Curriculum & Academics
Rigorous. Faith-Rooted. SC-Compliant.
Cornerstone operates as a South Carolina online school offering both virtual and in-person instruction. Curriculum meets SC Department of Education standards at every grade level, with delivery mode — virtual or in-person — determined by course type, grade level, and administrative discretion to ensure full compliance with SC attendance law.
Our Approach
Education Built on Truth
At Cornerstone, academic excellence and Christian faith are not in tension — they reinforce each other. Every subject is taught with intellectual rigor and grounded in the belief that all truth is God's truth. Students don't just learn facts; they learn to think, reason, and engage the world with wisdom.
SC Standards Aligned
Every course maps directly to South Carolina Department of Education standards, ensuring students meet state benchmarks and are prepared for standardized assessments.
Christian Worldview Integration
Faith is not a separate subject — it's the lens through which every discipline is explored, from the order of creation in science to the providence of God in history.
Certified Educators
All instruction is delivered by SC-certified teachers with real classroom experience — not automated systems or uncredentialed tutors.
Hybrid Delivery Model
Most coursework is delivered virtually. Select courses and grade levels require scheduled in-person sessions. Administrative discretion ensures every student meets SC attendance standards.
Attendance & Delivery Policy
Meeting SC Attendance Standards
As a South Carolina online school, Cornerstone is required to comply with SC Code of Laws §59-65-10 and SCDE virtual school attendance guidelines. Our hybrid model ensures every student meets the minimum instructional hours required by state law — 180 instructional days or the equivalent in documented instructional time.
Virtual Instruction
Live synchronous sessions via video conference, asynchronous recorded lessons, and digital coursework. Attendance is tracked through login activity, assignment completion, and live session participation logs.
Most core and elective courses across all grade levels
In-Person Sessions
Scheduled in-person instruction for lab sciences, fine arts, physical education, and courses where hands-on learning is required. Frequency varies by course and grade level.
Lab sciences (6–12), PE (K–12), Fine Arts, select electives
Administrative Discretion
The Head of School may adjust a student's delivery mode — increasing virtual or in-person requirements — based on academic performance, IEP/504 accommodations, family circumstances, or SC SCDE compliance review.
Applied case-by-case; documented in student enrollment record
All attendance records are maintained in compliance with SCDE requirements. Families receive monthly attendance reports. Students who fall below the minimum attendance threshold will be contacted by the Director of Student Services to develop a remediation plan.
Grade Levels
K–12 Course Offerings
Elementary— Building the Foundation
Elementary education at Cornerstone focuses on foundational literacy, numeracy, and character formation. Most instruction is delivered virtually with live daily check-ins. In-person PE sessions are scheduled monthly. Administrative discretion may require additional in-person support for students needing intervention.
Primary: Virtual daily instruction (live + asynchronous) | In-person: Monthly PE & enrichment sessions
Bible & Character
VirtualScripture memory, Bible stories, and character formation aligned to Christian virtues
Language Arts
VirtualPhonics, reading comprehension, writing, and grammar — SC ELA standards K–5
Mathematics
VirtualNumber sense, operations, geometry, and measurement — SC Math standards K–5
Science
VirtualLife, earth, and physical science with a creation-honoring perspective
Social Studies
VirtualCommunity, state, and national history aligned to SC Social Studies standards
Physical Education
HybridSC PE standards K–5; monthly in-person sessions + at-home activity logs
Middle School— Developing the Mind
Middle school deepens academic rigor while helping students develop their identity in Christ. Core courses are delivered virtually with live class sessions. Lab science and PE require scheduled in-person attendance. Administrative discretion may modify delivery based on student need or SC compliance requirements.
Primary: Virtual live sessions (3–4x/week per course) | In-person: Lab science (bi-weekly) & PE (bi-weekly)
Bible & Theology
VirtualSystematic study of Scripture, church history, and Christian apologetics basics
English Language Arts
VirtualLiterature analysis, essay writing, grammar, and vocabulary — SC ELA standards 6–8
Pre-Algebra & Algebra I
VirtualAlgebraic thinking, equations, and functions — SC Math standards 6–8
Life & Earth Science
HybridBiology, ecology, geology, and astronomy — lab components require bi-weekly in-person sessions
World & American History
VirtualHistorical thinking and providential history — SC Social Studies standards 6–8
Physical Education
In-PersonSC PE standards 6–8; bi-weekly in-person sessions + activity documentation
High School— Preparing for Life
High school at Cornerstone prepares students for college, career, and faithful citizenship. Courses meet SC graduation requirements. Lab sciences require regular in-person sessions. Fine arts and PE require in-person attendance. Administrative discretion governs delivery adjustments for dual enrollment, AP courses, and students with documented accommodations.
Primary: Virtual live sessions (4–5x/week per course) | In-person: Lab sciences (weekly), PE & Fine Arts (weekly)
Christian Worldview & Apologetics
VirtualAdvanced theology, Christian philosophy, and defense of the faith
English I–IV / AP Literature
VirtualComposition, rhetoric, and literature — SC ELA standards 9–12 + AP options
Algebra II, Pre-Calc, Calculus / AP
VirtualFull math sequence through AP Calculus — SC Math standards 9–12
Biology, Chemistry, Physics / AP
HybridLab sciences with college-prep and AP tracks — weekly in-person lab sessions required
US History, Government, Economics
VirtualSC graduation requirements in history and social sciences
Fine Arts & Physical Education
In-PersonSC graduation requirements; weekly in-person sessions for both subjects
SC Standards Alignment
Meeting South Carolina's Academic Benchmarks
Cornerstone's curriculum is built directly on South Carolina Department of Education standards across all four core subject areas. Our students are prepared to meet state assessment benchmarks and transition seamlessly into SC public or private high schools, colleges, and universities.
English Language Arts
SC College- and Career-Ready Standards for ELA
Mathematics
South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards for Mathematics
Science
SC Academic Standards and Performance Indicators for Science
Social Studies
SC Social Studies College- and Career-Ready Standards
Ready to Enroll Your Student?
Explore our enrollment process or contact us to learn more about how Cornerstone's hybrid model can serve your family.