Cornerstone Learning Foundation

Cornerstone Learning Foundation offers Chinese listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills development through formal Chinese language arts classes in a Chinese immersion environment. The program includes a Chinese Language and Culture (CLC) class, test preparation courses for the SAT II Chinese subject test and the AP Chinese test, and Summer Mandarin Chinese Youth Theater Camps for upcoming Kindergarten to 5th grade. For most programs, Mandarin Chinese is the only instructional language, and the full-day K-5 program follows a dual immersion school model with command of Mandarin Chinese and English as an explicit goal.

• Ages: 4–17 years old
• Schedule: After School 100% Chinese Immersion Program with two-day (Tuesday/Thursday), three-day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday), or five-day (Monday through Friday) options; Thursday night class from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM; 2026 Summer Mandarin Chinese Youth Theater Camp sessions from June 15–19 and June 22–26

The After School 100% Chinese Immersion Program has four stages of development, starting with Stage 1 for kindergarten and beginners, Stage 2 foundation level divided into Foundation 1 and Foundation 2, Stage 3 pre-advanced level divided into a three-year program, and Stage 4 advanced level offered as a Thursday night class. The Thursday night class is designed for middle school and high school age students with intermediate, middle, and upper Chinese language proficiency, requires an entrance exam, and includes self-study projects. The Chinese Language and Culture (CLC) class covers Chinese language structures and characters, customs, proverbs, holidays, social phenomena, religion, poetry, geography, and folklore. Cornerstone offers two weekly Summer Mandarin Chinese Youth Theater Camps for upcoming Kindergarten to 5th grade.

Cornerstone’s curriculum is described as research-based and dynamic, is regularly evaluated by a professional teaching team, and follows clear grade-level learning standards with systemic and continuous assessments over time. Stated core values include Bilingualism and a Multicultural Perspective, Critical Thinking Skills, Self-Discipline, and Kindness and Empathy. Cornerstone leverages the power of immersion to help students achieve a natural fluency in Mandarin Chinese.

Cornerstone was founded in August 2010 at a family home in Los Altos with three families and two teachers, and the programs expanded and moved to Palo Alto in October 2010. The leadership team includes Helen Wong, Ed. D., as Principal and Mr. Chen as a teacher. Mr. Chen graduated from San Francisco State University with a master’s degree in Education concentrating in teaching Chinese as a second language, was a certified Chinese teacher in China, and has over 18 years of experience teaching students individually and in group classes. Cornerstone is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The stated mission is to cultivate a learning environment where students are motivated to discover themselves and then expand to understand their fellow students and the world around them, and through bilingual education to help students grow into self-disciplined critical thinkers.

Last updated June 17, 2026.