Academics
High School (Grades 9-12)

Creative Writing Program

A multi-tiered, joyful, immersive sequence of classes and experiences, the Campbell Hall Creative Writing Program seeks to ignite a lifelong curiosity about and love for language by helping students identify and develop their own ideas and voices, as well as deepen their understanding of how art can move, provoke, contribute to, and transform readers and communities.

The Program

Looking back on my 4 years at Campbell Hall, the creative writing program had the biggest impact on me. The class was something I looked forward to on every Gold day. The structure of the class was extremely collaborative and self-paced, more realistic of both college courses and the working world. Hirshberg is a great mentor for both writing and life.”

—Olivia, Class of 2015


The Creative Writing program was an invaluable part of my Campbell Hall experience. We were pushed to think creatively, write constantly and work collaboratively. I went on to major in creative writing in college and continue to pursue career opportunities that allow me to write every day.”

—Adam, Class of 1999

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  • The CREW Project

    Through Campbell Hall’s CREW project (Creative wRiting Experiential Workshop), a cohort of advanced creative writing students spend the first half of the year training as instructors, then head into the surrounding community to teach the curriculum to 4th and 5th graders at much less advantaged elementary schools as part of an afterschool program managed by L.A.’s Best.
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  • Core Classes

    These workshop-driven courses form the foundation of the Creative Writing Program. The advanced class is designed to be repeated as often as students desire, as the content constantly changes. Complementary experiences include the CREW Project, as well as the Independent Study and Fellows options.
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  • Independent Studies

    To earn the designation of Creative Writing Fellow and best take advantage of everything the Program has to offer, advanced students may choose to complete the two Independent Study courses below, designed to allow students to explore their own likely trajectories as writers after leaving Campbell Hall, and to hone their craft by delving deeply into the work of writers they admire.
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  • Fellows

    Students who complete at least four semesters of class and/or related work (i.e., serving as part of CREW or on the Literary Publications staff), both of the Independent Study courses listed above, and a culminating thesis project have the opportunity to earn the distinction of Creative Writing Fellow on their final transcript. The designation is meant to mark significant commitment to and achievement in the discipline of Creative Writing.
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Student Testimonials

  • “Hirshberg's creative writing program taught me the importance of both silence and enthusiastic critique in workshop.

    Remaining quiet as he led my peers in a discussion of my workshop piece taught me that what others produce out of your writing is as valuable as what you as the writer have produced for them. His classroom, appropriately situated in a studio away from the main quad, was an island of individual creative process and more importantly, friendship.”

    —Olivia, Class of 2014

  • “Mr. Hirshberg’s creative writing program was the highlight of my time at Campbell Hall.

    As someone who’s always loved to write, his class was a wonderful outlet to not just get into the habit of writing consistently, but to understand that absorbing feedback and following up with rewrites are equal, if not more valuable parts of the creative process than simply finishing a piece in one clean sweep. By the time I got to NYU’s Film/TV program, where I’ve both read scripts at various development internships and taken several screenwriting classes, Hirshberg’s class critique structure was second nature to me and set me ahead significantly. Not to mention, he’s one of the most personally invested teachers I’ve ever had to date, always engaged in each individual’s work, and never not inspiring and encouraging them to continue to read, write, and challenge themselves creatively.”

    —Jordan, Class of 2014

4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City, CA 91607
Phone 818.980.7280

Campbell Hall is an independent, Episcopal, K-12 all gender day school. We are a community of inquiry committed to academic excellence and to the nurturing of decent, loving, and responsible human beings.

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