Friday, May 1st, our 1st graders enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. During the visit, students participated in a specialized lesson using live carnivorous plants as a model for study. After observing how these plants capture their prey, the children worked in teams to design their own Hexbug traps in an engaging engineering challenge. It was a joy to see the plant and animal concepts we’ve studied over the last two months come to life. Beyond

At Cornerstone, we firmly believe that physical fitness and good sportsmanship are the cornerstones of a well-rounded education. On April 24, our community demonstrated these values in action during Sports Day! The excitement started weeks ago as students were divided into eight spirited teams. In a display of mentorship and school pride, each team was headed by a fifth-grade leader. When the big day arrived, the energy was electric as each group performed their cheers to kic

Our 4th graders had a truly enriching experience at the Sierra Outdoor School! By "traveling back" to the 1850s, the students gained hands-on insight into the Gold Rush era. They mastered three different gold-panning techniques and learned the traditional Me-Wuk method of grinding acorns into flour. Beyond the history lessons, this trip was a milestone for personal growth. The students adapted beautifully to new living conditions, practiced independence, and relied on teamwor

For the fourth consecutive year, our 5th-grade students embarked on a life-changing journey to Taiwan. This isn't just a trip; it is a hallmark of our sister-school exchange program—a two-week immersion designed to turn students into global citizens. By stepping out of the classroom and into the vibrant culture of Taiwan, our students experienced a transformation that only firsthand discovery can provide. Lessons That Live Beyond the Classroom Our students returned with a gen

At Cornerstone, this week was filled with meaningful class performances and diverse learning experiences. Our Pre-3 and Pre-K students shared their curiosity about spring and the world of bugs, while our Kindergartners and 1st graders expressed their stewardship for the Earth and their deep understanding of plant biology. Meanwhile, our 2nd graders explored the life cycle of seeds on a local field trip, and our 3rd graders demonstrated impressive bilingual math proficiency. F

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the third issue of The Student Chronicle, created by our talented Grade 2–5 students! This special edition is brimming with creativity and showcases the incredible hard work of our young writers and artists. Please find the file to enjoy their latest work and celebrate their achievements. Happy reading!

In preparation for an upcoming cultural exchange in Taiwan, local students visited the Tzu Chi Northwestern Campus this past Friday, trading their traditional desks for a deep dive into global humanitarianism. The immersive visit was designed to introduce the class to the "Four Missions" of the Tzu Chi Foundation: charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture. Through a guided tour and historical presentations, students explored how the organization provides disaster r

On February 25, the third-grade class set-off a landmark three-day overnight field trip, a journey educators describe as a pivotal milestone in the elementary experience. For many students, the excursion represented their first extended time away from home, trading suburban comforts for the spray of the Pacific. The trip functioned as an immersive science intensive. Students moved beyond classroom theory, wading into tidepools to observe marine ecosystems firsthand and trekki

Last Saturday, February 21st, the Cornerstone campus was transformed into a sea of red and gold for our annual Chinese New Year celebration. This cherished tradition was a beautiful showcase of student leadership and cultural immersion, with every classroom and corner of the school adorned with art projects and student work that reflected the creativity and hard work of our children. The heart of the event was driven by our students, who led vibrant performances and hosted va

This Friday, our 1st grade class students enjoyed a fantastic learning adventure at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, where they participated in a wonderful class called Phase Changes. The lesson tied in beautifully with our current exploration of the three states of matter—solids, liquids, and gases. Through hands-on, engaging experiments, the children discovered how water can change between all three states under certain conditions, especially when temperature changes. The

On January 19, 2026, Cornerstone School warmly welcomed 13 students from our sister school in Taiwan, Tzu Chi, as part of their biennial visit. Hosted here at Cornerstone, this marked our second time welcoming students from Taiwan for this special cultural exchange. The program has proven to be a deeply meaningful opportunity for both schools; students gained firsthand insight into each other’s cultures, while teachers exchanged rich and valuable pedagogical experiences. Duri

This past Sunday, January 25, the Palo Alto Community Center was filled with festive energy as our 2nd through 5th-grade full-day students returned to the stage for the community’s Chinese New Year celebration. It was a proud moment for our school as our young performers shared their talents and cultural heritage with the local Palo Alto community. Starting at 3 p.m., our students took the stage to dazzle the audience with energetic dance performances and clever magic shows.

On January 23rd, the 4th Grade Koi Class visited Angel Island as part of an educational field trip focused on California history. During the visit, students examined the island’s role as a former immigration station and its significance during key periods in the state’s development. The experience provided students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real historical site, offering firsthand insight into the people and events that shaped California’s cultural

On January 23rd, 2026, the Kindergarten Hippo Class had an incredible opportunity to visit the Palo Alto Police Station, Fire Department, and City Hall—all in one day! This special outing was carefully planned as part of their social science theme on community and good citizenship, giving students a chance to see firsthand what it takes to be real-life community leaders. It was a wonderful experience for the students to learn about the importance of collaboration and open com

We are thrilled to announce that our talented Grade 2-5 students have launched the second issue of The Student Chronicle ! This special edition is packed with creativity to lift your holiday spirits and showcase the incredible hard work of our young writers and artists. Please click the link to enjoy.

On December 19, the magic of learning came to life at our Louis Campus as students from Grades 2 to 5 hosted an unforgettable Winter Production. The event began with an open classroom session, where students invited their parents to review their academic progress and share the milestones of their learning journey. Our second graders turned scientific concepts into an interactive experience. Through creative skits and engaging games, they demonstrated the principles of sound a

On December 18, our Manuela Campus was transformed into a space filled with laughter, pride, and the unmistakable joy of learning. We concluded the first semester with a heartwarming Winter Fair hosted by our Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, followed by a series of delightful Winter Performances featuring our Pre-3, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st-grade classes. The fair was a brilliant showcase of our students’ academic growth and hands-on discovery: Kindergarten "Seed" Speci

Our recent Open Houses on November 8 and December 6 were about more than just showcasing our Preschool–G5 bilingual immersion program—they were a vibrant celebration of our community in action. We took immense pride in watching our students put their leadership, communication, and public speaking skills into practice. Whether they were managing the Book Fair, mentoring younger peers through arts and crafts, or confidently presenting our curriculum to guests, our students prov

Cornerstone students were back at it again! We were honored to be invited by the Palo Alto Children's Library to help transform their space into a winter wonderland. ❄️ Our students took the lead on designing and setting up winter-themed photo booths. From brainstorming placements to the final touches, they worked independently and collaboratively to bring the holiday spirit to life. The library staff were blown away by their creativity, initiative, and teamwork! To wrap up

On November 17 and December 8, our young artists participated in a special pottery art event that sparked excitement throughout the school. Throughout the sessions, the children eagerly explored a variety of colors, experimenting with bright, vibrant hues as they painted their pottery pieces. Their creativity flowed freely as they designed unique patterns, characters, and shapes, each piece reflecting their individual imagination and artistic style. By the end of the event, e