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Cornerstone School

United States, Palo Alto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Mandarin, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 250
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, English
Strengths Languages, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Primary School
Introduction

Cornerstone School operates across two Palo Alto campuses: Manuela Campus at 4243 Manuela Ave and Louis Campus at 1985 Louis Rd. It follows an American curriculum for ages 2–11. The K–5 program uses a Mandarin-English dual-immersion model, with four core subjects: Chinese Language Arts, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies/Science. Chinese Language Arts are taught in Chinese; English Language Arts in English; math begins in Chinese with English word problems from 3rd grade; Social Studies/Science are explained in English starting in 3rd grade. The school is WASC-accredited. The Manuela Campus houses Full-Day K–1, Preschool, After School, and Summer Camp; Louis Campus hosts Full-Day 2nd–5th Grade, After School, and Summer Camp. School hours are 8:30–2:45 (K–1) and 8:30–2:55 (2–5); drop-off at 8:00 and Extended Care to 5:30. Local field trips, overnight trip for Grades 3–4, and Grade 5 international trips complement enrichment clubs and SEL. The program emphasizes language fluency.

Manuela Campus: 4243 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306; Louis Campus: 1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303

The Essentials

Cornerstone School has 250 pupils, instruction in Mandarin, English.

Location
Palo Alto, California. Cornerstone School operates on two campuses: Manuela Campus, 4243 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, and Louis Campus, 1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303. The mailing address is P.O. Box 838, Los Altos, CA 94023. For prospective families, enroll@cornerstonelearningfoundation.com handles admissions information.

Stages
Preschool; Pre-3; Pre-K; K-5

Country affiliation
United States

School day structure
K–5 hours: K–1 8:30 AM–2:45 PM; 2–5 8:30 AM–2:55 PM; Drop-off starts at 8:00 AM; Extended Care available to 5:30 PM. Preschool schedules: Pre3 AM 9:00 AM–11:30 AM or Full Day 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Pre-K 9:00 AM–2:00 PM or 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Extended Care 8:00 AM–5:30 PM.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Fees
Application fees

- An application fee is required to submit a new-student application. Applicants must complete and submit the New Student Application Form (Google Form) and pay the stated application fee as part of the application process. Admitted families are then given instructions for any required tuition deposit to secure a seat.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- The school does not publish numeric tuition rates by year group or per term in its publicly available admissions materials, program pages, or school calendar for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. No per-term or per-year tuition amounts for preschool, Pre-K, kindergarten, or grades K–5 are available in the school's public admissions documents. Families are required to follow the admissions and deposit instructions after acceptance to complete enrollment.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school uses a dated billing schedule published in the academic calendar. Example payment dates shown in the calendar include: Dec 8, 2025 (listed as a 2025–26 second tuition payment due date) and May 11, 2026 (listed as the 2026–27 school-year first tuition payment due). Admitted families are instructed to follow the tuition-deposit steps provided after admission to secure enrollment. Exact billing frequencies, term division, and whether payments are accepted in installments are communicated to admitted families.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Cornerstone operates as day programs on two Palo Alto campuses (Manuela Campus and Louis Campus) serving preschool through grade 5 and offers optional extended care, after-school activities, and camps. No boarding program or boarding fees are listed.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, materials, after-school, camps, etc.)

- Optional programs and services are offered that commonly carry separate fees (for example: optional early/extended care, after‑school classes, enrichment clubs, and summer camps). The school's program pages and calendar describe these options and schedules, but specific prices for uniforms, materials fees, after‑school classes, or camp fees are not published in the school's public materials. Families should expect that optional activities may incur additional charges billed separately.

Refund information

- No published, itemized refund policy or pro‑rata tuition refund schedule for withdrawal, absence, or early termination was found in the school's publicly available admissions materials and calendar for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. Refund and withdrawal terms are provided to families as part of the enrollment and tuition deposit process.

Fee payment options

- The school provides enrollment contact information for billing and deposit instructions; specific payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, electronic payment platform, or checks) are not listed in the public admissions pages or calendar. Accepted payment methods and instructions are communicated to admitted families during the enrollment/deposit steps. Contact for enrollment and billing: enroll@cornerstonelearningfoundation.com; phone (650) 215‑0208.

