About

Western Civilization has turned education into a human right. While this can be a good thing, there is a tendency in human nature to take things that are given to us for granted. Many throughout the history of the United States did not have the resources to afford an education, so they had to teach themselves how to read, write, and do arithmetic, all while performing physically taxing jobs. Abraham Lincoln, one of the United States’ greatest presidents, was a self-educated man.

This is the legacy we would like to pass on to present and future generations:
a desire to learn, work hard, develop discipline, grow, and spend the short time we have on this earth in worthwhile endeavors. Put God first, then family; if you are patient, persistent, disciplined, and faithful, doors will open for you that you never dreamed of.

I have my degree in Civil Engineering and have been in the construction industry (both residential and commercial) since I left the Army in 1995. My wife has her master’s degree in elementary education and has been an educator since the late 90s. We chose the name Cornerstone because of its historical significance. The cornerstone was the first stone set on the foundation during the building process. Careful measurements were taken to ensure the cornerstone was square, to ensure the proper alignment of the remainder of the building. The rest of the building’s dimensions were obtained from this standard using string lines, plumb bobs, levels, etc.

In each of our fields, we have both seen where cutting corners on foundation building has led to disappointment and/or disaster. That’s why Cornerstone Academics exists: to offer solid, well-rounded, affordable resources that help families lay a strong academic and moral foundation.

Serena's Story

I came to curriculum development the long way around — and I would not change a single step of it.

For 25 years I taught in private schools, homeschool co-ops, and my own classroom. I tutored children one at a time and taught groups of students in buildings, living rooms, and anywhere families needed someone to show up. All the while I was homeschooling my own five children. Those years in the trenches — figuring out how to reach a struggling reader, how to make literature come alive at the kitchen table, how to keep going on the hard days — built something in me that no classroom degree ever could have.

I eventually earned my master's degree in elementary education from the University of Alaska Southeast and completed my teaching credential. I want to be honest about why: I went back for the piece of paper, not because I had more to learn. What college gave me was confirmation. What the ground gave me was wisdom.

In 2021 I founded TruLearn, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Delta Junction, Alaska, which at its peak served 135 students. Every class, every resource, every hour I give through TruLearn is donated freely. It is a labor of love. It has always been a labor of love.

And then I built Cornerstone Academics — because after 25 years of working with homeschool families, the curriculum I needed still did not exist. So I built it.

Read Serena's full story on the blog → My Journey: Why I Built What I Wished Had Existed

Our Promise to You

Every child has been given talents from God — those gifts just need to be exercised and trained. Work hard, stay disciplined, tune out the distractions, and keep God and family in first place.

We are honored to come alongside you in this work.

With gratitude,

Michael & Serena Augustin
Cornerstone Academics
Building Foundations. Inspiring Minds.