Cornerstone School of Summit

I have twins who attend the pre-k program at Cornerstone school. &nbsp;They are full day students. &nbsp;Their pre-k program has both a structured component where the students work on themed projects as well as an opportunity for self directed learning where they can choose to spend time in any area of the classroom. &nbsp;There is a large playground where the kids get to run and play in the morning and the afternoon. During inclement weather they play downstairs in a large room - often playing games like freeze tag or duck, duck goose, or using hula hoops. &nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their teacher emails us a weekly newsletter to let us know what they&rsquo;re working on in the classroom as well as including names of books they will be reading, words to songs they are learning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The environment is very personable. &nbsp;The teachers and the director of the school really take the time to get to know each of their students. &nbsp;I know my children are learning and being very well cared for while at school all day. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They have an excellent after care program in which all of the kids who stay go to the large art room. &nbsp;Some of the activities that the kids are involved in are: finger painting, playdo, using the large hollow blocks, book reading and music - we have teachers who play both the piano and guitar. &nbsp;My children are never quite ready to leave school when I come to pick them up.</span>

Cornerstone is such a great school!  I am a teacher with a background in early childhood, so when I started looking for my son’s first school I knew that it needed to be a special place.  Cornerstone has all of the qualities that I was looking for: a warm, caring and highly qualified staff, a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum, a philosophy that embraces diversity and encourages the development of the whole child, and a safe and welcoming environment.  My son loves going to school.  And I love bringing him to Cornerstone, where I know he is respected and appreciated as an individual and encouraged to grow and develop.

Cornerstone is great. It has inspired a real love of learning in my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She tells us stories about her day and always surprises us with something new that she now knows. But even more than this, it’s great to see her being gently pushed to grow socially and emotionally. Her teachers are very caring and have created a fun and imaginative curriculum. And the director really recognizes what's special about each kid. The school is safe and welcoming, with progressive values.    

I've been very happy with my son's Cornerstone experience. The teachers provide age-appropriate and fun activities for the children that foster positive social skill development, as well as academic learning. The environment is very positive, warm and supportive. My son loves going to school, and he's learned a lot. The facility itself is very nice, with big windows, a beautiful playground, and a great artroom. The children spend time in their own classrooms, where they're with children close to their own age, but they also have a chance to be with kids of other ages if they stay for after care. I like that my son has time with slightly older children, as I think he learns a lot from them too.

The school's director, Marybeth Doctor has extensive experience with child development and education. She has an amazing way with the children -- helping them find words for their emotions, helping them work through normal conflicts with other children, identifying learning opportunities in nearly every situation, and providing support for families.

The school also provides very flexible hours and the Kindergarten is also excellent.

I highly recommend Cornerstone to any parents that are looking for preschool, pre-K, or Kindergarten in the Summit area.