Summary

Contact Info

Cornerstone Connection
1201 Northwest Drive
Round Rock , TX 78664
Tel: (512) 255-8977
Fax: (512) 246-0768

Director: Velma Gutierrez
mrs.vgutierrez@hotmail.com

Admissions Director:
Velma Gutierrez

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school, parents that have children here at our school will be able to enroll their other children first.

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

82

Student/teacher ratio

15:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

1 years

School year

Year round program

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 3

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

82

Student/teacher ratio

15:1

Established

1985

% of teachers with:

- Teaching credentials

15%

- CPR

15%

- First aid

15%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 7:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: $1.00 a minute after 6:00 p.m.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Teach religious concepts

Yes

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• It just depended on the childs individual need.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Director's Comments

Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
We are not affiliated with any church. We are a Christian based school.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is absolutely a wonderful school. I wish we would have know about this school 2 years ago. It breaks my heart that my daughter will be leaving this school in 2010 when she heads off to kindergarten. Kind, loving, caring women and the school is so clean. I am in awe of how happy my child is when she comes home......we are so blessed

Parent #2
The only thing that was a little difficult at first was having to provide lunch and snacks. But then I felt better about it knowing that my child was not being offered just a biscuit in the mornings. I got into a great routine and my child was eating appropriate meals everyday. When the school does provide an activity that they provide the meal, they go over and beyond and make sure that the children have more than enough to eat.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We are a private Christian pre-school. We have a very structured program and we love teaching and nurturing children. We believe in continuing the firm foundation that parents establish with their children at home.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

7:00 Drop off
7:30 Video
8:00 Roll call, Pledge of Allegiance
8:30 Bible
9:00 Snack
9:30 Phonics
10:00 Outdoor play
10:30 Writing/Readiness Skills
11:00 Numbers/ Poems Poetry
11:30 Centers
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Nap
3:00 Snack, Circle Time
4:00 Outdoor Play
5:00 Centers
5:30 Video Time
6:00 Pick up

Of course this is just an example. Each class has a different Schedule.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

We have play at different times of the day.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-		-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-		-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-		-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-		-	YES
Time & space	-	-		-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-		YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-	-		-	YES
Physical activity	-	-		-	YES

Other subjects taught	Spanish in our younger classrooms.				n/a

Director's Comments

We teach the ABeka Curriculum.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Awesome curriculum, great foundation

Parent #2
Great curriculum, my daughter is reading one vowel sentences

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

One of the great things about each classroom is that they are small and each child can get individual help and attention according to the area that they need most help in. Our advanced students also get quality time.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Great program, they use the Abeka curriculum, schedules are great and structure is beyond awesome. Extra activities are also a plus in this school.

Parent #2
One of the teachers has been at this school for 13 years.....what does that tell you?

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.8)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Director's Comments

Each teacher sends an individual note home each day to let parent's know how their childrens day went at school. Friday's a long note goes home with each child unless there is something specific that the teacher has to let the parents know. We do have parent-teacher conferences. We will help parent's in any are that we can regarding learning goals. We have extra activities that we provide here on school grounds. Tumble Bus, Soccer shots et.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We always have an extra staff member on sight. We ask the parents to give their child a hug and a kiss and then the teachers hold and love on the child until they are ready to join in with the other children.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Great school, its fun environment for them and not much problems with seperation. Chrisian based and great patient teachers.

Parent #2
This school is very commited to the children and parents and are very informative when it comes to our children.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool does not conduct parent education classes

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Get a daily note on our childs day. We are also given a monthly calendar so that we can know what to expect each day.

Parent #2
Some of us talk but there is no real parent community.

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Newsletter every Friday

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We do have a time out chair in every classroom. Children have a time-out if needed according to their appropriate age.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

We always encourage the children to be kind and loving with others. We also have a camera in every classroom so that parents may come and watch to see how everyday issues are handled in case they have any question on how issues are handled.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
On the question about snack. Parents provide lunches and snacks.

Parent #2
This school has been around for over 20 years,I cannot say enough about how well rounded this school is and how behaved the children are. Very happy and content.

Parent #3
I would have to say....really super....believe me or not, go and take a look for yourself.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- We dispense medication when needed and it is kept in a separate room

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

School opens at 7; classes start at 8 AM.

The prices on the top are not correct.
We now have a 12 month old program that is $780 per month full time/part time is $700. Our 2's program is $680 full time and $600 Part time. Our 3's, 4's and 5's program is $630 full time/550 part time. Our classes are 11 infants (12 months is where we start) our 2's class is 12 children. Our 3's are 15 children and our 4's and 5's are 18 children. Each teacher has an assistant.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school, parents that have children here at our school will be able to enroll their other children first.

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: We prefer that the child comes with his or her parents so that they may also visit in the classroom, however it is not required

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $200

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on priority is given to siblings.

Notification occurs: Immediately

Financial aid is not available.

Director's Comments

Comments

All applicants are given a tour and we will answer any questions at the time of this tour. And will also explain extra activities and programs that we offer.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 years to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Agreeing with all of the schools procedures

Parent #2
I am sorry, I came from a so called "super" place that parents love just because of the "newness" of the school. It was not at all what I wanted for my child........