Cornerstone Crossroads Academy

High school diploma program - the Academy is an accredited, faith-based private high school for young people who are overcoming major barriers to earn an accredited high school diploma. In addition to high school education services, we offer life skills and leadership training, workforce education and mentoring programs for the Academy's students. For over 17 years, the Academy's goal has been to help students who have given up hope, dropped out of school, and live on the verge of homelessness develop academically, socially, physically, and spiritually so that they are prepared to begin their postsecondary education and/or enter the workforce. Each student who attends the Academy is low-income or extremely low-income, as defined by hud. Therefore, while the Academy is a private school, the Academy does not charge program fees or tuition. Instead, each student must complete community service hours in exchange for tuition. This requirement allows the Academy's students to have ownership in their education, provides services to our community, and gives students opportunities to build job-related skills for their resumes. The educational model is a blended learning approach of one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction, whole group instruction and an individualized online program that allows students to complete the specific courses they need in order to meet the state of Texas requirements for a high school diploma or complete the ged.

Engagement - the Academy provides volunteer screening and support for community members who wish to get involved in the south dallas area in meaningful, relationship-building ways. Each year over 400 volunteers engage in community services including landscaping and neighborhood cleanup, providing meals to students, delivering food to families in need, tutoring, providing transportation to medical appointments and hosting community events to connect with neighbors in the Academy's area.

Mentoring and social services - students' formal and informal mentoring with staff and volunteers plays a key role in helping students achieve success. Each student is assigned an advisor teacher, who meets with the student 1:1 each week. Advisors work with the students to identify and address challenging life issues and habits in their personal lives that present barriers to success. A graduation coach helps students define their strengths and identify opportunities for development both in life skills and workforce readiness. A case manager helps connect each student with needed resources in the community, including clothing, transportation, housing, food programs, obtaining copies of their birth certificates, social security cards, and state identification cards, as well as medical, dental and vision care.

Cca work Academy - the Academy provides key life workforce skills for students so that they may successfully transition from school to work. Targeted classes provide students with opportunities to find their purpose, understand their options for higher education, and prepare for the workforce. Students who wish to participate in the work training program commit to working extra hours before and after classes and on weekends. These students also complete leadership classes focused on learning essential life skills for a successful work place transition. Students are connected with work internship opportunities in the community.