![blue-waves blue waves decorative element](https://accesspointri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/blue-waves.png)
Cornerstone Special Education Grade School
An outstanding educational experience for every student
Cornerstone has a long history of providing peace of mind for families and a welcoming, safe learning environment for students with diverse needs. At Cornerstone, you’ll find a joy-filled atmosphere in which students thrive. At the heart of everything we do, our emphasis is on ability and not disability.
Our dedicated staff surrounds students with the support and inspiration that promote curiosity and the desire to learn. Cornerstone’s standards-based curriculum, The Unique Learning System, creates a rich, multi-sensory learning environment that fully accommodates the needs of students with significant and complex disabilities.
As a small, year-round, nonpublic special education school, Cornerstone serves students with complex cognitive, physical social, emotional and medical needs. The school is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and draws students throughout Rhode Island, nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Cornerstone’s standards-based curriculum, The Unique Learning System, creates a rich, multi-sensory learning environment. Our students have adaptive access to the same curriculum topics taught throughout Rhode Island schools. Cornerstone’s curriculum fully accommodates the diverse needs of students with significant disabilities.
This award-winning curriculum was selected as the basis for Cornerstone’s academic framework because of its outstanding emphasis on providing multiple approaches to learning. We offer students many different ways to engage with each topic. Students grow as they explore diverse interactive learning units and many options for self-expression.
Learn more about our expert team supporting students' success.
Cornerstone students also benefit from:
- Small classrooms with high staff-to-student ratios
- Individualized educational approach
- Specialized nursing staff accommodating an extensive range of medical needs
- In-school occupational, physical and speech therapies
- Social work services
- Multisensory approach to learning which includes a Snoezelen room
- Daily communication with families
- Collaboration with referring school departments
- Extended school year to help students maintain progress throughout the summer months
- Accessible playground and extracurricular activities such as swimming, rock climbing, sailing and pet therapy
- Transition Services to prepare students for life beyond school