This spring, our MA Fellows in the School Leadership program will share blog posts about their coursework and learning journey. Interested in becoming part of a future cohort? Connect with us here.
By: Sergio Montes De Oca
From Learner to Leader
At Capistrano Valley Christian Schools’ New Student Orientation, every new student and family hears the phrase, ‘This is your school.’
We believe that student ownership is essential to each individual’s educational journey. Here, the path from learner to leader begins early, empowering students to take charge of their growth and impact within our community.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Freshman Cornerstone Project, where students take ownership of creating meaningful initiatives that shape and strengthen our school community. This experience invites our freshman students to develop grit, resilience, and leadership through challenging yet meaningful work.
The Cornerstone Project is an interdisciplinary and cross-curricular experience that integrates English, Bible, and History classes. With guidance from faculty advisors, student groups explore our core cultural values—such as authenticity, risk-taking, and intelligent curiosity—and design projects rooted in research and reflection.
They’re not merely learning about leadership; they’re practicing it in ways that create real change.
Collective Leadership: Sharing Power with Students
Dr. Jon Eckert’s concept of collective leadership emphasizes shared decision-making and collaborative dynamics that harness the strengths of all participants. The Cornerstone Project embodies this by allowing students to take significant ownership of their work while faculty provide a supportive framework.
This balance reflects Eckert’s belief that leadership thrives when responsibilities are distributed among individuals, fostering a sense of shared purpose. By trusting students to design and implement initiatives, we empower them to take risks, navigate challenges, and grow as leaders.
For example, students have organized events like community beach bonfires and mentorship programs, demonstrating how collective leadership can strengthen community ties. Incorporating these principles has transformed the Cornerstone Project into more than an academic exercise—it’s a platform for real-world leadership.
Fostering Grit Through Real Challenges
At its heart, the Cornerstone Project fosters grit by challenging students to take on difficult tasks. Freshmen are asked to go beyond the classroom and undertake projects that require original research, creativity, and problem-solving.
For many, this is the first time they’ve faced such complex challenges, requiring them to refine ideas and adapt to setbacks. These experiences cultivate resilience, preparing students to persevere through future obstacles.
Each project culminates in a formal presentation to faculty and administration, reinforcing accountability, professionalism, and public speaking skills. These milestones teach students that grit is developed not through ease, but through perseverance in the face of difficulty.
Adaptive Change and Building Skills Through Revision
Implementing the Cornerstone Project has deepened my understanding of adaptive change. Balancing structure with student autonomy is an ongoing challenge, requiring both faculty and students to adjust traditional roles.
Initially, I struggled to step back and let students take the lead, especially when I could foresee potential pitfalls. However, witnessing their growth as they navigated obstacles reaffirmed the value of this approach. Adaptive leadership involves embracing uncertainty and fostering collaboration to address challenges creatively—lessons I continue to learn alongside my students.
An essential part of the Cornerstone Project is the emphasis on revision and continuous improvement. At every stage, students engage in a feedback loop with peers and faculty, adjusting their work based on constructive input.
As one student reflected, “It was very difficult to turn in something you thought was good, but receive more insight and have to go back and revise your assignment. This humbled me, but I learned that I can always improve and persevere through challenges. Even when I thought I would never get it right, I kept going, and I’m proud of the work I produced.”
These experiences teach students the value of perseverance and continuous improvement, shaping their approach to future challenges.
Aligning with Faith and Values
The Cornerstone Project is deeply rooted in Christian principles, emphasizing servant leadership and stewardship. By giving students ownership of their projects, we challenge them to use their God-given gifts, skills, and talents to make meaningful contributions to our school and beyond.
This reflects our calling to participate in God’s oikonomia—His great plan to unite the world to Himself through love and grace. For example, one group created a prayer-centered student organization, while another organized a collection drive to support local families in need. These initiatives demonstrate how faith can inspire action, aligning students’ work with the values of humility, generosity, and love.
This connection to faith reminds students that leadership is not just about building skills—it’s about embodying Christ’s example of service and sacrifice. Through their work, they experience firsthand how they can embody His love and contribute to a community that honors Him.
Lasting Impact on Students and the School
The Cornerstone Project leaves a lasting impact on both students and the school. Students experience firsthand how their ideas, when paired with research and commitment, can lead to tangible improvements.
In just three short years, these freshmen will take the skills and lessons cultivated in the Cornerstone Project into their Senior Capstone experience. There, they will create a project rooted in their vocational calling, exploring the intersection of their gifts, what they can offer, and the needs of the world around them. This journey, beginning with their first steps in leadership, culminates in a profound opportunity to serve and impact others in meaningful, Christ-centered ways.
At CVCS, the Freshman Cornerstone Project is far more than a class assignment—it’s a transformative experience that equips students with the resilience, creativity, and servant-hearted leadership they need to shape their world.
After all, this is their school, and they’re already doing some pretty amazing things to shape its future.
About the Author
Sergio Montes De Oca is a Lead Fellow for Baylor University’s MA in School Leadership and an English and Bible teacher at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools. Passionate about flourishing in education and faith, he is committed to developing both minds and character, helping students and teachers grow in wisdom and purpose. He loves a good cup of coffee and an even better book.