Individual excellence, learning and responsibility for life...
Founded in 1990, Cornerstone College is a leading independent, co-educational, Christian school overlooking the town of Mount Barker in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
Welcoming middle and senior school students in Years 7 to 12, our world-class approach to learning and wellbeing provides the greatest possible opportunities for your child to flourish.
The College’s modern facilities and picturesque setting provide a stunning and inspiring learning environment.
From the purpose-built Middle School, our commercial-quality kitchens, a sprung-floor gymnasium, and drama theatre with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, to the wetlands and environmental centre, artificial turf tennis courts and the magnificent full-size oval, Cornerstone College provides the highest quality of learning, activity and discovery.
Of course, exceptional facilities mean little without the care, nurturing and expertise of the staff. That's why regular professional development and training is both a high priority and an expectation for all our staff – ensuring that we provide best-practice teaching and an outstanding environment for learning.
This is all underpinned by a supportive, respectful and welcoming College community and culture, guided by the values of the Lutheran Church upon which our mission and strategic plan are founded.
We warmly invite you to visit us, and see first-hand how we guide today’s students, and tomorrow’s citizens, to find their place in a world of opportunities.
'Cornerstone College is very inclusive. Our children are very happy & supported.'
Parent/caregiver comment, 2021 Satisfaction Survey
Our Mission
We are a caring Christian community nurturing within students a growing relationship with Christ which promotes individual excellence, learning and responsibility for life.
Our Values
At Cornerstone, we seek to nurture individuals, who are aware of their humanity, are open to the influence of Christian teachings, and growing in and living according to a cohesive worldview. We strive to guide our students to live by the core Lutheran values of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, service, humility, courage, hope, quality and appreciation.
History
In 1984, a group of dedicated community members representing various Christian denominations came together to share their vision for a Christian secondary school in the Adelaide Hills. This vision culminated in the original group joining with the Lutheran Church to establish Cornerstone College.
Six years later, in 1990, the College commenced operations with 49 students, six staff and a collection of temporary buildings.
The 16 hectares of magnificent land at Mount Barker now accommodates a student body of over 900 students from Years 7 to 12, as well as an array of specialist built, state-of-the-art facilities.
The original governance of the College included members from Lutheran congregations and other Christian denominations in the Adelaide Hills – and that representation remains today, reflecting the ongoing outworking of the motto “Christ our firm foundation”.
The theological basis of the school is that of the Lutheran Church of Australia and the College operates as part of Lutheran Education Australia.
Staff members, students, families and supporters are encouraged to be vital parts of the Cornerstone community where the gift of love – reflecting our faith – can be shown through the care that we show to each other.
The College is a systemic Lutheran school and is closely associated with the three Lutheran Primary Schools in the Adelaide Hills:
St Mark’s, Mount Barker
St Michael’s, Hahndorf
Lobethal Lutheran, Lobethal
Academic Achievements
At Cornerstone College, we recognise the measure of academic success is as much about continual improvement and achieving personal goals, as the grade received. Our Academic Achievement brochure celebrates and acknowledges those students who have received outstanding academic results, which reflect their hard work and discipline. Our hope is that all our students will be learners for life.