All Community School events for the 2020-2021 academic year have been reimagined to be safe and socially distant. Below is a sampling of a traditional school year. We hope to return to this format in the coming academic year.
Fall Festival
Community School students, parents, and faculty participate in Fall Festival during the month of October. Students at all levels take part in outdoor experiences. Elementary and middle school students take overnight camping trips to campgrounds and state parks around our beautiful state.
The heart of Fall Festival is to enhance students’ awareness of nature, to explore contemporary environmental issues, and to build social relationships with families and classmates. Fall Festival enables faculty to get to know their students better, and it allows students to engage in educational, team-building, and problem-solving activities outdoors.
Fall Open House
Held each November, this Open House is an opportunity for prospective families to visit Community School and learn more about our programs. For more information, visit our admissions page.
Thanksgiving Art Show and Reception
Each year, Community School holds a Thanksgiving Art Show. The art show takes place on the Hollins University campus (Ballator and Moody Center) with the school’s teachers and staff providing light refreshments. Current families, grandparents, alumni, and special friends are invited to view our students’ art projects and join our community in giving thanks.
Local Hero Awards
Each year, Community School recognizes a person or organization in the greater Roanoke area nominated for their humanitarian efforts. This special award program is presented by members of our middle school. Each recipient receives an art piece especially created by Community School students. The award is presented on the Friday prior to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Please visit our Local Hero page on this website for information on the most recent recipients.
Information Sessions for Prospective Families
Held during second semester, these information sessions are opportunities for prospective families to visit Community School, talk with teachers, and learn more about our programs. For more details, please visit the Admissions Event page.
Strawberry Festival
This year’s festival is on April 30 & May 1, 2021.
The Annual Community School Strawberry Festival is one of the Valley’s most popular and well-known events. This two-day, family-oriented festival is run entirely by Community School parent volunteers, alumni, and school staff. All proceeds benefit Community School.
The Strawberry Festival draws approximately 20,000 visitors to downtown Roanoke during the first weekend of May. In addition to delicious strawberry desserts, there are arts and craft vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment at the Elmwood Park amphitheater. General admission to the festival is free, but festival-goers come for the homemade strawberry shortcakes, strawberry sundaes and chocolate-dipped strawberries sold throughout the day.
Parents and staff from Community School prepare all the shortcakes from scratch, baking enough to serve over 10,000 strawberry shortcakes the weekend of the Festival. They also clean, cap and slice all the berries used, as well as prepare and serve all the treats over the two days.
Spring Arts Festival
Community School students of all ages participate in the Spring Arts Festival, which is presented each May. Students display their visual art projects and perform on stage.
The festival, a collaboration of art, music, and drama, is based on the annual schoolwide theme. Arts Festival is a celebration of students’ achievements in the arts, allowing students to share accomplishments with family and friends.
Celebration
A special event held on the last day of school to “celebrate” the school year.