationships
• Geometry: real-world problems with area, surface area, and volume
• Statistics and Probability: statistical variability; distribution

7th Grade:

• Ratios/Proportional relationships: solving real-world problems
• Number System: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers
• Expressions and Equations: equivalent expressions, solving real-life algebraic problems
• Geometry: drawing and describing figures, solving real-life problems
• Statistics and Probability: random sampling, probability models

8th Grade:

• The Number System: Approximating non-rational numbers
• Expressions and Equations: radicals, integer exponents; proportional relationships; solving linear equations
• Functions: defining, evaluating, and comparing functions; modeling relationships between quantities
• Geometry: congruence, using models, and software; Pythagorean Theorem
• Statistics and probability: patterns

Middle School English Language Arts emphasizes the development of critical reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

• Reading comprehension (literature and informational)
  • Key ideas and themes
  • Text structure
  • Vocabulary
  • Integration of knowledge and ideas
• Speaking and listening skills
  • Presentations
  • Collaborative discussions
  • Interpreting diverse media formats
• Writing
  • Compose informative, argumentative, and narrative texts
  • Grammar
  • Production and distribution of writing
  • Technology and publication
  • Conducting research
  • Credibility, reliability, and validity of sources
  • Range of writing

5th Grade: American history, Civics, and Geography

Students explore how physical systems, such as landforms and climate, affect people within various regions. They learn to describe the unique characteristics of places and regions across the United States. In civics, students examine the basic purposes of government at different levels—from the classroom and school to the community, state, and nation. They also begin to interpret key ideas about government and build a strong foundation for responsible citizenship.

6th Grade: Geography

The study of space and place on Earth’s surface and how geography influences life across the globe. Students use geographic tools to organize and interpret information about people, places, and the environment. Students describe and locate places and regions based on physical and human features, and examine their unique characteristics. The curriculum also emphasizes the human characteristics of places, including population, culture, settlement patterns, economic activities, and political structures.

7th Grade: World History

Students develop global competencies by exploring the significant social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of key individuals and groups throughout world history. They examine essential historical documents, artifacts, and significant sites to understand their relevance and impact on civilizations. Additionally, students analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have shaped historical events and global relationships. This course encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global societies across time.

8th Grade: Civics

This curriculum focuses on the principles and ideals of American republican government, as established by the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Students examine the roles that individuals and groups have played in shaping the social, political, cultural, and economic development of the United States. They evaluate the significance of key historical documents, artifacts, and landmarks, and analyze how continuity and change over time—through belief systems, commerce, technology, politics, geography, and social organizations—have influenced the nation’s history. The curriculum also explores how conflict and cooperation related to race, labor, immigration, military action, and economic stability have impacted the country’s growth and development.

Cornerstone's art class involves teacher-led, hands-on group lessons to foster the following elements of art and art appreciation:

Creating: Generating new artistic ideas and work

Performing, presenting, and producing: Sharing artistic work with an audience

Responding: Understanding and evaluating how art conveys meaning

Connecting: Relating artistic ideas and work to personal, societal, cultural, and historical contexts

The reading and study of Scripture is integrated into all subjects and school affairs.

Cornerstone students learn how to think biblically and act critically, so that their minds will be filled with knowledge and their hearts will be enlightened “with faith, hope, love, and wisdom.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Through Christian Concepts learning, students establish a personal relationship with Jesus. We instruct the established Word of God and prepare our students to apply Biblical truths to life situations with confidence and integrity.

Cornerstone students experience Music Education, Music Fundamentals and Music Theory.

There is also the opportunity for Group and One-on-one Vocal and Piano training—giving students a better understanding and appreciation for music whileincreasing their musical-analytical skills andcultivating their current abilities.

Students will be able to:

• Gain a better understanding and appreciation for music

• Discover and enhance their current musical skills and abilities

• Have an opportunity to express themselves which relieves stress and tension

• Enhance memory

• Exercise more brain power through playing instruments

• Learn to work together as a team which promoting social and emotional skills

• Become more self-confident through music, building their confidence

Physical Education plays a crucial role in the holistic development of Cornerstone students, fostering not only physical fitness but also essential life skills.

Our physical education program focuses on fitness, teamwork, trust, and discipline, which are fundamental in both sports and daily life. At Cornerstone, we want to teach our students to be fit for a lifetime.

Through Physical Education, Cornerstone students will:

• Enjoy and seek out physical activity.
•  Develop and maintain acceptable levels of physical fitness.
•  Develop a variety of basic movement and manipulative skills so they will experience success and feel comfortable during present and future physical activity pursuits.
• Develop the ability to get along with others in movement environments.