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News-Sun photo by CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY Jenny Cornell is the inaugural headmaster of Cornerstone Christian Academy. The school, sponsored by the Avon Park Lakes Baptist Church, will open for the 2013-2014 school year and is accepting applications.

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published: Saturday, March 09, 2013

Cornerstone Christian Academy opening this fall

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

AVON PARK-- George Hall, pastor of Avon Park Lakes Baptist Church, told the News-Sun Thursday afternoon his church is sponsoring a new elementary school -- kindergarten through fifth grade -- to open in the fall.

"The church is very supportive of this," Hall said. "It's a part of our mission. The Cornerstone Christian Academy has a Bible-based curriculum."

Jenny Cornell, who was just named the school's principal, said the academy will follow an educational program created by Kingdom Education Ministries.

Kingdom Education integrates Biblical core values into its curriculum, including: God's infallible word; the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, the son of God; and the Christian family as the foundation of society -- one man, one woman and their children.

According to Kingdom Education Ministries, the goal of its educational program is the "Great Commission. God's charge to every Christian to make disciples who will know Him personally and have a renewed mind in order to engage the culture for Christ."

Cornell and Hall emphasized the curriculum would also be rigorous.

"We're shooting for academic excellence," Hall said.

An Avon Park native, Cornell has an extensive educational background, having worked with The School Board of Highlands County for 14 years -- 10 years as an elementary school teacher. She has a master of arts in educational leadership and has been assistant principal at Avon Park Middle School.

"Enrollment is the first piece," Cornell said. "Our goal is one class at each grade level. We haven't started hiring, but will very soon."

Cornell said one of the things that excites her the most is a week long conference in Texas that all the academy's teachers will attend during the summer. Held by Kingdom Education Ministries, Cornell said it opens your heart and your mind. "You come away as high as a kite," she said.

The school will be accredited through the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools.

Applications can be found at the church, 2600 N. Highlands Ave., or call Cornell at 453-0894.