“F” is for Faithfulness: Cornerstone Christian Academy
Photos courtesy of Cornerstone Christian Academy
Cornerstone Christian Academy (CCA) in Middleburg, VA, grew out of Cornerstone Chapel, a Calvary Chapel fellowship in nearby Leesburg as a “refuge mission for parents in the public school system.” Here, 13-year-old student Santiago Espinoza (left) shares his story of persecution and hostility in local public schools with the congregation of Cornerstone Chapel. As he speaks, he is supported by school Headmaster Sam Botta (center) and Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick.
Cornerstone Chapel, a Calvary Chapel fellowship in Leesburg, VA, opened its doors in January of 1991 at a Loudoun County middle school campus. In 2016, when the church moved into its current facility on 32 acres, the churchgoers were amazed when a large rainbow appeared in the sky over their newly built facility. They knew it was a reminder from the Lord that He was with them.
Students enjoy a pep rally at CCA. The school opened its doors in the fall of 2023 as a response to the efforts of the local school system, Loudoun County, VA, to limit individual freedoms and silence religious liberty.
When its new school, Cornerstone Christian Academy (CCA), opened its doors to students on a fall day in 2023, a double rainbow appeared over the school building. During chapel that day, everyone in the school worshiped the Lord with hands raised in praise and thanksgiving. He had provided a place for these children to be raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord without worrying about persecution or hostility.
A chapel service is held in the CCA gym. On its opening day, a double rainbow appeared over the school, causing students and faculty to actively worship the Lord for His provision to them. According to the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), CCA is the largest Christian school start-up in its history.
Freedoms Attacked
Cornerstone Chapel, pastored by Gary Hamrick, sits in a county which just two years ago was thrust into the national spotlight. Several Loudoun County Public School Board meetings made news headlines as parents, as well as public school teachers, voiced their sharp disagreements with school board policies.
Two middle school boys work together in class.
These stories served as indicators to the whole country that public schools were making extremely progressive moves to limit the freedoms of citizens, especially as Christians. Loudoun County became the example of how far public education is willing to go to limit individual freedoms and silence religious liberty. It was this very climate, however, that the Lord used to establish CCA, which, according to the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is the largest Christian school start-up in its history.
Girls’ volleyball is one of several sports offered at CCA.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19
Children and teachers worship at a chapel service. Chapel is held weekly at CCA.
From “Nicety” to Necessity
“The idea of a Christian school went from a nicety to a necessity,” commented Dr. Sam Botta, headmaster of CCA. He went on to explain, “Pastor Gary had mentioned it would be a good idea to start a school, and in 2022 it was clear that it had become necessary and would be a rescue mission for parents in the public school system.”
Three young girls rest at a pep rally inside CCA’s gymnasium.
Sam described the impact this announcement made in the community. After the announcement was made in February of 2022, a survey of interest went out to the church. The collected data indicated that the total number of potential students interested in enrolling in the school was over 2,500. Parents knew this was the blessing they were waiting for as family after family was experiencing some form of persecution or hostility from the public school system in Loudoun County. Students were coming home in tears, explaining to parents how they were humiliated and mistreated, not by other students, but by teachers and educators.
A girls’ basketball game at CCA brings out many supporters.
One of these students was 13-year-old Santiago “Santi” Espinoza.
Santiago’s Testimony
“We knew Santi was a very special boy,” Angie Espinoza warmly commented as she shared how he was born approximately three months’ prematurely, not breathing—and yet survived. “This miracle baby has always been passionate about the Lord and wakes up every morning at 5 a.m. to read his Bible,” she went on. Santi was only a first grader at a Loudoun County elementary school when he encountered his first run-in with an educator who punished him for exercising his faith.
A young man escorts a grandmother at a well-attended Grandparents’ Day event.
“Santi had just finished praying for his lunch, as he always did,” Angie recalled, “and when he was finished, another student asked him what he was doing.” When Santi began explaining to the other student that he believed in Jesus and was praying for his food, a teacher happened to walk by and overheard the conversation. Santi was rebuked for having an evangelical conversation and was told he was going to be in trouble. Angie received a call from the school later that evening and the “problem” was discussed with the teacher.
