Vision of Excellence (VOE) is one of Cornerstone’s most original and exciting programs. It was created to enable individuals, companies, and foundations invested in Cornerstone to create a vision of excellence for each Cornerstone classroom, and help to integrate this vision into the curriculum. Vision of Excellence partners (which include organizations such as DTE Energy, the Helppie Family Charitable Foundation and Pulte Homes) work directly with Cornerstone and the students to help shape their own “vision of excellence.” A VOE partner is assigned to a particular classroom, and the core values or particular academic unit a partner wishes to highlight is incorporated into the academic curriculum of the learning community.

Through the Vision of Excellence Program, students have learned the principles of home building and associated careers, the need to recycle and the value of green living, Jewish heritage and history and many others.

Students often take field trips to their partner’s company, so that they can see these lessons in action. The Vision of Excellence program not only helps shape the students’ education, it also provides them with enriching experiences with companies of vision, great values, and character. The giving example of the Vision of Excellence partners and the values of generosity and philanthropy that they instill will remain with the students as a reminder that one day, they too will have a responsibility to help others in life.