Decades of dedication echo within these walls. Welcome to Cornerstone Academy. This San Francisco institution has been serving families for over forty years. Cornerstone Academy is located in the Portola District. It is known for its strong academic foundation and traditional family values.
Cornerstone Academy started as a preschool in 1975. It was an outreach of the Cornerstone Evangelical Baptist Church. Rev. Chanson Lau and his wife Dr. Genevieve Lau founded the church. They noticed a need for childcare for young families. They started “Little Lights School”. The preschool grew because of its caring teachers. Parents urged them to start a kindergarten.
In 1981, the preschool expanded to a corner lot. More preschool classes opened. The church officially became Cornerstone Evangelical Baptist Church in 1982. By 1985, the growing grade school needed more space. Cornerstone Academy bought the Surf Theater. Mr. Donald Langendorf became the first principal. He gave the school its new name Cornerstone Academy.
The school grew quickly. In 1986, another location was found for kindergarteners. This was known as the Judah site. A miracle happened in 1989. Cornerstone Academy purchased the Simpson Bible College building. This became the Silver campus. The school flourished and expanded to middle school. Earthquake laws required the building to be retrofitted. An architect helped redesign the building. For two years, the school used temporary classrooms.
A new school building opened in 1999. It featured a large cafetorium. Before moving in, Cornerstone Academy bought another school three blocks away. This was the Cambridge campus. This purchase allowed the start of a high school. In 2017, the Upper School became Cambridge International Preparatory School. This reflected the school’s international diversity. However in 2019, after 20 years, Cornerstone Academy closed its high school division.
Since 2001, Cornerstone Academy has been accredited. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges ensures quality. Today, Cornerstone Academy operates on three campus sites. One of these sites is the old Simpson Bible College building. You can still see part of the Salvation Army’s training facility. Cornerstone Academy continues its mission. It provides education rooted in strong values. From preschool to eighth grade, students thrive here. Cornerstone Academy shapes future generations. Its history reflects faith, growth, and community.