Cornerstone Education Program

Closing the income achievement gap through high-quality, personalized education for children from lower-income homes.

Home: Welcome

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone."

-Ephesians 2:20

Home: About Us

Who We Are

Cornerstone Education Program operates under Fusion Community Inc, a nonprofit organization.

Our vision is to improve the community by closing the income achievement gap.

Our mission is to provide a high-quality, personalized education to children from lower-income homes.

Fusion Community, Inc

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Home: About Us

Did You Know?

In Richmond, VA the poverty rate is 22.3% (2017) and the high school graduation rate is 70.6% (2019).

Students who are reading proficiently by 3rd grade are 4x more likely to graduate high school on time.

But..

In Richmond, only slightly over half of third-grade students passed the state reading test (2018). This is a far lower pass rate than in the areas surrounding Richmond.

And..

Only 85% of kindergartners in Virginia met the PALS-K benchmark in the fall (2016).

Students with strong number sense by 1st grade progress more quickly in math than their peers.

But..

Many low-income children enter kindergarten with fewer number (math) experiences than their middle-income peers.

Students below grade level in math in 4th grade had just a 46% chance of reaching grade-level expectations in 8th grade (in a 2012 study).

Home: About

Program Founder and Head Teacher

Connect with Jessica

Home: Our Team

Jessica Ludwig

Jessica grew up wanting to be an elementary school teacher. She achieved her dream after graduating from JMU with her Master's in Elementary Education. She taught first, second, fourth, and fifth grades in Goochland County, VA. She then transitioned to the position of Center Director at Mathnasium, where she still currently works.

Jessica is also now a respite care provider for children and is working towards a certificate in "Children's Mental Health Fundamentals" through the Institute of Child Psychology.

Jessica sees first-hand how schools are failing their students by teaching concepts based on a student's age rather than their abilities/pre-requisite knowledge. Cornerstone's individualized approach to education gives students the chance at success that they deserve.