Community High School of Arts & Academics

Community High School of Arts & Academics An independent high school based in downtown Roanoke, Va., small by design, with an alternative-educa We seek to define the arts as critical thinking.

We are located in downtown Roanoke, Va., where our students work with a number of partner organizations. Our campus extends beyond our main facility at 302 Second Street to the Roanoke Higher Education Center and the Taubman Museum of Art. We are small by design, with classes that work in an intimate, seminar-based format. Our faculty includes working artists accomplished in their fields and schol

ars with advanced degrees. Our curriculum is diverse, including classes in both conventional core subjects and in areas ranging from Film Production to African Studies. Our students are diverse as well, in ethnicity, faith, economic background and, perhaps most importantly, vocation. While we encourage students to express themselves creatively, our understanding of Art isn’t limited to that. We encourage our students to engage in a broader cultural conversation, to understand Art as a means of inquiry. To do so means to think independently and critically. The cognitive skills developed through the arts are as vital as those developed in the sciences and social sciences. All of them make for better students, more engaged citizens and happier people. What else can we say? Perhaps this: Community High is a home for folks who are impatient with rote learning, standardization and unimaginative thinking.

And last but not least, Claudia Flores de Franko has returned to CHS once again as a Spanish language instructor.Claudia...
08/31/2026

And last but not least, Claudia Flores de Franko has returned to CHS once again as a Spanish language instructor.

Claudia is a trilingual teacher and established artist who came to Roanoke in 1993 as a Fulbright Language Assistant for Hollins College. It was at Hollins where she later earned her M.A.L.S. She was a full time faculty member at CHS teaching French, Spanish, and Art for nine years. Claudia is delighted to come back to CHS even for a shorter version. During her absence she cared for her parents back in her beloved Mexico, and expanded her teaching experience in Tanzania and Dubai. Claudia has a passion for traveling the world, and she has studied, worked, lived and/or exhibited her art in seven countries. Early mornings she can be found in the vegetable garden she grows in the company of her husband Fred. Her art studio is her best company and where friends are always welcomed.

Next up, we'd like to introduce our new rock band Director, Sam Lunsford. Sam has been an active musician, songwriter, ...
08/31/2026

Next up, we'd like to introduce our new rock band Director, Sam Lunsford.

Sam has been an active musician, songwriter, and producer in the Roanoke area – and beyond – for the last 25 years. He began composing original music at age 11, and performing rock gigs professionally at age 16. At present he has performed in almost every state of the US, and some abroad. He has contributed to over 40 albums as a songwriter, arranger, producer, performer, and recording/mixing engineer.

He has taught production and songwriting camps at The Music Lab at Jefferson Center, served as an artist in residency at Virginia Tech, and led DJ and beat making workshops at Roanoke City Public Libraries and West End Center. He is proficient at multiple instruments including drums, percussion, guitar, bass, keyboards, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, sitar, Native American flute, and vocals.

Sam has achieved international recognition under his musical alias Stimulator Jones, and is currently active in a plethora of Roanoke-area bands including but not limited to Cinémathèque, The Young Sinclairs, Jstop Latin Soul, IréSon, Terry Brown Ascension Project, The Concerns, and Meridiane. He also serves as DJ for the Hoot and Holler storytelling event series.

We have some new faces to introduce! First up, let's welcome Bethany Porter, our newest Assistant Administrator. Bethany...
08/31/2026

We have some new faces to introduce!

First up, let's welcome Bethany Porter, our newest Assistant Administrator.

Bethany earned a BA in communications from Christopher Newport University, focusing on interpersonal communication and dialogue. She also studied French and interned abroad as an undergrad in Roanoke’s Sister City, Saint-Lô!

Bethany spent time in Colorado, where she hiked among the Aspen trees and worked in finance before returning to her hometown, Roanoke. After working in fundraising and membership services, she is looking forward to working at Community High School.

When Bethany is not at home with her cat, Dumplin’, she can be found hiking Virginia trails, visiting local coffee shops, or attending shows around Roanoke.

It's been a great first week. Returning students and new students took time to get to know each other, and then they jum...
08/29/2026

It's been a great first week. Returning students and new students took time to get to know each other, and then they jumped right into their new classes. Best wishes to everyone for a great fall semester.

We are so happy to have our students back on campus!
08/29/2026

We are so happy to have our students back on campus!

Over the summer volunteers helped with some rearranging at the school. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to introduc...
08/24/2026

Over the summer volunteers helped with some rearranging at the school. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to introduce our new students to our new library today!

⛰️🥾💪😍
06/04/2026

⛰️🥾💪😍

We’ll go to a cliff hanging off the Catawba Mountain along the Appalachian Trail to be with members of the VAIS family! Enjoyed hiking to McAfee K**b with Josh Chapman and Meg Snow of Community High School of Arts & Academics today. Remember: you don’t have to leave our beautiful Commonwealth for fresh air and views like this! Explore Virginia is for Lovers right in your backyard this summer! 🥾

🎓 Congratulations to our Class of 2026! 🎓
05/30/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our Class of 2026! 🎓

This morning our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors came out to decorate the graduation caps for our seniors. 🎓🥰
05/26/2026

This morning our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors came out to decorate the graduation caps for our seniors. 🎓🥰

Address

302 Campbell Avenue SE
Roanoke, VA
24013

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15403451688

Website

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