Welcome to Cornerstone School

Our mission is to promote the development of children through a play-based curriculum that ignites curiosity, inspires creativity, and promotes character. We are committed to strengthening families by offering opportunities for discussions, parenting and child development workshops, and social events where parents and children can connect with other members of the community. Cornerstone School promotes understanding and diversity in a community that is energized by a variety of faith, traditions, and cultures.

Learn More

Welcome to Cornerstone School

Our mission is to promote the development of children through a play-based curriculum that ignites curiosity, inspires creativity, and promotes character. We are committed to strengthening families by offering opportunities for discussions, parenting and child development workshops, and social events where parents and children can connect with other members of the community. Cornerstone School promotes understanding and diversity in a community that is energized by a variety of faith, traditions, and cultures.

Learn More

Limited Spaces Available for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Please contact us if you are interested to set up a tour

Cornerstone school interior

Our Programs

Foundations - 2 1/2 years old

Children must be two and a half years old by September 1st. The Foundations class is perfect for children just starting school. A play-based curriculum lets children explore various interest areas including art, literature, blocks, sand and water play music and dramatic play.

Learn More

Preschool - 3 years old

Children must be 3 years old by September 30th. The Preschool class focuses on increasing language development and social skills. Open-ended materials, walking field trips, and an interactive curriculum bring learning to life for inquisitive minds.

Learn More

Pre-K - 4 years old

Children must be four years old by September 30th. Our Pre-K class fosters student creativity, independence and social development. This is accomplished through age-appropriate opportunities to practice self-reliance and self-regulation skills.

Learn More

Summer Camp

A Summer Day Camp for ages 2 ½ to 6 years old held at Cornerstone School. Summertime is a special time of discovery and adventure for children. Our STEAM-based summer experience with Creative Curriculum® is the perfect way to spend a summer day.

Learn More

Happy Parents

"She’s happy to go to school every day, she’s learning..."

I’d take my child to Cornerstone School because it’s a warm and safe environment for her to learn and to grow as a child. We’re very happy there.

I used to be a preschool teacher in the city, so I had some expectations. My experience as a teacher, this age the most important way for them to learn is through play, dramatic play and any other type of play that shows what they’re interested in, and then they feed off of that. They’re not sitting them down at desks and drilling facts into them. Everything that they learn is through fun, through craft, through stories and through acting things out.

"Michele stands there every day at pick up and drop off, and says, “Hello,” and opens the door..."

When I chose Cornerstone School, I must have looked at every school in New Jersey and we chose to live in the Summit because of my meeting with Michele and because of my belief in the values that Cornerstone School have. I take my kids to Cornerstone School because it’s a safe and happy environment for them to go to.

They are really into learning through play and educating through hands-on activities. I was a teacher in England and those are the things that I think are really, really important for young children.

"What you have there at Cornerstone are people who really have a teacher mentality..."

We’ve always enjoyed the programs that they have there in terms of their educational focus and I like the play-based approach. There’s another program that we’ve been part of that’s just a little bit too strict. My older son was actually a November birthday, so that meant that he was always on the older cycle. I always appreciated the way they still managed to keep his interest as we got through the year. He had been in another program and there was not enough educational focus in terms of learning your letters and really trying to get to your next level of learning. But, this has a more regimented curriculum for especially the older classes. So, we definitely have enjoyed that.

"Thank goodness we sent our kids to Cornerstone this year..."

We are floored by how seamless the year was with Covid-19. Our family does not think there is ANYTHING that could have been done better! We went into the school year not knowing how it would go, saddened that we wouldn't be able to go into the children’s classrooms. We thought they would be missing out on a lot that they had experienced in previous years. This was not the case at all. Our family had as wonderful an experience as previous years and we were truly able to see our children grow and flourish due to the nurturing environment at Cornerstone. We say to ourselves every day, Thank goodness we sent our kids to Cornerstone this year

"I feel that we are all a part of the Cornerstone family..."

I have never stepped foot in the school due to the pandemic but I am thrilled with the social-emotional and well rounded education my child is receiving. I feel that we are all a part of the Cornerstone family because of the supportive and dedicated staff. I am excited for my younger child to be joining next year.

"Our daughter's experience at Cornerstone really accelerated her growth..."

Our daughter's experience at Cornerstone really accelerated her growth academically and socially. This resulted in her becoming confident and self-assured when she started first grade. It was important to us to give her another year in an early learning, play-based environment.

Read More

Why Cornerstone?

Why Cornerstone?

Young teacher smiling Young teacher smiling

Certified Teachers in Early Childhood

All Lead Teachers hold a standard teaching certificate. Many of our staff hold Master's degrees in their field.

Kindergarten teacher with student Kindergarten teacher with student

Small Class Sizes

Every class operates below State Ratio requirements in every class. Our average Class Size 7 to 1.

Young girl in kindergarten smiling at camera Young girl in kindergarten smiling at camera

Whole Child Education

We promote the development of the whole child through the implementation of the Curative Curriculum (R) which allows children to flourish in all learning domains.

Happy mother and young daughter hugging Happy mother and young daughter hugging

Parent Involvement Welcome

Cornerstone's Parent Organization encourages parent involvement and help throughout the year. There are many ways to donate time, talent and financial assistance to enrich the lives of our students.

Woman teacher smiling at camera Woman teacher smiling at camera

State Approved Creative Curriculum

Cornerstone school uses the Creative Curriculum (R) which is one of only 3 approved early childhood curriculums approved by the NJ office of licensing.

Woman kindergarten teaching with student Woman kindergarten teaching with student

Non-Profit Private Education

Cornerstone School was founded as a non-profit with a commitment to Inclusiveness, Diversity and service to families in our wider community.

"Building a Foundation for Life"

The cornerstone of a building

The cornerstone of a building is the piece against which all the other stones are set. It is the reference point for the whole building. The cornerstone sets the alignment and direction of each aspect of the structure. It is the foundation of a strong and balanced building.We believe that early childhood experiences set the course for a child’s life in the same way that the cornerstone sets the alignment of a building. When children have the opportunity to explore ideas and materials in a safe environment, they become confident about their place in the world. A curriculum that supports children where they are and challenges them to grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively provides a strong foundation for life.

Child building with blocks Child building with blocks
Children with watercolors Children with watercolors

Early childhood education

Early childhood education is so much more than learning letters and numbers. It is children learning about themselves and about others in the community. It is expanding empathy and learning how to care for the needs of others. It is learning to wait your turn and to choose a second choice while you’re waiting.

It is solving problems creatively and resolving conflicts peacefully.
It is developing healthy self-esteem based on real accomplishments, not artificial praise. It is celebrating our strength and learning how to recover from defeat. Early childhood is a time to experience the fullness and wonder of life.