Spring Branch ISD Featured News

At Cornerstone Academy (CSA), a Choice Program school in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), team sports are not part of the middle school’s charter. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t outstanding athletes among its students.

Health Fitness is an integral part of Cornerstone’s curriculum, designed to keep students active and fit. Health Fitness teacher Chandre Crawford highlights several exceptional athletes in her classes, including sixth-grader Bennett Moore.

Crawford nominated Moore for this month’s Athletic Spotlight, citing his impressive FitnessGram scores. FitnessGram is a national test that assesses students' strength and fitness through activities such as push-ups, curl-ups, and the pacer test. The scores contribute to a database that tracks overall fitness trends and examines the link between physical health and academic success.

“Not only did Bennett excel in FitnessGram testing, but he also brings a positive attitude and enthusiasm that inspires his classmates,” Crawford said of her first-period student.

Moore, who participates in running, swimming, and soccer leagues outside of SBISD, values exercise for its health benefits.

“My favorite part of gym is playing fun games like mat ball and Poison,” Moore said. “I especially enjoy it when I get lots of people out in Poison and they all shout, ‘Get Bennett out!’”

Crawford has been impressed with Moore’s physical skills since the start of the 2024-25 school year. “Bennett is an exceptional athlete and a standout leader in our sixth-grade health fitness class,” she said.

Moore believes that staying active in Health Fitness will benefit him in the long term. “I think being active will help me be resilient in life after high school,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to bounce back from challenges.”

Moore also identifies with the SBISD Core Characteristic of being ethical and service-minded. “It’s important to me to think of others first,” he said.

“His spirit is truly commendable, and I’m eager to see how he continues to grow and achieve throughout the year,” Crawford added.

Ongoing participation in sports supports physical and personal growth. Research by FitnessGram shows that daily physical activity contributes to robust health, cognitive development, and academic success.

At Cornerstone, Crawford teaches all students in grades six through eight. Besides Moore, she praises the following standout athletes for their leadership and exemplary qualities:

• Josephine Chen
• Ryan Whalen
• Emily Kovics
• Pierre Caussade
• Lillian Lowther

“These students demonstrate strong leadership, support their classmates, and embody the qualities of an exemplary student at Cornerstone Academy and in SBISD,” Crawford said.

After completing his three years at Cornerstone, Moore plans to attend Stratford High School in SBISD. “I’m excited because I have siblings and friends there, and it seems fun,” he said.

Stratford’s athletics and physical education programs will benefit from having this talented and well-rounded student join the Spartan family. Go, Bennett, go!

#SBISDProud