A blessed CCA family.
“They said he was going to be suspended if he did this again,” she stated. “When Santi heard me telling the school that he would be more careful next time and not do it again, it was Santi who told me to not say that.” Santi told his mom that he was OK with getting suspended for praying over his lunch. His faith truly impacted his mother, and the next day both of her children were unenrolled from that school.
Boys learn valuable skills through CCA’s soccer program.
“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I [Jesus] have overcome the world.” John 16:33b
Santi faced his greatest test while attending another Loudoun County school, a middle school, in 2022. His art teacher had given the class an assignment to design a small badge. On this badge, the students were to write the names of five people, places, or things that had most influenced them, and then circle the one they liked the most. Santi circled Jesus as his Number One influence.
Santiago created this badge while in a public middle school art class in Loudoun County. He was first discouraged from naming Jesus as the person who had most influenced him—and later received an “F” grade for the project and the class. This experience helped propel his family to seek out their children’s attendance at CCA.
When the teacher examined Santi’s work, she asked him to change it to a word like kind. Santi, who is typically more reserved in class, gently pushed back and said he couldn’t do that and asked his teacher why he couldn’t use it. His teacher said that she didn’t want this to be a “religious thing.” But when Santi looked around the room, he noticed that the teacher was OK with another student putting a rainbow with the word pride on her badge. To this, his teacher said he could leave the name there but implied there would be consequences.
A team of musicians lead worship during a chapel at CCA.
Santi was given an “F” for the assignment and an “F” for his overall grade. He was an honor student, and this grade forced him off the honor roll for the school; he had to miss an awards ceremony. This was a hard blow for Santi, who acknowledged, “I knew it wasn’t fair and that it probably wasn’t legal, even though other kids got to share their beliefs.”
A photographer catches three eager boys in CCA’s halls.
The Espinoza family met with the school administration, who eventually changed the grade, admitting that there must have been some mistake—but they never addressed the incident. They refused to share any more details, leaving the family worried about what they were to do next.
Families are encouraged to visit CCA at events and even for lunch with the students.
Moving to CCA
This family was just one example of the hundreds of homes impacted by what was happening in the school system—and exactly why Cornerstone Chapel knew something would need to be done. A member of the Espinoza family had encouraged them to apply for Cornerstone Academy. “We really wanted to,” Angie admitted, “but we had medical bills from a history of cancer in the family and paying tuition was simply not possible.”
CCA mascot, Timothy the Lion, greets students at a pep rally.
During a meeting with Dr. Botta and other administrators from CCA, Angie, Santi, and his younger sister Nately (age 12), were given the opportunity to share their experience with the school leadership. Dr. Botta was so touched that he guaranteed them a place in the school, even if he had to pay their tuition himself.
Three Cornerstone Christian Academy girls mug for the camera.
Santi and Nately both are thriving in the school, along with the other 541 students enrolled. Angie now works at the school as a full-time substitute teacher and is also working towards her degree so she can eventually work as a full-time teacher.
CCA Soccer players wait for a chance to play in a game. Santiago is second from right.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children. Psalm 103:17
“F” Is for “Faithful”
After Gary Hamrick asked Santiago to share his testimony with the church, the pastor shared this encouragement for Santi and the congregation: “OK, new change of mind. The “F” [grade] can be hard, but “F” stands for faithful because [Santi] was faithful to the Lord.”
Santiago shares his faith in Jesus and his experiences with Loudoun County public schools on two different occasions. In the top photo, he speaks to Gary Hamrick (right) and Headmaster Sam Botta (center) before the Cornerstone congregation during a Sunday service. In the lower photo, Santiago testifies at an All Staff Meeting for both the church and school. His sister and fellow CCA student, Nately, and mother, Angie Espinoza, (far left) enjoy watching him, as Pastor Gary (right) encourages Santiago.
Currently, 543 students are enrolled in grades K-8; in the fall of 2024, they will start 9th-grade classes. Pastor Gary joyfully concluded, “I couldn’t be more pleased with our first year at CCA so far. The Lord has been faithful, and we already need more room.”
Many students perform at CCA’s first Christmas program.
Learn more about Cornerstone Christian Academy at ccaguardians.net
