Campus School of Smith College

Community building takes many forms. This year, our library launched its first-ever Book Drive and Book Swap, bringing students together through a shared love of reading.
Students were invited to donate 5–7 books they had enjoyed and outgrown, including picture books, early readers, graphic novels, middle-grade novels, and young adult titles. The initiative was designed to promote sustainability, expand access to books, and encourage students to discover new favorites without making purchases.
Together, our community collected an impressive 573 books. Students were then able to select two books to take home, giving beloved stories a second life while building their own home libraries. Remaining books were donated to classroom libraries and the Children's Museum at Holyoke , extending the impact of the project beyond our school.
A wonderful example of how sharing stories can strengthen connections, foster generosity, and build community—one book at a time. 📚

📚✨ Knock Knock, Who’s There? Fairy Tales!

This spring, our third graders became authors, illustrators, editors, and publishers as they collaborated to create and publish their own fairy tale anthology, Knock Knock, Who’s There? Fairy Tales.

Drawing inspiration from classic tales, students reimagined familiar stories with creative twists, original characters, and imaginative settings. Throughout the unit, they planned, drafted, revised, edited, and illustrated their work, using feedback from peers and teachers to strengthen their storytelling. Along the way, they explored how authors develop characters, build suspense, use dialogue, and bring stories to life through vivid details.

The finished anthology showcases each student’s unique voice and creativity—from talking koalas and adventurous sphinxes to unexpected narrators and magical creatures. Most importantly, it reflects the perseverance, problem-solving, and joy that come with seeing an idea grow from a spark of imagination into a published book.

We are so proud of our young authors and the stories they shared with one another and our community. 📖💙

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of beloved community member and acclaimed author Jane Yolen.
As a writer, parent, and friend of Campus School, Jane touched countless lives and left an enduring mark on our community. Her love of storytelling, generosity of spirit, and commitment to children and learning continue to inspire us. Her influence is woven throughout our school’s history and can be felt in the many students, families, and educators she encouraged over the years.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jane’s family and to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her remarkable legacy will live on through her words, her work, and the many lives she touched.
She will be deeply missed. 💛

In their final Art/Spanish collaboration of the year, Fifth Graders explored the rich tradition of community murals across Mexico, Chile, and Cuba. Through visits to the Smith College Museum of Art and local murals in Northampton, students examined how artists use color, composition, and storytelling to celebrate the identities, histories, and values of their communities.

Inspired by artists such as Diego Rivera, Judith Baca, and Rufino Tamayo, students returned to the art studio to design and paint their own collaborative murals. Working together, they combined creativity, imagination, and shared ideas to bring their visions to life.

These beautiful murals will remain on display in the Sixth Grade hallway throughout next year—be sure to stop by and take a look when you visit the classrooms this fall!

Meet Makena, Campus School Class of 2018, who has returned for her second summer as a June Program counselor! When reflecting on her time at Campus School, Makena shared that what she remembers most is the caring teachers and the strong sense of community within each class.
We’re especially excited to have Makena back on campus this summer. As a rising junior at Smith College , she remains an important part of our extended Campus School community, and we’re grateful to have her sharing her talents with our June Program students. 💡💛

Some of our June Program students celebrated the excitement of the World Cup by participating in our very own Campus School Cup last week! With enthusiastic spectators, spirited cheering sections, and plenty of teamwork on display, students enjoyed a fun-filled day of friendly competition. ⚽🏆 The energy on the field—and in the stands—made it a memorable event for everyone involved!

Have you heard a familiar voice on the radio lately? It’s our own Ruthie bringing the Campus School story to life on WRSI 93.9 The River!
As the voice behind our newest radio ad, Ruthie shares what makes Campus School such a unique educational choice and unparalleled place to learn and grow. 

Have you heard the ad yet? Let us know in the comments!

Using their knowledge of organelles (the specialized parts of a cell) our fourth graders created imaginative “Cell Cities” to bring microscopic worlds to life!
Earlier this spring, students began their study of the human body by exploring the basic needs of all living things. As they learned about organelles, they were amazed to discover that each of us contains more than 30 trillion tiny cells, each functioning like its own miniature world.
To better understand how cells work, students compared them to something more familiar: a city. Their creative Cell Cities featured organelle-inspired structures such as Nucleus Town Hall, Cytoplasm Tree Roots, and Mitochondria Wind Turbines, each designed to represent the important jobs organelles perform inside our bodies.
What a wonderful blend of science, creativity, and critical thinking!

Meet Max, Campus School Class of 2022 and one of our June Program counselors this summer! Working primarily with our younger campers, Max has quickly become a favorite on the playground, field, and throughout our summer community.
When reflecting on his time as a Campus School student, Max shared that Field Day was always one of his favorite traditions. It’s especially meaningful to see alumni return to campus and help create the same joyful experiences for the next generation of students.
We are so happy to have Max back on campus this summer!

🎓 Congratulations to the high school Class of 2026 — our Campus School Class of 2020!

We were thrilled to receive this photo of Campus School alumni celebrating graduation together. While so much has changed since their days in our classrooms, one thing has remained the same: the friendships they built here.

Watching students grow, pursue their passions, and stay connected long after they leave our campus is one of the greatest joys of being part of the Campus School community. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and can’t wait to see what comes next. 💙