Dear Friends and Families of the Cornerstone Community,

It is our pleasure to enthusiastically announce Mrs. Richell Manigault as Cornerstone Christian Academy’s new Principal, effective August 1, 2021.

First joining Cornerstone in 2012 as the 5th grade teacher, Richell has been focused on the school’s academic and social-emotional components. An important part of our initial ACSI Accreditation, as well as our Responsive Classroom implementation. Since then she has served Cornerstone in the roles of Site Director in the summer of 2017, and most recently as Assistant Principal from 2019 – 2021.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Richell graduated from the High School for Creative and Performing Arts as a Vocal Major, then earned her Bachelors Degree from Eastern University. From there she began her in-classroom career at Greater Hope Christian Academy. “I believe in educating the whole child,” Mrs. Manigault says about her educational philosophy. “I believe that our children are not too young to begin their work for who God has created them to be. It is important to teach them life skills: financial literacy and acumen, communication, writing and reading comprehension.”

In preparation for this new role, Richell participated in Philly PLUS: Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools and Leadership Development & Principal Preparation and spent the 2018-19 school year as a Principal Fellow at Juniata Park Academy, serving under Marisol Rivera Rodriguez, a Neubauer Fellow.

While her focus is on leading students and teachers as an administrator, her performing arts background amounts to more than just her incredible vocal performances at weekly Chapel. For Richell, there’s a deeper educational drive. “I believe in children using the arts to improve in their education. Some of my students who struggled with learning were able to use the arts and performance to figure out their own learning style. This all helps to inform who they are as individuals in Christ, and sets the stage for them to begin advocating for themselves.”

Looking ahead at the 2021-22 school year and beyond, Cornerstone is at an important point of growth. “We are expanding on who we are: increasing our academic experience and providing more opportunities for our parents and family members to be involved in their children’s learning. We want to build our community by helping our community.”

Please join the entire Cornerstone community in welcoming Mrs. Richell Manigault as the Principal of Cornerstone Christian Academy.