Tectonic Shifts: Converge, Diverge, Transform

CS students joyously jump while wearing CS shirts.

Our 2025-2026 Theme Celebrated This year’s theme, Tectonic Shifts: Converge, Diverge, Transform, provided a powerful framework for understanding the rhythms of a school year: the ways we come together, the paths students forge on their own, and how the people, places, and experiences we share ultimately transform us. We had much to celebrate as a […]

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What is Looping?

Hula hoops on the ground with kids lower body jumping in the circles.

Looping is an important part of the educational process at Community School. Our students often stay with the same teachers and peers, or at the same level, for multiple years, and this is intentional. Why we loop: Looping creates a stable, familiar environment where students feel comfortable with routines and expectations, which supports academic success. Teachers […]

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Alumni Update: Riley Studebaker

We recently caught up with Riley Studebaker, a Community School alum from the class of 2010. Since graduating, he has earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and a Master’s in Robotics & Autonomous Systems from the University of Pennsylvania. He is now a professor at the RPI School of Architecture and founder of […]

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CS Students Make Their Move at Local Chess Tournament

Earlier this month, middle schoolers, Issa, John, and Mac, represented Community School at the 2026 Southwest Virginia Chess Championships held at Fallon Park Elementary School. The team performed exceptionally well, with Issa taking first place in the individual competition and the Community School team earning second place overall. Math teacher Julie Martin, who attended the […]

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The Benefits of a Non-Graded Curriculum

One of the many things that makes Community School unique is our non-graded approach to education. We believe students learn best when they feel supported, understood, and excited about their learning. Our non-graded model is designed to foster curiosity, confidence, and connection, while honoring each child’s individual learning journey. Why a Non-Graded Model Works A […]

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Community School’s Student Council, Successful Bake Sale

A student is smiling and holding up a muffin.

Written by Student Council Members Emily X. and Samih B. Community School Middle School has started a student council this year, focused on improving the campus and organizing student events. The student council delivered a successful bake sale on December 10, 2025. In one of their first big events, the student council held the most […]

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The FROGs Robotics Team Off to Strong Start in Second Season

Community School’s middle school robotics team, The FROGs, kicked off their competition season with an impressive performance at the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) qualifier held at North Cross School last weekend. In just their second year of competition, the team placed 7th in the qualifiers and advanced to two playoff rounds while competing against high […]

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Alumni Update with Audrey Stephenson

We recently caught up with CS alumna Audrey Stephenson, class of 2010, as she updated us on her professional journey and reflected on how her time at Community School influenced her path. Audrey fondly remembers her years at Community School. Her favorite memories come from playing in the Big Woods, where she and her friends […]

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