Getting Ready
Profile of the Cornerstone Academy Student

  • Is ready to work at school
  • Is ready to come every day promptly
  • Is ready to do homework
  • Is employable
  • Is living at a low to moderate income level
  • Is ready to abide by a business casual dress code

Getting In: Admissions
The school is open to students 15 years of age and older. We strongly recommend visiting the school to decide if it might be a fit for a student. The small, personal atmosphere is exactly right for many. It is those students that Cornerstone Academy typically attracts. Students usually have attended a high school prior to applying to the Academy.

Next, a student needs to fill out an application for admission. Applications are available here, at the main office, or by request via phone (312-573-8854) or mail:

1111 N. Wells St.
Suite 403
Chicago, IL 60610

The next step is for a student to go through the interview process with a parent and someone at the school. Students should bring with them the following:

  • Transcript(s)
  • Health examination and immunization form
  • Birth certificate
  • Social security card
  • Documents of household income to help establish a financial package

The Academy strives for a diverse student body. Cornerstone Academy does not discriminate in its admissions and school policies on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender or religious background.

Paying for It: Tuition & Financial Aid
An important part of Cornerstone Academy's mission is to offer a quality private education to students who would not otherwise be able to afford the tuition.

The annual cost of educating each student is around $11,000. Students, however, help reduce the overall cost of their education by participation in the school’s Work-Study Program. This helps keep tuition to the families at a reasonable sliding scale cost of between $1,430 and $5,300, finally determined by household income.











  

Students

Being a Student
Being a student at Cornerstone Academy involves...

  • Attending Class
    Attendance is vital to our students' success. Students who miss more than eight days in a quarter may have to make up the credits.

  • Studying
    Students must be ready to do homework. They are daily given reasonable amounts of homework in math, English or writing.

  • Reading
    Students are encouraged to become lifelong readers. During the course of the year students will read several novels. This helps to show students how accomplished writers write, give insight into their own lives and the lives of others, and encourage the lifelong habit of reading.

  • Taking Responsibility
    Each student is expected to demonstrate the following code of conduct:

    • Follow the business casual dress code
    • Use respectful language
    • Avoid physical contact with other students
    • Refrain from participating in organizations
      that are disruptive to education, especially gangs
    • Do not interfere with another student's education

  • Showing Respect
    Each Cornerstone Academy student is expected to demonstrate an attitude of respect to:

    • Other students, by encouraging their achievement regardless of ability
    • Teachers, by addressing them properly
      and responding to their requests
    • The school, by keeping it clean and orderly
    • The neighborhood, by volunteering in community service projects

Graduation Requirements

  • 20 academic credits
  • 3 consecutive months of part-time employment
  • Chicago geography and transportation exam
  • Constitution exams
  • 50 hours of community service