Our Mission Statement
CCA exists to share the love of Jesus Christ by offering homeschool families
unique opportunities,
including spiritual discipleship,
strong academic development,
and social activities.
“For a number of years, my husband and I wished we had something different for our homeschooled children. I often found myself saying things like “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a program in Lebanon where elementary kids could just take elective classes, but not do a co-op class?”, and “Co-op sometimes feels so busy, we don’t do as many field trips as we’d like to do. I wish we could do more field trips on co-op days so we wouldn’t feel guilty giving up another day of school work at home for the week.” We enjoyed the co-ops we were doing, but it just wasn’t what we were looking for anymore.
I also very much enjoyed having my older students in a tutorial where they have had quality academic classes, and a wonderful peer group for group classes, trips, and activities. But there was nothing available in Lebanon. I began thinking of a program that offered something different for all my kids – a tutorial for elementary through high school grades. Eventually, I began to consider beginning such a program myself! But I needed a location. I’ve taught Super Science classes for several years out of my home, but since I don’t have multiple classrooms in my house, I didn’t feel I could accommodate one more class here. I reached out to some locals and found a church with many classrooms who opened their doors to us. After several moves over the years, we are now at The Journey Church in Lebanon. It is a wonderful and supportive home for our group.
My fellow teachers and I actually created these classes with the intention of our own children taking them. When we initially started making these plans, we did not even envision a tutorial being born. But once we made a class list for each age group and mentioned the idea to a few families of friends, we got a much more supportive response than we had anticipated! Without even realizing quite when it began, we were creating and planning Cornerstone Christian Academy. And since we began our first year in August of 2014, we have grown steadily every year.” – Mary Besse, Founder of CCA, 2014.
What is CCA?
First, let me tell you what it is not. CCA is not a co-op. At a co-op, parents work cooperatively to teach each other’s children a variety of subjects. Parents take turns participating in and coordinating co-op events, and all work together to make the school year happen. Co-ops can be a wonderful experience for a homeschool family. But we were looking to create something unique to fill a different niche in the homeschool community.
Cornerstone Christian Academy is a homeschool tutorial for kindergarten through high school. Kindergarten and elementary grades 1st through 4th, will meet a total of 24 times per year for classes, as well as additional days for field trips, school parties, and activities. Their classes consist of enrichment opportunities, with no homework required. Grades 5 and up meet for 30 class days, as well as additional days for field trips and parties. 5th-12th graders are given the opportunity for core classes, as well as enrichment and elective classes. Core classes are graded courses that require homework to be completed during the week and count as a full-course load (Nothing needs to be added by the parents. However, parents are responsible to ensure students complete their assignments.)
The elementary classes we offer at CCA are aimed at being both scholastic and fun. We want our kids to learn in their CCA classes about academic subjects such as literature, science, history, art, the Bible, and financial intelligence. We want their learning day ‘out of the house’ to be highly educational, but still full of interesting and engaging activities, such as games, arts and crafts, and various hands-on materials. And we want to take lots of educational and memorable field trips with our homeschool group! CCA is exactly what we’ve been looking for, for our kids. We hope that you can come and join us in enjoying such a unique and enriching learning experience!
Parents of CCA students sign their kids up for exactly what classes they want their kids to take. We offer approximately 145 different classes during the day on Friday! There are at least 4 classes offered for each of the 6 class periods for each age group (1st – 12th grades). Starting in the fall of 2025, classes will meet on Fridays from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (only until 2:30 p.m. for 1st – 4th grades) at The Journey Church in Lebanon. The kindergarten class meets for 3 hours either in the morning or the afternoon. Classes for 5th-12th begin usually the second Friday in August. Classes for kindergarten – 4th begin usually the first Friday in September (3 weeks after 5th-12th starts). We have a 1 1/2 hour lunch break, which is a great time for the kids to socialize and visit with their friends. It includes 30 min. for lunch, 30 min. for recess, and 30 min. for Ignite, our chapel service led by TJC student ministers. During recess they can talk, play games, and more often than not, play outside weather-permitting. The students love to play tag, throw a football or frisbee, or just hang out and enjoy the weather. They remain in the room (or outdoors) under our supervision at all times, and will not be allowed to roam in or outside the building.
Depending on the demand each year, we also offer a program on Thursdays specifically for our 4th-6th graders called Upper Elementary Core (UEC). Core classes for language arts, math, and history are offered for these students from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in a small group setting.
We enjoy many field trips each year! Field trips are planned by field trip coordinators throughout the year on days other than Fridays. Details will be communicated through email and Facebook. Field trips are optional, and students need to sign up in advance. Parents are responsible for the transportation of their own children, although we are sure other moms will welcome carpooling to save gas and to gain good company. Parents will not be required to attend every field trip as long as the parent makes arrangements for an adult in attendance to be responsible for their child(ren).
New family applications for enrollment will be available on the website to complete in December & January. New family interviews will be scheduled in the order applications are received and conducted in February. Registration for classes is completed in March.
If you have questions, please email us at ccalebanon@gmail.com
We look forward to another outstanding year of homeschooling our children together!
Cornerstone Christian Academy 