History of Chadwick

Chadwick School has grown significantly since opening in 1935, but the legacy of its founder, Margaret Lee Chadwick, remains a driving force behind the school’s continued development. Now in its 75th year, Chadwick has more than 800 students in kindergarten through Grade 12 and has graduated more than 3,000 students. One of Chadwick's most significant milestones is the founding in 2010 of Chadwick International School in Songdo, South Korea, expanding opportunities for students around the globe to benefit from a world-class Chadwick education and become lifelong members of the Chadwick Community.

Highlights from Chadwick’s distinguished history include:

1935:

Margaret Lee Chadwick founds Chadwick Open-Air School in her San Pedro, Calif., home with four students, two of them her own children.

1938:

The Palos Verdes, Calif., campus of Chadwick Seaside School opens, thanks to generous donations of land from the Vanderlip family and buildings from the Roessler family. Seventy-five day and boarding students attend.

1940:

Chadwick graduates its first class consisting of six boys and five girls.

1963:

Commander and Margaret Lee Chadwick retire after 28 years of service to the school. The Roessler-Chadwick Foundation is created and appoints its first Board of Trustees.

1968:

The boarding program is discontinued. The school’s endowment fund is established, today valued at nearly $20 million. This fund ensures Chadwick’s long-term financial stability.

1972:

Chadwick receives its charter as a member of the Cum Laude Society, recognizing the school’s excellence in scholastic achievement. Seven faculty members and seven students are inducted.

1978:

The outdoor education program is created, introducing camping, hiking, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing into Chadwick’s curriculum.

1981:

Chadwick’s first community service program is established. It was recognized by “U.S. News and World Report” as one of the finest in the United States. Today, more than 90 percent of Upper School students participate in the program.

1992:

A new gymnasium, Pascoe Pavilion, replaces the school’s temporary inflatable gymnasium, fondly called “The Bubble.”

2004:

The Geoffrey Alan Laverty Center for the Performing Arts opens to provide Chadwick with an outstanding teaching and performance facility for instrumental and vocal music, drama, dance, set construction and stagecraft.

2010:

Chadwick School expands the visionary educational philosophy of Margaret Chadwick outside the United States in founding Chadwick International School, an independent coeducational non-denominational international K-12 school located in the newly created Incheon Free Economic Zone, also known as the International Business District (IBD), in Songdo, South Korea. Chadwick International admits an inaugural class of 260 K-7 students.

For a complete history, visit Chadwick’s Leavenworth Library or the Local History Room of Palos Verdes Peninsula Library. Both house all of the books Mrs. Chadwick wrote about the school, as well as yearbooks from each graduating class.

For more information, contact:
Fran Pullara
Chadwick School Archivist
Ext. 4141