Engage. Empower. Equip.
Those three words have become the mantra for Moose Jaw's Cornerstone Christian School where applications for the 2022-2023 school year are now being accepted.
If you go to the website, www.ccsmj.ca, you'll find just about anything and everything you need to know about Moose Jaw's only K-12 school, including this:
"Cornerstone Christian School is an associate school with Prairie South School Division enrolling students in grades Kindergarten through 12. Associate schools in the province of Saskatchewan...As an associate school, Cornerstone Christian School follows provincial curriculum policy, provides approved curricular programs and employs only professional "A" teachers who are full members of the province teachers' organization (Saskatchewan Teachers Federation) and receive the same benefits and rights as all other school division teachers.
Associate schools are recognized and receive partial funding from the Government of Saskatchewan through their respective school divisions. Cornerstone Christian School can also be described as an independent school that was established for faith-based reasons and entered into a contractual agreement with a board of education (Prairie South School Division) to operate in association with that board. Cornerstone Christian School was founded in 1993 and became an associate school in 1997."
We're featuring Cornerstone Christian School on the DiscoverMooseJaw.com "Partner Profile" today.
Benallick recommends you start with a look at the always up-to-date website.
"We actually brought it in about three years ago and it's been a huge asset to our inquiries, people looking into our school. But not only those people, but people that are involved in our school. We do everything from daily announcements on there to schedules for sporting events or musical tryouts or anything like that. We also offer the application process for any new students and lots of different information that we like to make available to the general public as well as our student body," Benallick said.
There are also a number of sections on the website that will answer questions about academics, student life, admissions and the fact they are accepting applications for next school year right now.
We asked Principal Robertson what it is that sets Cornerstone Christian School apart from the others.
"We have academics available that will get students into university in any faculty they want. We offer all of the math, all of the sciences and if there are other things that students would like that are not available because we are a smaller school, we have online options available for them as well."
Essentially, the management and staff strive to tailor education for every student.
"Yes,", Robertson said, "They can follow any path they want. We have students who have gone on to be doctors, engineers, teachers, pharmacists - my own son ended up in advertising," Robertson said with a smile.
Mr. Driscoll says one of the things that makes Cornerstone Christian unique is the K to 12 experience.
"We have great athletics programs and great theatre programs for students to get involved. We also have an elementary SRC and a high school SLC where students are getting involved and creating opportunities to grow in their leadership and to serve in their community and to influence the kind of culture they have in their school. I always say to the students, 'You get to choose what kind of school you get to come to' and so that's kind of the student leadership experience."
The staff and students at Cornerstone Christian want local and local-area families to know they have room to add students next fall.
"As of March 1st, we're open for general admissions. I would love to chat with anyone who might have any questions," Benallick said.
"There's lots (of information) on the website but there's lots of stuff that you might just want to actually talk to a person about and I would absolutely love to do that. The application forms are available on the website and what you need to do is fill out the general application form. There is a pastoral reference required as well as any report cards and educational forms that you'll need to submit as well." 
"We also offer school tours," Benallick added. "So, if you've taken the virtual tour (on the website) but you'd actually like to come and meet us, we'd love to do that as well."
The theatre program at Cornerstone Christian has been a big draw for a number of talented children over the years and Mr. Robertson is proud of that.
"Every year we do a musical - a Broadway-style musical...we have had some shows where we have up to 100 students involved...from grade 3 and up, they're in it and a part of the choirs and choruses that get involved in the musicals and that's one of the advantages here, I think. Because we have a K to 12 school, we have kids that get involved at the age of 8 and remain involved right through grade 12. We have a lot of boys in our musical program and that's a struggle for some schools. You know, when you think about it, you go into grade 9, you want to try out for the musical or be on the football team. The insecurities are there. But, if you've been involved from the time you're 8 years old, it's just sort of a natural thing, you know? It's okay to be in theatre. We have some great kids who have experience and they can put on a really great show."
While the theatre and music programs always work hand-in-hand for each production, Robertson says they are actually separate programs.
"We have a choir and we have a vocal jazz group as well...they've performed at festivals and we always get rave reviews. Some of our teachers are putting in 300 hours-plus of extra-curricular a year just to make sure that these programs happen."
Another key to the programming offered at Cornerstone Christian School is the promise of a faith-based education.
"One of the things that is really important to us is integrating our faith, our Christian faith, into everything that we do from Kindergarten all the way through grade 12," Mr. Driscoll explained. "Helping our students understand who God is, how he is involved in our lives and how that integrates into our education is really important. We strive to live out our Biblical values and connect students to churches and to come along side of family. We recognize that, really, education and spiritual formation is the work of the family so we see our work as partnering alongside moms and dads to see what their vision is for their kids and what's the kind of person, the character and competencies that they want to have in them. And then, how do we come along with those parents to partner with those values and to grow their child up in the way they should be."
"Education can sometimes be very transactional - it's about what do I know and the competencies they develop but we realize that things like character and life in the community are actually really important as well. So, this isn't about how good your marks are, in lots of ways, but really focusing in on those personal values and really helping our students to become great, model citizens in our community," Driscoll added.
And while Cornerstone Christian School is actively inviting new students to join them, they do want to make it clear there are some tuition fees involved.
"As an associate school (of the Prairie South School Division) we actually only receive 80% of the government grant. A fully funded school will get about $10.000 per student (each year) and we only get 80% of that so the tuition helps cover some of the extra costs," Driscoll explained.
Mr. Robinson expanded on that. "The tuition goes to religious education. We're paying for the religious distinctives...and also, we have to pay for the building plus any renovations, we have to pay for that. Also, we pay for our EAs (educational assistants) and our office staff and administration within those tuition fees."
And, while education and the arts take centre stage most days at Cornerstone Christian School, they also offer athletics programming to the students.
"Just like students being involved in theatre from grade 3 all the way up, this year I have the joy of coaching our grade 6 boys and I'm excited to be able to journey with them and have that team camaraderie over the next six years as we journey together. So, all of our athletics, we're able to compete at a high level both here in our city and around the province - certainly, our volleyball teams have performed well over the past few years. And, one of the things that always gives us a great sense of pride is not just the calibre at which we can play but our sportsmanship. If you come into our gym, you'll see a number of banners for sportsmanship...again it just speaks to that character and the values our athletes show. Whether it's basketball, volleyball, curling or badminton...we're just really excited about the opportunities our students have to play athletics at Cornerstone," Driscoll said with a smile.
Whether your children are just about to start school or you're thinking about making the move to Cornerstone Christian School, Benallick says there's something "pretty cool" you should consider.
"I see a lot of parents moving into Moose Jaw from small towns and those parents grew up in a K to 12 school. In the city, you don't find that as much. In fact, we are the only ones in the city that are a K-12 and we have a pre-school as well. It's pretty special for some of these families to be able to have a similar experience, growing up, for their children, that they had, back in the day. So, it's kind of like we have a small-town school in the big city...It's a great experience for some of those families. It's a great experience for families from Moose Jaw as well but, it's a little different and it's something that's pretty special to us."
If you would like more information about Cornerstone Christian School in Moose Jaw, check out the website first; or free feel to call them to get your questions answered or to book a tour. They'd be happy to hear from you. 306-693-2937
Sat, Apr 20, 9:00 AM
Hourly, Part-time, Permanent, Education
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