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The Skoolie Course: Jemicy Bus Conversion

1/7/2026

August DiMucci, Upper School Faculty

It's the perfect fusion of creativity, sustainability, engineering, and technical skill.

Have you ever glanced at a coworker after hearing that one of your school’s vintage buses was being retired and, almost in unison, said, “Let’s convert it into a camper!”?

That’s exactly what happened, and from that spark of inspiration, the wheels (literally and figuratively) started turning. The result? A one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience now known as the Jemicy Bus Conversion (JBC)-Skoolie course.

Offered at Jemicy’s Upper School, the course represents the perfect fusion of creativity, sustainability, and hands-on skill-building. What began as a simple idea of repurposing a decommissioned school bus has evolved into a dynamic project that engages students in meaningful, project-based learning. The mission is to transform an old school bus into a fully functional, stylish, and sustainable mobile home, commonly referred to as a Skoolie.

This isn’t just a cool side project. It’s a comprehensive course designed to teach a wide array of practical and interdisciplinary skills. From construction and design to electrical work and plumbing, students take the lead in every phase of the conversion. Under the guidance of instructors August DiMucci and Andrew Kelley, the bus becomes a living classroom where students apply concepts from Jemicy’s Industrial Design and Woodworking programs to a real-world challenge.

Each semester, a group of motivated students will roll up their sleeves and dive into the next stage of the build. The process begins with deconstruction, stripping the bus down to its bones and planning the layout for a compact yet livable space. From there, students design and install electrical systems; plan plumbing routes; construct walls, furniture, and storage; and tackle the countless small details that turn a vehicle into a home.

Beyond learning how to use tools and read blueprints, students also develop essential soft skills: teamwork, time management, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and resilience in the face of challenges. Every screw turned and wire connected is a lesson in collaboration and perseverance. The stakes are real, and the rewards are tangible.

At its heart, the JBC-Skoolie course is a powerful lesson in sustainability, inviting students to explore eco-friendly living through hands-on experience. By repurposing a retired school bus instead of sending it to a scrapyard, the project sparks important conversations about consumption, waste, and innovation. Students investigate renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and incorporate sustainable materials, all within the innovative framework of mobile living. The result is a real-world solution, parked just outside the classroom, that offers both a functional product and a deeper understanding of environmental impact and responsible design.

Aldous Huxley once said, “It’s no good knowing about the taste of strawberries out of a book.” This project embodies that idea perfectly; it's more than just a vehicle conversion, it’s a powerful example of how education can extend beyond textbooks and traditional classrooms. By working with real materials, tackling real challenges, and collaborating authentically, students gain skills and insights that prepare them for much more than this single build. The JBC-Skoolie stands as a testament to what can be achieved when creativity is driven by purpose, proving that meaningful learning happens best when imagination meets hands-on experience.

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