Cornerstone Christian Academy

“He learned sword-fighting and riding, swimming and diving, how to shoot with the bow and play on the recorder and the theorbo, how to hunt the stag and cut him up when he was dead, besides Cosmography, Rhetoric, Heraldry, Versification, and of course History, with a little Law, Physic, Alchemy, and Astronomy. Of Magic he learned only the theory, for Doctor Cornelius said the practical part was not a proper study for princes."

C.S. Lewis
Prince Caspian

We make no secret about it: we believe the covenant children of Cornerstone Christian Academy require an education for modern day princes and princesses of the "chosen nation…royal priesthood" (I Peter 2:9) spoken of in the New Testament. And just as Doctor Cornelius gave careful consideration to which subjects would be appropriate for the young Prince Caspian, so have we given careful thought to our curriculum design.


Academic Curriculum - Overview

Kindergarten
Kindergarten is considered a foundational program for five-year-olds, however, we believe that young children need to spend the majority of their time at this age at home and should not be overtaxed by a long daily school regimen. Because of this, the kindergarten program at CCA is limited to four days per week (Monday-Thursday) with a daily schedule from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Our curriculum in kindergarten lays the foundation for future academic success with developmentally appropriate readiness activities in all skill areas. In our learning-to-read program we use materials which employ a consistent phonetic interpretation of the written language. In math we emphasize both the grammar of the rudimentary number concepts with the logic of hands-on manipulatives to aid in understanding. We enlarge the child's environment through the discovery of nature and the physical world around him. We lay a foundation for relational learning through learning about and serving the communities in which we live.

Grades 1 & 2
These grades provide the basic tools of learning in the key areas of reading, writing, and mathematics, and are enhanced by units of study and inquiry in the fields of science, history and geography. Key elements center on the development of habits of mind and spirit such as attentiveness, respect, responsibility, and reverence. Students will participate in art and music studies, as well as in nature studies. Teachers will "enliven" the minds of the children towards great literature by reading aloud to them from many living books relative to their course of study.
 
Grade 3
Grade Three is a study of the world at large. Students begin with local geography (Arizona) and then begin an exploration   of the continents, oceans, landforms, climates, peoples, and cultures of the world. The year is to be an overview for the emphasis upon history in later grades. By this time, the student has gained some proficiency and independence in the core subjects of reading, language arts and writing, and mathematics. At this point, students are exposed to literature which integrates with their geography studies (e.g., Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Heidi, Swiss Family Robinson). Students are introduced to basic research techniques and complete copybooks revealing their growing understanding and assimilation of the world about them. Map-reading and map-making, weather and climate, and the properties of air will bring science into the Grade Three curriculum. Art, music, nature studies, recitations, and Shakespeare studies continue as with other grades. Latin studies also begin in Grade Three.

Grades 4 & 5
Having been prepared by a strong foundation in Grades One, Two, and Three - not only by the "skills" of reading, writing, and mathematics, but by a working knowledge of the history and geography of the world — students are now challenged to study history in an organized and meaningful way. In fact, the history of the world becomes a focus for exploration by the student into the important people, places and events of antiquity to modern times. Literature, science, art and music will be integrated into each time period under investigation. Students keep Books of Centuries (copybooks) in which they themselves chronicle their discoveries category by category. An emphasis upon research provides students with tools for "finding out" in an organized manner-the use of research techniques (note-taking, outlining, searching and gathering resources, drafting, and final copy), living books, and hands-on learning make history a living study. Literature selections are used (both student-read and teacher-read-aloud) as a foundation to make the study of history exciting and relevant. At this point in the curriculum, the art and music appreciation and recitations follow along with the period of history under study. As with other grades, nature notebooks, Latin instruction, and Shakespeare studies continue.

Grade 6
Sixth grade students begin their year with an exciting and educational trip to Catalina Island where they explore the ocean and tidal pools which integrates into their science curriculum for the year. The sixth grade class takes center stage in the annual Shakespeare production held in the Catalina Foothills Church sanctuary which is transformed into the Globe Theatre.  In addition to their academic studies as described above, sixth-grade students are given leadership opportunities and responsibilities in morning chapel, in younger classrooms, and in the school office. A sixth grade promotion ceremony is held at the end of the school year to celebrate their achievements.

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