Admissions

The first step towards a productive, fulfilling and satisfying future

Cornerstone accepts students with significant psychiatric and emotional challenges. Students with a primary diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder, an active alcohol/drug abuse diagnosis or who are dangerous to others in any way are not appropriate. 

Cornerstone Day School does not discriminate based on race, creed, gender, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

If you feel Cornerstone might be an appropriate placement for a child, please call Cornerstone at 908-543-0220 to learn more about our school and schedule an initial visit.

Initial Visit

The Cornerstone Experience begins with the initial visit to the school. Upon arrival, the prospective student, their parents/guardian, and district representative meet with the Director of Enrollment and the top administrators in the school: Executive Director, Director of Clinical Services, and School Principal. The purpose of the intake process is for all parties involved to get acquainted and determine if Cornerstone is an appropriate placement for the student. The process includes a clinical assessment, an interview of the family and student, an orientation of the clinical and academic services provided by CDS, and a tour of the school. Once this process is complete, a decision is made to determine the student’s acceptance. If so desired, a prospective student is welcome to visit for a day prior to accepting the school’s offer.

Tuition and Naples Funding

Tuition is funded by the student’s home district, which draws upon a provision in the 1989 NJ education law called the Naples Act (NJ18A:46-14) and covers all Cornerstone services. This act broadened the range of private schools where special needs students could be placed, creating a better fit between the child and the school, maximizing the likelihood of a successful outcome. Placements under the Naples Act have been routinely authorized since 1989. Over 125 school districts in New Jersey have placed students at Cornerstone through the use of the Naples Act since our opening in 2006. 

Cornerstone meets all of the requirements of a Naples Act placement: 

1. The school is accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
2. The school most appropriately meets the student’s individual needs.
3. School staff is licensed or certified appropriately.
4. Services provided are non-discriminatory and non-sectarian.
5. The school program meets all requirements under the law. 

Cornerstone is a non-sectarian school and is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA) and COGNIA. Cornerstone Day School does not discriminate based on race, creed, gender, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. For more information on admissions, contact our Director of Enrollment, at 908-543-0220. 

Note for School Districts: Applying for a Naples approval is a simple process. For school districts, students attending Cornerstone typically meet the criteria for Extraordinary Aid reimbursement. Please contact our Director of District Outreach for additional information and or guidance on completing a Naples application or how to apply for Extraordinary Aide.

FAQs about Naples Funding

Q: What exactly is the Naples Amendment and when should it be used?

A: The Naples Act, N.J.S.A. 18A:46-14, allows special education students to be placed in an accredited private school and requires that it not be specifically approved for the education of people with disabilities. The term “Naples Act” is derived from the name of the legislator who was instrumental in the passage of this amendment to N.J.S.A..6A:14-6.5 on August 9, 1989. A Naples placement may be utilized whenever the CST determines that the private accredited school is the most appropriate placement for the student. NJ.A.C. 6A:14- 6.5 (b) (3).

Q: What makes a private school eligible to accept Naples placement?

A: As long as the school is accredited (e.g., Middle States) but not approved, it is eligible to be a Naples placement for disabled students (N.J.S.A. 18A:46-14).

Q: Do the districts need to spend more time completing the paperwork to send a student to Cornerstone than to an approved school?

A: Not at all. The paperwork is straightforward and Cornerstone prepares a complete package for each placement, making the work of the school professional even easier. Like all out of district placements, the paperwork needs approval from the District’s Board of Education as part of the routine placement process and non-discriminatory NJ.A.C.6A:14-6.5 (a) (7).

Q: Districts get reimbursement for special education placement by the state. Is the reimbursement different for approved schools vs. Naples placements?

No, reimbursement to a school district by the State is the same. The approval status of a private school has no bearing on the reimbursement received by the school district. State aid for placement is based on formulas established in the School Funding Reform Act, N.J.S.A. 18A:7F et seq., and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., which do not consider the approval status of the private school placement.

Q: Is there any reason why a school district should be reluctant to use a Naples placement for a disabled student?

A: No! In fact, the opposite is true; districts should use Naples because it was specifically designed to help CSTs have better choices for placing students with disabilities. A reluctance to make such a placement limits the options for the CST and actually can make the district more vulnerable to legal action by disgruntled parents. Cornerstone Day School, with its Cornerstone Experience providing a complete education, treatment, and school experience is a unique alternative for a difficult-to-place child.

Q: Are the education curriculum or the teaching staff credentials different in a Naples placement school such as Cornerstone from those in an approved school?

A: Not at Cornerstone. All academic programs meet and follow the New Jersey Learning Standards and the teaching staff are certified in the area that they teach. 

Cornerstone School Districts

Over 125 school districts have enrolled students at Cornerstone since we began. Below is a partial listing of these school districts.