Have I mentioned lately that I’m a planner? It must come with the organization brain. I like to plan anything and everything. That includes planning for our children’s education. Even though Peanut will not officially start her homeschooling experience until this summer, I have read more books on homeschooling and done more curriculum writing and prep work than many a sane home school family. Does that make me any better than them or more prepared? No. It just helps this momma mentally focus on what’s ahead.
All that to say, one of the suggestions found in several home school books and guides is to create a foundation of education for your home school. Basically, as parents, it’s important to think through why you want to home school. For instance, what do you want your school to stand for? What do you want your children to learn from homeschooling that they might not otherwise learn from another setting? Who do you want your children to be as a result of homeschooling? Etc.
In that line of thinking, I thought I’d share what we have deemed our foundation. Yes, it probably is a little above and beyond the call of duty but hey, you never know…we might create some really cool shirts to wear someday to a track event or something and we’ll already know what to put on them. 😉 In any case, my reason for sharing is to hopefully inspire others as they plan for their future as a homeschooling family. Hopefully, it will help you to pause and think about what you REALLY want to get out of homeschooling when its all said and done.
Public schools, private schools, non-profit foundations and the like all take time to analyze where they want to go and what they want to stand for. We, as homeschoolers, should not be any different; if anything we should be extra sensitive about the who and what and why because you never know when we will have to account for it.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech,in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Mission:
To equip our children with the tools and joy for learning through a Christ-centered, academically enriching education within the nurturing environment of the home.
Vision:
To develop godly students who will grow in favor with God and man and utilize their God-given gifts, talents, and education to impact future generations for the glory of God.
Creed:
I am a unique and special child of God. There is no one I would rather be than me. I accept the responsibility to set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and inpurity so as to never give anyone doubt of my character. I accept the challenge to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. I believe the choices I make today will affect what I will become in the future. Therefore, today, I will do my best with joy for I am loved, I can learn, and with God I will succeed!
Statement of Faith:
We believe in God, the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth, in Jesus Christ, His only Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, was crucified and buried and on the third day rose again, and in the Holy Spirit, who gives us wisdom, strength, perseverance, and love to be a witness for the Son.
We believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God but that the gift of life is available for all who believe in Jesus Christ, His Son.
We believe in the Bible, the Holy and inerrant Word of God, our sole authority.
We believe in the sanctity of human life, that children are a blessing from the Lord, and that He has given us the right and responsibility to train up a child in the way he should go so that when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Philosophy of Education:
Founded in 2012, Cornerstone Christian Academy was established as a home school with the goal of providing a Bible centered, academically sound, comprehensive yet eclectic education while building stronger relationships among family members and community. Because God has placed the responsibility for teaching children with parents, we found it necessary to operate a school for our children in which we, as teachers, the curriculum, and the environment are in one accord with biblical principles.
We declare that our children should be taught how to live a full and complete life to the glory of God. This education must take into consideration all of our children’s needs—spiritual, academic, physical, and social. We recognize that training in all of these areas is crucial for the development of the total child.
Cornerstone Christian Academy shall provide a quality education and shall develop in our children a biblical mindset, good study habits, the ability and desire to continue the process of education, strong moral character, honesty, dependability, and appreciation for physical labor and encourage the development of self-discipline and responsibility based on respect for and submission to God. Our aim is to help our children develop their personalities based on a proper understanding and acceptance of themselves as unique individuals created by God for His purposes and on the fullest possible development of their own capabilities. In addition, we believe that homeschooling our children provides each child with an optimal learning environment suited for our children’s individual needs, learning styles, and development.
—
