At Cornerstone Christian Academy, a sense of belonging begins the moment students arrive. Greeted by name each morning, children enter an environment where they are encouraged to grow, discover their strengths and feel valued.
Guided by its mission of “Skills for Life, Faith for Eternity,” the academy combines Christ-centered education, hands-on learning and individualized instruction to nurture students academically, spiritually and personally.
From daily chapel services to engaging classroom experiences, Cornerstone strives to ensure every child is known, challenged and grounded in faith.
How does Cornerstone Christian Academy integrate Christianity into its academics?
Founded around 2003 as a preschool ministry of First Colony Church of Christ, Cornerstone began with a mission to provide more than traditional education. Over the years, the academy has expanded to serve students from preschool through 10th grade while remaining rooted in its Christian values.
Each school day begins with Daily Chapel, where students receive messages of faith, encouragement and perseverance that carry into their classrooms and everyday interactions.
"Students come together to sing praise and worship daily which fills all our hearts and sets us up for the day. We leave feeling so loved and ready to share love to others," Gracie Stelly, the Head of Lower School, said
With Christ at the center of its teaching philosophy, Cornerstone focuses on nurturing the whole child academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
"If we raise kids that are just academically strong and spiritually weak, I think we fail. If we raise kids that are spiritual giants and academically weak, we fail," Corey Waters, Head of Campus Ministry and Student Life, said.
By combining academic excellence with spiritual growth, Cornerstone strives to equip students with the knowledge, character and confidence to make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
How does Cornerstone Christian Academy’s individualized learning help students?
At Cornerstone, small class sizes promote individualized instruction, which allows teachers to recognize each student's unique strengths, challenges and learning needs.
Rather than relying on traditional lectures, the academy emphasizes interactive lessons, classroom collaboration and active learning to help students build confidence and reach their full potential.
“The traditional sit-and-listen type of instruction is gone,” Stelly said. “We recognize the importance of interaction and by allowing students to feel like they are a part of something, they find community.”
With opportunities for meaningful participation and personalized attention, Cornerstone strives to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas and overcoming academic challenges.
By meeting students where they are and encouraging them to grow, the academy aims to help every child develop the confidence, independence and skills needed for lifelong success.
How does Cornerstone Christian Academy’s hands-on STEM education prepare students for the future?
At Cornerstone, learning goes beyond textbooks as students are encouraged to explore new ideas, tackle challenges and discover solutions through hands-on experiences.
Through its Project Lead The Way curriculum, the academy integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into lessons designed to strengthen critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills.
The program is tailored to each grade level:
Preschool: Age-appropriate STEM activities in a dedicated classroom encourage exploration and discovery.
Lower school: STEM concepts are incorporated across subjects to strengthen problem-solving skills.
Middle and Upper school: Dedicated STEM classes complement math and science instruction, with concepts also integrated into English language arts and history.
Since introducing the program approximately five years ago, educators have witnessed a meaningful shift in how students approach challenges. Children who hesitated to answer questions are now more willing to participate, experiment and learn from their mistakes.
Rather than seeing setbacks as failures, students learn to adjust their approach and try again, building confidence and resilience that carry into other subjects and everyday life.
How does Cornerstone Christian Academy create a sense of community with its extracurriculars and school environment?
While academics and faith provide the foundation of Cornerstone's educational experience, the academy recognizes the importance of allowing students to explore their individual interests. Cornerstone ensures that students are participating in enrichment opportunities designed to support creativity, physical development and personal growth throughout their school day.
“Not all kids are book smart—some students have a strong interest in music, art, Spanish or American Sign Language,” Stelly said. “[The academy] has something for everyone, and we make sure to nurture our students’ interests because we want them to be well-rounded in their academics as well as their faith.”
Depending on grade level, these opportunities include:
Spanish and American Sign Language
Library activities
STEM-related enrichment
Electives and other specialized classes
The academy strongly believes that encouraging students to explore other interests allows them to find their communities, and community is the glue that holds the academy together.
The family-oriented atmosphere extends beyond teachers and administrators to include cafeteria employees, maintenance staff and other members of the school.
For Cornerstone, each interaction provides an opportunity to reinforce its values of kindness, encouragement and belonging.
What are the growing opportunities Cornerstone Christian Academy has planned for upper-division students?
Currently serving students through 10th grade, the academy plans to add 11th and 12th grades over the next two school years, introducing additional electives, athletics and college-preparatory experiences along the way.
To support this growth, Cornerstone has purchased a nearby building to house its middle and upper school programs, with plans to open the facility by Aug. 1, 2027. As the academy continues to grow, school leaders are expanding academic, extracurricular and leadership opportunities to prepare students for life beyond graduation.
While the expansion marks an exciting new chapter, school leaders emphasize that Cornerstone's mission remains unchanged.
“Having a big, new building is nice, but it doesn’t really matter because, at the end of the day, what really matters to us is what we stand for; Jesus Christ is first and so is our biblical worldview education,” Head Administrator Tony Slate said.
As the academy looks toward the future, its focus remains on nurturing students' academic, personal and spiritual growth while preparing them to become confident, compassionate leaders.
What are the steps families can take to become a part of the Cornerstone Christian Academy community?
At Cornerstone, education is about more than preparing students for their next grade level. It is about helping children discover their strengths, develop meaningful relationships and build a foundation of faith that will guide them throughout their lives.
For families searching for more than a traditional classroom experience, Cornerstone invites parents to discover a school community where children are known by name, encouraged to explore their potential and supported through every stage of their education.
Cornerstone also offers an all-inclusive tuition structure designed to simplify educational expenses. Depending on grade level, tuition covers daily lunches, classroom supplies, STEM materials, enrichment activities, field trips and other learning experiences. Families can explore grade-specific tuition rates, payment options and financial assistance information through the academy's website.
Families interested in enrolling their children can schedule a campus tour so they can experience the warmth and closeness of the academy’s staff and students, see the teachers in action in their classrooms and possibly catch one of the special daily chapels. You’ll see students learning, growing and thriving at every stage, from preschool through high school right before your eyes.
Families can use the following information to learn more about the Cornerstone Christian Academy:
Website: https://www.cornerstonecca.org/
Location: 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land
Phone Number: 281-980-0842
Frequently asked questions
What grade levels does Cornerstone Christian Academy currently serve, and what are its plans for expansion?
Cornerstone Christian Academy currently serves students from preschool through 10th grade. The academy plans to add 11th and 12th grades over the next two school years, which will introduce additional electives, athletics, and college-preparatory experiences.
What curriculum does the academy use for its STEM education, and how is it structured for different age groups?
Cornerstone Christian Academy uses the Project Lead The Way curriculum to integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics into its lessons. The program is tailored by grade level, starting with age-appropriate STEM activities in a dedicated classroom for preschool students. In the lower school, STEM concepts are incorporated across various subjects. For middle and upper school students, dedicated STEM classes complement math and science instruction, and the concepts are also integrated into English language arts and history.
What enrichment opportunities and electives are available to students to support their personal growth and interests?
To help students explore their individual interests and support their creativity, physical development, and personal growth, the academy offers various enrichment opportunities throughout the school day. Depending on the student's grade level, these opportunities include art and music, Spanish and American Sign Language, physical education, library activities, STEM-related enrichment, and other specialized classes and electives.
What is included in Cornerstone Christian Academy's tuition?
Cornerstone Christian Academy's tuition includes daily lunches, classroom supplies and grade-specific educational experiences. Depending on the student's grade level, tuition may also cover technology, STEM lab materials, enrichment activities, field trips, camps and service-learning opportunities.