Summary statement about available public information

- The school requires an application fee, follows a dated tuition-billing calendar with specific due dates, and offers optional paid services (extended care, after‑school, camps). However, numeric tuition and fee amounts, per-term or per‑year schedules by year group, detailed refund rules, and exact payment methods are not published in the school's publicly available admissions materials and calendar for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. Families are provided fee amounts, deposit requirements, payment schedules, and refund terms as part of the admitted-family enrollment packet and tuition-deposit instructions.
Academics

Cornerstone School teaches American Curriculum for students aged 2 to 11.

Curriculum
Cornerstone's K–5 program uses a Chinese–English dual immersion model. The full-day curriculum centers on four core subjects: Chinese Language Arts, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies/Science. Chinese Language Arts are taught in Chinese, English Language Arts in English, mathematics in Chinese with English word problems beginning in 3rd grade, and Social Studies/Science concepts explained in English starting in 3rd grade. Cornerstone is WASC-accredited. The program operates across two campuses: Manuela Campus at 4243 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA, 94306 (Full-Day K–1, Preschool, After School, Summer Camp) and Louis Campus at 1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA, 94303 (Full-Day 2nd–5th Grade, After School, Summer Camp). School life includes at least three local field trips annually, an overnight trip in 3rd–4th grade, and a 5th-grade international trip, along with enrichment clubs and SEL integration. School hours are 8:30 AM–2:45 PM for K–1 and 8:30 AM–2:55 PM for Grades 2–5, with drop-off at 8:00 AM and Extended Care through 5:30 PM.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a significant emphasis on social and emotional learning (SEL) within its community. Monthly assemblies teach essential values and skills. Students develop self-discipline, critical thinking, responsibility, kindness, and love. The school closely monitors student interactions and responds to behaviors. This may involve meetings with involved parties or turning interactions into learning opportunities for the entire class. Through meaningful conversations, students think critically about different perspectives and practice collaboration.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school uses a Chinese-English dual immersion model with Mandarin Chinese and English as explicit goals. Language is a fundamental part of learning and life. Chinese Language Arts and English Language Arts are core subjects, alongside Mathematics and Social Studies/Science. Mathematics is taught in Chinese, with English word problems starting in 3rd grade. Beginning in 3rd grade, students learn to explain social science concepts in English.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through social-emotional learning integrated into school life. SEL practices foster self-discipline, resilience, and positive relationships. Monthly assemblies promote values and emotional development. Staff monitor student interactions and address behaviors to support a safe learning environment. Conversations about different perspectives help students manage conflicts and build empathy.
Parent Experience

History
Cornerstone was founded in August 2010 by Helen Wong at a family home in Los Altos with three families and two teachers. It moved to Palo Alto in October 2010 and has since grown into a diverse community of over 250 students and 30 staff. The school operates two Palo Alto campuses: Louis Campus at 1985 Louis Rd and Manuela Campus at 4243 Manuela Ave. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and offers Mandarin-Chinese-English dual immersion, with immersion as the primary instructional language in most programs and a dual-immersion model for the K-5 program.

Community
Cornerstone operates two Palo Alto campuses, Louis Campus (1985 Louis Rd) and Manuela Campus (4243 Manuela Ave). Louis Campus hosts Full-Day 2nd–5th Grade and After School Program; Manuela Campus hosts Full-Day K–1st Grade, Preschool, After School Program, and Summer Camp. The Cornerstone community comprises students, families, and teachers who participate in campus events throughout the year and follow the school calendar. Mandarin Chinese-English bilingualism is central to the community and is supported by immersion in most programs.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school operates two campuses in Palo Alto: Louis Campus at 1985 Louis Rd and Manuela Campus at 4243 Manuela Ave. The Louis Campus hosts Full-Day 2nd–5th Grade and After School Program. The Manuela Campus hosts Full-Day K–1st Grade, Preschool, After School Program, and Summer Camp. Cornerstone teaches a Chinese-English dual immersion program with Mandarin Chinese and English as explicit goals. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Enrichment Clubs: a variety of optional after-school clubs such as science, coding, and chess. Field Trips: K-5 classes take at least three local field trips annually; Grades 3 and 4 participate in an overnight trip each year; Grade 5 students take one international trip to Asia. Camps: Optional camps are offered on designated no-school days throughout the year and for two weeks during the summer. Student Council: The Student Council meets weekly to set community rules, plan, and execute activities. School-wide events: Sports Day, Idiom Competition, Halloween Imagination Play build student leadership and peer guidance.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a Chinese-English Dual Immersion K-5 program with four core subjects: Chinese Language Arts, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies/Science. It follows a dual immersion model with Mandarin Chinese and English as explicit goals, integrating language learning as a fundamental part of the learning process. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The program emphasizes Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and includes field trips and leadership opportunities, with local trips for K-5, an overnight trip for Grades 3-4, and an international trip for Grade 5.

