Campus School celebrates 90 years of quality education
Almost a century of service in educating generations of students produces a lot of cherished memories for those with connections to Homer Pittard Campus School, the K-5 teaching laboratory school owned by MTSU and operated by Rutherford County Schools.
Dozens of former students, parents, teachers, staff and community supporters returned for the annual open house held Tuesday afternoon and hosted by the Friends of Campus School organization. Among them was 94-year-old alumna Evelyn Turney.
Turney, who attended the school in the late 1930s when it also served ninth- and tenth-graders, said she really enjoyed “seeing some of my past acquaintances and … looking at the building to see how it’s changed.”
“And I was glad to finally meet the new principal.”
That principal, MTSU alumna Sherry King, took the helm in 2013 and believes events like the annual open house allow the Campus School community to celebrate the rich history and traditions that have been built over the years.
“It’s like a homecoming. It’s such a wonderful event,” said King, as lines of visitors milled around the school’s gymnasium to view the tables filled with photos and other memorabilia from previous decades. “We’re like generations of family. Once you’ve gone here you always belong here.”
MTSU’s support continues to be a critical component of the school’s success, King said, noting that MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and College of Education Dean Lana Seivers both stopped by the school Tuesday to present a special certificate in recognition of the school’s 90th anniversary.
“As this community knows so well, Campus School is a testament to MTSU’s origins as a normal school to train teachers and its continued commitment to quality education,” McPhee said. “This special partnership between our university and Rutherford County Schools provides our students with invaluable training and is a jewel within our community.”
“We just have a great connection and a great partnership,” King added.
Part of the open house was the traditional “Stroll through the Decades” presentation in which fifth-graders portrayed a wide variety of historical figures ranging from civil rights icon Rosa Parks to astronaut Neil Armstrong and from former President George W. Bush to, of course, Elvis.
Parent Brooke Scott looked on with pride as her daughter, Jada, stood at the ready to tell visitors all about the historic figure she was portraying, former first lady Michelle Obama.
“We absolutely love Campus School. We’ve been here since kindergarten,” Scott said. “It fosters an environment of teamwork, creativity and growth. They really work one-on-one with the students … and challenge them to go beyond and reach their full potential.”
Fourth-grader Abigail Williams was among students serving as student ambassador and tour guides, explaining to visiting alumni the current happenings at the school but also learning about the school’s past themselves.
“It’s really great because I love to hear their stories … and the memories they have from here,” Williams said.
This year’s open house honored the Goodman family, which has multiple generations of members who have attended the school.
Homer Pittard Campus School is located at 923 E. Lytle St. in Murfreesboro. For more information, visit hpc.rcschools.net or the Friends of Campus School Facebook page.
