Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools today announced that its Cornerstone For Life Promise, a new pledge to provide career and college support services and tools to all Cornerstone graduates, will begin with the class of 2019.
Cornerstone will provide career counseling, career assessments, job placement, professional skills training, skills assessments, and assistance with alumni connections to graduates.
“While we know that Cornerstone students have a wonderful life ahead of them after graduation, we also know nationally that 45 percent of college freshman do not graduate from college,” says Reid Gough, CEO of the Cornerstone Education Group, the management company for Cornerstone Schools. “For those Cornerstone graduates who decide to pursue a different path or have challenges finding employment, we are now there for them for life and are truly living up to our mission.”
The program is funded by private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. The schools are searching for additional funding to support the program’s growth. Money raised will go to program development, technology, machinery and other equipment, transportation, labs, faculty, staff, and administration.
“We look forward to developing new partnerships with corporations, organizations, and individuals to help us deliver the Cornerstone For Life Promise to our graduates,” says Gough. “This promise is unique to Cornerstone.”
Community members are invited to an open house to learn more about the program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at all Cornerstone Schools.
Cornerstone also launched five career pathway programs this year: manufacturing, health care, technology, business, and skilled trades. Students will have the opportunity to earn career certifications before they graduate. Beaumont Health, Deloitte, Ford Motor Co., Lear Corp., Microsoft, Lawrence Technological University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan, Northwood University, Wayne County Community College, and Wayne State University support the career pathway programs.
Cornerstone has five charter schools: four K-8 schools and one high school. It is expected to serve more than 5,000 students over the next three years.
