Cornerstone Preporatory Pre-kindergarten

Cornerstone Prep provides a quality, public education to low-income families in the city. Cornerstone Preps approach to education is based on successful urban schools around the country and includes:

o Intense focus on the core subjects: math and reading

Math and reading proficiency are absolutely required building blocks for success in elementary and high school. For students skills to reach appropriate grade levels and to incorporate the language and math skills needed to learn, it is imperative for students to have sustained blocks of instruction for both.

o More time learning, created by an extended academic day and year

Cornerstone Prep recognizes the need for students to receive extended practice on skills taught in the classroom setting. Therefore, Cornerstone Prep will have both an extended day and extended year. Additionally, students receive nightly homework, including Friday nights.

o Standards-based lesson plans, curriculum, and assessments

Cornerstone Prep uses the K-5 educational standards, as mandated by the Tennessee Department of Education, and also uses the K-5 educational standards for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cornerstone Prep students are learning at a pace that parallels the best students across the nation. Further, Cornerstone Prep synthesizes standards from the Terra Nova national achievement test to prepare Cornerstone Prep students to compete on the national level.

o Intentional character and leadership development

The school intentionally promotes two concepts: the development of men and women of character who lead within their communities. We prepare students not only to be leaders in their school but to become life-changing leaders in their community after leaving school.

o Fast-paced, challenging learning environment

The road to college success for children in Memphis consists primarily of 2 facets: expectation and preparation. Every Cornerstone Prep student is expected to go to college. This expectation is communicated to students from the very first day they enter the school. For that reason, the learning environment is fast-paced and challenging.

o High standards for students and teachers

Not only are our standards high for our college-bound students, but also for our teachers. Cornerstone Prep engages in extensive searches to find exemplary teachers. Teachers hold at least a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in Elementary Education or a related field.