Cornerstone Academy

View the Athletics section for more information.

The Chess Club meets once a week after school. Students learn the basics of the game and how to implement strategies. The club is available for students of all ages. For more information, contact Mr. Scott Herron at 332-9947 or scoherr6@bellsouth.net

The Cornerstone Choir is available for students of both genders in 7th-12th grades. Students of all singing ability are eligible to participate, whether you're just learning the basics or have years of experience. Over the years, the Cornerstone Choir has performed at several productions and benefits, at weddings and at nursing homes, and has even sung back-up on a CD for a local band.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Cornerstone Choir is seeking a new musical director. If you or someone you know are interested, please contact the school at 378-9337 or office@cornerstone.st

The Performing Arts department at Cornerstone offers a wide range of opportunities for student participation. Other opportunities for performing arts include the Spring Showcase (a talent show for 7th-12th grades, sponsored by Student Government), Coffee As You Like It (a collection of pieces performed by the Rhetoric and Debate class), and the Living History Festival (3rd-6th grades perform various short plays about historical events).

Visit the student produced Latin Club website!

Cornerstone Academy's Math Club will be joining with the College of Engineering at the University of Florida. I would like to invite your student to participate in this exciting opportunity! Believing that math is the foundation for engineering, projects that will be presented are hands-on and interactive illustrating to students how math is used in many aspects of life. Please contact Mrs. Muni if your student would like to participate. (muni@cornerstone.st or 352-378-9337)

In the Model Airplane Club, students are provided with the unique opportunity of learning how to build and fly model airplanes. Members of the club will learn valuable engineering and science skills: principles of flight and aircraft control, basic aircraft construction and repair, safety techniques related to fuel, propellers, and aircrafts.

All members must join the Academy of Model Aeronautics ($15 fee), which provides liability insurance, and are asked to pay an additional $25 equipment fee to Cornerstone Academy.

The Model Airplane Club is open to students in 7th-12th grades. Meetings are twice a month (first and third Fridays) after school. For more information, please contact Dr. Gordon Gibby at 331-6639 or gibby@cornerstone.st

Cornerstone has had a Robotics Program since 2004. The Varsity Team has won honors in completions with Bot Ball, Technology Student Association (TSA), and internationally with Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE). Students must apply to be a part of this team. They learn a great deal in the process and are well prepared for continued study in engineering at the post-secondary level. High school credit is awarded to students in 8th grade and above.

JV and Varsity Robotics Teams - Coach Jeff Knack

Safety Patrol is available for students in both 5th & 6th grades. It is an excellent opportunity for students to grow in leadership skills. Patrols help to direct traffic at the drop-off and pick-up areas, ensure safety for young students, and even run an after-school snack stop. The group travels to Washington, DC every other year on an educational field trip that is the culmination of their service on Safety Patrol. For more information please contact Mrs. Linda Felton at felton@cornerstone.st

The Science Club participates in SECME at the University of Florida. Among other things, they learn how to build water-bottle rockets and mouse-trap cars. It is a hands-on learning experience for 4th-8th grade students. For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Liuzzo at 338-4444.

See the Speech & Debate page.

One exciting academic competition open to Cornerstone students is the Cornerstone Academy Spelling Bee. The school winner may advance to the next local level; and ultimately, there is the chance of competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Cornerstone first began conducting the spelling bee in 2003-2004. Students in the fifth through eighth grade participate. In past years the school has purchased the official study guide, Spell It, for every interested student.

This year the Scripps National Spelling Bee made two changes. It began to offer the study guide free through www.myspellit.com; however, it required that all spelling bee participants attend a school enrolled with Scripps. Cornerstone Academy is officially enrolled with Scripps.

Academic excellence in the area of language arts is stressed throughout the year; however, January is the month in which we formally focus on the bee. Most years the spelling bee begins with a kick-off activity. Past activities have included a discussion panel, a video, and a guest speaker, Katie Olson who placed sixth in the 2004 national spelling bee after winning the local and regional competitions.

Following the kick-off, classroom bees are conducted. The winner from each classroom participates in the school-wide bee. Cornerstone uses the Scripps National Spelling Bee Suggested Rules for Local Spelling Bee.

Cornerstone Student Government strives to serve the student body with excellence in service and leadership. CSG values teamwork, cooperation, and faithfulness. Opportunities are available for all students in 7th-12th grade to join CSG. Throughout the year, CSG plans eight events that benefit the student body, brings representation to voice student concerns, and works closely with the administration to implement positive changes.

Events Planned by Student Government:

• Meet the Teacher (for 7th-12th grades)
• Fall Festival (game booths)
• November Bash
• Secondary Christmas Party
• Service Projects
• Homecoming
• Spring Showcase
• End-of-the Year Party

The Tech Crew is made up of a group of hands-on students who like to build and fix things. They are a valuable asset to the school in that they do all the behind-the-scenes work for the Drama Department and are the ones that we rely upon to take care of lighting, sound and other equipment needs for every production from an assembly to a musical. Many extra hours are put in by these dedicated students who exhibit faithfulness, responsibility and leadership on a daily basis.

The Yearbook Staff at Cornerstone is comprised of students from 9th-12th grades. The staff produces an entirely student-designed book each year using Adobe InDesign CS3. This year, the yearbook will include color pages for the first time in school history.

If you're interested in joining the yearbook staff for 2010-2011, please contact Mrs. Diana Parfait at parfait@cornerstone.st. Positions in layout design and photography are available based on an interview, past experience, and willingness to learn. You must also choose to have yearbook as an elective.

Youth Alive is a student-led Bible Study and prayer group. Students encourage one another to pursue a deeper relationship with God and to impact the city and the school through prayer.