We welcome fresh starts…

…and cheer you on to a strong finish.

Cornerstone Academy is a small, private Christian high school in Oak Park. We serve Chicagoland area students whose needs have not been met by other high schools and whose dreams and talents are in danger of being wasted. Our primary aim is to work with students who need a fresh start and a strong finish.

Cornerstone Academy is a State Recognized School by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Accredited by Cognia Advanced Ed. We are a private high school serving the Chicagoland area.

  • While the typical public high school English class might have 24 students in a classroom, a student at Cornerstone Academy is one of just 24 classmates in the entire school. We are intentionally small. And if you ask any of our students what they like most about our school, it’s the close-knit, family-style nature of each graduating class. The level of personal attention that is possible in this type of environment is not only unique, but a big part of what helps our students succeed.

  • Since 1994, we have maintained a reputation of being a small, safe private high school. The private nature of our school provides a different environment than students will find at Chicago public schools. An education at Cornerstone isn’t free because it isn’t funded by the same tax dollars that public schools receive, but we do charge tuition based on a sliding scale in the hopes that every parent can find a place for their child here.

  • The education received at Cornerstone Academy is built on a faith-based foundation. The school hires instructors who teach from a Christian perspective. Bible studies are integrated into the curriculum and there are also opportunities for students and teachers to discuss the Christian gospel on a casual weekly basis. Students and families do not need to profess the Christian faith to attend Cornerstone Academy, but we believe that the values of the school create a flourishing environment for our students to grow.

  • Cornerstone Academy is a State of Illinois Recognized School accredited by CogniaEd. Cornerstone’s staff are highly trained and certified in their content areas. Students at Cornerstone enjoy a traditional high school experience with project-based activities and trips. You won’t find chaos in our building. We created an atmosphere where students can learn and go on to attend colleges or universities in Chicagoland and beyond!

Solid post-graduation plans.

Cornerstone Academy students have been accepted into a wide variety of colleges and universities in Chicago and beyond. Institutions that have recently accepted our students include:

Arrupe College * Columbia College * Concordia University * Governors State University

Grambling University College * Harold Washington * Howard University * Illinois Central College

Joliet Junior College * Loyola University * Millikin University * North Park University

Northeastern University * Robert Morris University * Southern Illinois University

The Chicago City Colleges * University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign * University of Illinois at Chicago

“Since coming to Cornerstone, I’ve improved a lot. I have changed my ways of doing my homework, of doing my classwork, turning things in. I've not been slacking, I've been on it and getting everything done so I can graduate. I think a highlight has to be the teachers being really involved with you and making sure you're okay and being very understanding about your work. And if you're turning something in late, they're fine with it, you just let them know if you need help. They're always there to help - e-mail them anytime and - awesome staff, awesome teachers.”

— Brianna, Student

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Tomorrow is the big day! The annual Medieval Banquet has been a Cornerstone Academy tradition for 30 years! Get a sneak peek of what to expect. Students have been working very hard on their personal crests, classroom displays, and a short performance. We will have some very special guest appearances as well. #alternativehighschool #privatehighschool #oakparkil
Cornerstone Academy I’m looking forward to reading King Wotan’s poetry at your Medieval Banquet.
Cornerstone Academy I’m looking forward to reading King Wotan’s poetry at your Medieval Banquet.
Learning our lines and working together... We're working hard to get ready for our upcoming Medieval Banquet! The students will present a short performance for all to enjoy. #alternativehighschool #privatehighschool #oakparkil #christianschool
Some of our students do work study with Habilitative Systems, an organization whose vision is "building healthy communities for underserved populations with disabilities and people living with an array of human services needs." Our students
Some of our students do work study with Habilitative Systems, an organization whose vision is "building healthy communities for underserved populations with disabilities and people living with an array of human services needs." Our students learn valuable skills and personal development while helping Habilitative Systems carry out its vision. It's a win-win! #cornerstoneacademychicago #alternativehighschool #privatehighschool #oakparkil
Work study is an integral part of what we do at Cornerstone Academy. We partner with local businesses and non-profits to help our students learn valuable skills and challenge them to grow. Our partners benefit from training the next generation of lea
Work study is an integral part of what we do at Cornerstone Academy. We partner with local businesses and non-profits to help our students learn valuable skills and challenge them to grow. Our partners benefit from training the next generation of leaders. Thank you! #oakparkillinois #alternativehighschool #privatehighschool