Philosophy

The pursuit of academic excellence is a fundamental aim of Cornerstone School.

The Montessori philosophy incorporates an emphasis on independent thinking, self-inspiration and personal development. Children are encouraged to move beyond the standard measures of academic success by channelling their powers of curiosity, imagination, creativity and self-discovery. Teachers and staff work to instil a strongly held set of values within each student, including such virtues as honesty, integrity, responsibility, empathy and kindness.

It is our belief at Cornerstone that the secret to education is to inspire a passion for excellence within the child that transcends school-life.

 How our philosophy translates into the classroom:

• Class sizes are small.

• One can seldom hear a teacher’s voice at Cornerstone primary school; the classrooms are quiet, with a healthy “hum” of children’s voices and a teacher giving small group lessons.

• Children who are in the same grade are working at different levels with their daily Language and Math assigned work.

• If a child in Grade 2 (for example) has mastered the Grade 2 math learning outcomes, that child continues to receive lessons in Math that go beyond Grade 2.

• If a child is struggling to grasp Math concepts, they will receive individual lessons with hands on materials in an effort to gain a solid understanding.

• If a child has a question, they are free to walk up to their teacher in the class and place their hand on the teacher’s shoulder. They wait patiently for the teacher to address them.

• Children are encouraged to produce neat and tidy work.

• Children are trained to know where their work is to be filed, and how to care for all completed work.

• Children are trained to speak politely to one another and to their teachers, and to follow all of the grace and courtesy expectations.