Arts & Creative
Physical Education, Music, and Arts are part of the curriculum. The arts are integrated across subjects to support creativity and expression. Enrichment clubs (e.g., science, coding, chess) provide after-school options for student enrichment. Students explore art through activities that connect concepts across subject areas, including singing, dancing, and group art projects.

Cultural & Language
The school delivers Mandarin Chinese immersion throughout the program and uses English as a companion language, with language learning embedded in daily life. Beginning in higher elementary grades, some concepts are taught in English while continuing to develop bilingual proficiency (e.g., mathematics and social studies/science instruction in Chinese, with English support as students advance). The school runs Summer Mandarin Chinese Youth Theater Camps to deepen language and cultural engagement, and there are international field experiences tied to grade levels.

Social & Hobbies
A variety of after-school clubs, including science, coding, and chess, are offered to broaden student interests. K-5 classes take multiple local field trips annually, with additional overnight and international experiences as part of the program. School-wide events and activities like Sports Day, Idiom Competitions, and Halloween Imagination Play foster student engagement and peer leadership. Enrichment opportunities and student life activities support collaborative learning and creativity.

Community & Service
The school fosters community through cross-grade collaboration and regular school-wide events that build leadership and peer mentoring. The Student Council meets weekly to set community rules and plan activities, promoting leadership development. These elements collectively contribute to a strong school community and student ownership of school life.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is an explicit focus, with the Student Council playing an active role in planning and executing activities and guiding campus life. Cross-grade collaboration and regular assemblies provide students with opportunities to develop leadership and collaborative skills. The program emphasizes preparing students for future success through leadership experiences embedded in daily school life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a central part of the program, with monthly assemblies that emphasize values such as self-discipline, responsibility, kindness, and cooperation. The curriculum includes Physical Education, Music, and Arts to support physical and mental well-being, creativity, and expression. Regular field trips and a structured after-school schedule contribute to a balanced and engaging school experience.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught: Mandarin Chinese and English. The curriculum includes Chinese Language Arts and English Language Arts.

Bilingual Teaching
Mandarin Chinese and English are taught in a dual-immersion model with the explicit goal of commanding two languages. Students become bilingual readers, writers, and critical thinkers.

Immersion Programs
Dual immersion is implemented in the K-5 program; mathematics is taught in Chinese, with English word problems introduced in 3rd grade; starting in 3rd grade, students also explain learned social science concepts in English.
Reputation

Accreditations
WASC accreditation (Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Attend admission events. Attendance is highly recommended. Tours include a Louis Campus Grade 2–5 tour on September 24 and a Manuela Campus Preschool–Grade 1 tour on October 8; Open Houses for Preschool–Grade 5 occur on November 7 and December 5. RSVP via the provided link. 2. Submit the application. Complete the form and pay the application fee. The New Student Application Form explains how to submit the fee. Full-Day K–5 applicants must email the latest report card to Enroll@CornerstoneLearningFoundation.com. 3. Meeting with students and families. After the application is received, a classroom visit or an individual meeting is arranged, followed by a family meeting. This helps understand the child's strengths and developmental needs. 4. Deadline and nondiscrimination. The 2027–2028 deadline is January 10, 2027. Spaces are offered on a rolling, space-availability basis. Admitted families follow the tuition deposit steps to secure a spot. The school makes no distinction based on race, color, or national/ethnic origin.
School Events
The school has not added events
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