Cornerstone Christian Academy
Encyclopedia
Cornerstone Christian Academy of McLean County
is an independent, non-denominational Christian
college-preparatory private school
located in Bloomington, Illinois
. CCA enrolls preschool through 12th grade. It has a total enrollment of approximately 425 students.
Originally, the school accepted students preschool through 4th grade. Later, Cornerstone opened two new campuses, dividing the preschool from the K-4 students, and accepting older students. The locations throughout Bloomington-Normal now include Faith United Methodist (Preschool), Grace United Methodist (Elementary K-4th), and 2nd Presbyterian Church(5th grade and up).
In 2001, plans were made to construct a new building on approximately 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) of donated land, east of Bloomington. Groundbreaking occurred in 2002, and students moved in one year later.
Preschool is 3–5 years old, Lower School is K-5th grade, and Upper School is 6th-12th grade.
When the school first opened in the fall of 1997, it operated a preschool for one year before opening grades K-4. Grades were added each year, culminating in first graduating class in 2007.
.
Cornerstone participates in the East Central Illinois Athletic Conference for High school sports and the Little East Central Illinois Athletic Conference for middle school.
Middle School Sports
High School Sports
Only one of which has advanced passed the Regional qualifier. In 2011 the Cornerstone Cyclones golf team advanced out of regionals by placing third. Then getting second in the sectional to advance to the state tournament held at Prarie Vista Golf Couse in Bloomington IL. They finished 9th out of 12 teams.
Cornerstone has a large Student Assistance program which allows those who would otherwise not be able to afford tuition
to apply for assistance. Over 25% of CCA students currently receive Student Assistance. This is funded through voluntary gift donations. Cornerstone has a strict non-fundraising policy.
Cornerstone opened its City Campus in the fall of 2008. This campus is located at 806 E. Bell Street, Bloomington, and serves children in preschool through the 2nd grade. These students receive sponsorships and financial assistance.
McLean County, Illinois
McLean County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. McLean County is included in the Bloomington–Normal, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 169,572, which is an increase of 12.7% from 150,433 in 2000. Its county seat is...
is an independent, non-denominational Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
college-preparatory private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
located in Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States and the county seat. It is adjacent to Normal, Illinois, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
. CCA enrolls preschool through 12th grade. It has a total enrollment of approximately 425 students.
| Established: | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Independent, Private, Fully Accredited |
| Administrator: | Becky Shamess |
| School Board: | Self-Perpetuating |
| Faculty & Staff: | 57 |
| Students: | 425 |
| Grades: | Preschool-12th |
| Location: | Bloomington, Illinois |
| Mascot: | Cyclones |
| Colors: | Forest Green and White |
| Newspaper: | The Cyclone |
History
In 1997, the Eastview Christian Church preschool was taken over by a private group, and renamed "Cornerstone Christian Academy of McLean County, Inc." In 1998, Cornerstone moved to Grace United Methodist Church on the corner of Bell and Clinton in Bloomington.Originally, the school accepted students preschool through 4th grade. Later, Cornerstone opened two new campuses, dividing the preschool from the K-4 students, and accepting older students. The locations throughout Bloomington-Normal now include Faith United Methodist (Preschool), Grace United Methodist (Elementary K-4th), and 2nd Presbyterian Church(5th grade and up).
In 2001, plans were made to construct a new building on approximately 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) of donated land, east of Bloomington. Groundbreaking occurred in 2002, and students moved in one year later.
School Format
There are three divisions of the school: Preschool, Lower School and Upper School.Preschool is 3–5 years old, Lower School is K-5th grade, and Upper School is 6th-12th grade.
When the school first opened in the fall of 1997, it operated a preschool for one year before opening grades K-4. Grades were added each year, culminating in first graduating class in 2007.
Athletics
Cornerstone's interscholastic extra-curricular teams are stylized as the "Cyclones" and their school colors are forest Green and whiteWhite
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
.
Cornerstone participates in the East Central Illinois Athletic Conference for High school sports and the Little East Central Illinois Athletic Conference for middle school.
Middle School Sports
- Boys/Girls Basketball
- Boys Baseball (Co-op)
- Girls Volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Boys/Girls Cross Country
- Boys/Girls Track
- Wrestling
High School Sports
- Girls Volleyball
- Boys Basketball
- Boys/Girls Cross Country
- Track
- Golf
- Tennis
- Girls Basketball
- Cheerleading
Only one of which has advanced passed the Regional qualifier. In 2011 the Cornerstone Cyclones golf team advanced out of regionals by placing third. Then getting second in the sectional to advance to the state tournament held at Prarie Vista Golf Couse in Bloomington IL. They finished 9th out of 12 teams.
School Activities
- Student Council
- School Paper: "The Cyclone"
- School Yearbook: "Milestones"
- Art Club
- Drama Club
- Worship Band
- Strings
- Madrigals
- Scholastic Bowl
- Cheerleading
- Speech/Debate
- Pep Band
- Chess Club
Cornerstone has a large Student Assistance program which allows those who would otherwise not be able to afford tuition
Tuition
Tuition payments, known primarily as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English and Indian English, refers to a fee charged for educational instruction during higher education.Tuition payments are charged by...
to apply for assistance. Over 25% of CCA students currently receive Student Assistance. This is funded through voluntary gift donations. Cornerstone has a strict non-fundraising policy.
Winterim
Cornerstone offers a program held during the first two weeks of January called Winterim. During this time high school students are allowed to choose from various credit-earning classes not normally taught during the school year, especially in the arts and industrial technology. 11th-12th grade students are allowed to select an internship. Students also have the opportunity to travel abroad for study trips during Winterim.School Membership Associations
- Association of Christian Schools InternationalAssociation of Christian Schools InternationalThe Association of Christian Schools International is an association of evangelical Protestant Christian schools.-Purposes:ACSI, a protestant association for Christian schools, impacts nearly 23,000 schools and transforms the lives of more than 3.9 million students worldwide...
(ACSI) - Illinois High School AssociationIllinois High School AssociationThe Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
(IHSA) - Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA)
Future
In summer 2007 Cornerstone broke ground on their new high school wing. This 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²) addition will add 15 classrooms, 2 science labs, a large band/music room, additional administrative offices and a large forum room.Cornerstone opened its City Campus in the fall of 2008. This campus is located at 806 E. Bell Street, Bloomington, and serves children in preschool through the 2nd grade. These students receive sponsorships and financial assistance.