Admission | Chadwick School

When are applications due? 

The 2026-27 school year application deadline is Jan. 12, 2026. If you need assistance during the application process, please get in touch with us via email. Thank you!

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What do you look for during the admission process?

We enjoy getting to know applicants and parents during the application process. As a community, we look for students who have potential to thrive and be successful in the Chadwick School environment, making the most of their academic abilities and enjoying the many opportunities available outside of the classroom. As a result, admission is competitive. The admissions committees consider the candidate’s school record, teacher and administrator recommendations, and test scores. Students applying to kindergarten will have opportunities to meet with our staff and with our Village School teachers as part of the admission process.

Given Chadwick’s emphasis on our Core Values — respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and honesty — the student’s character and integrity are significant in our decision-making. Other factors include age appropriate considerations of leadership, work ethic and commitment, and talent — both potential and demonstrated. We consider each student in the context of the total applicant pool. Each year, the admissions committees bring together a diverse group of new students, each of whom brings the ability and desire to thrive in our community — academically and personally.

Can a student be admitted in any grade?

There are four major entry points to Chadwick School. We admit approximately 40 new students to the Kindergarten program each year. It is important to note that all students entering Kindergarten must be five years of age by Sept. 1 in the year they plan to enroll. With a larger Grade 6 class, we have the opportunity to offer admission to approximately 35 new students. We enroll approximately 8 to 15 new students in Grade 7, and 25 to 30 new students to Grade 9. Applications for Grades 1-5, Grade 8, and Grades 10-11 are considered on a space availability basis, in addition to the normal admission criteria.

Do you accept international applicants?

In order to enroll at Chadwick School, an international student must be fully fluent in English and live within commuting distance of the school with one or both parents.  Because we do not have an ELL (English Language Learner) program, full English fluency is absolutely required for all students, written, read and spoken.  Academic success at Chadwick depends on the applicant's ability to communicate effectively in English.  To that end, we do require that applicants to the 7th through 12th grades complete an interview through Vericant to demonstrate English fluency.  If you are applying to a younger grade or if you believe that you have a situation that would not require these results to demonstrate fluency, please be in touch with our office via email:

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We do not have a home-stay program or offer boarding, nor do our students live with guardians. Because of expected parental involvement, International students seeking to enroll at Chadwick must live with one or both of their parents.

Chadwick issues the Form I-20 once a student has been accepted and is enrolled. We will assist, to the extent possible, with acquiring the appropriate Visa for study for all enrolled students.

When will admission decisions be announced?

Offers of admission will be extended to accepted new students on Friday, March 13, 2026.

How many students are there in each classroom?

We have optimal class sizes allowing teachers to know each of their students well. The typical class for the Village School is 20 students, and most elementary grades have 2 teachers in each classroom. In the Middle and Upper Schools, the typical class size is 16-18 students. 

How many students are in each division?

The Village School, our Kindergarten through Grade 6 division, includes 320 students in total. Each grade, Kindergarten through Grade 5, has approximately 40 students, while Grade 6 grows to 75-80 students. Our Middle School has approximately 85 students per grade in both Grades 7 and 8. The Upper School has approximately 360 students spread evenly across Grades 9 through 12.

How do you get to school?

Students get to campus by bus or in a carpool. Chadwick provides a bus to service our families from Carson, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Lomita, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach and Torrance. Morning, afternoon, and round-trip fare options are available for each location. Actual costs and schedules will be made available to students and their families each summer, as locations may vary each year. Annual bus fees range from $530 - $1,295 one way and $1,425 - $2,190 round trip. Click here for a sample bus schedule.

Chadwick has an extensive network of carpools. The transportation office can assist families with finding a carpool.

What are the school day hours?

• Village School: 7:55 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (dismissal at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays)
• Middle School: 7:55 a.m. - 3:40 p.m. (dismissal at 2:45 p.m. on Fridays)
• Upper School: 7:55 a.m. - 3:40 p.m. (dismissal at 2:45 p.m. on Fridays)

All divisions begin at 8:55 a.m. on Wednesdays as part of a wellness initiative.

What's the dress code?

Founder Margaret Chadwick believed that a student’s choice of dress is a means of self-expression, so we do not have uniforms. However, we do have a dress code requiring that all students dress appropriately and in good taste for learning.

Is there before and after-school care?

Our main after-care program in the Village School is called Extended Day and it offers a blend of structured and self-directed activities in an informal atmosphere at a cost of $12 per hour after school. Extended Day is also available before regular school hours with no associated fee. Afternoon activities may include indoor and outdoor games as well as arts and crafts. The program also provides structured time for homework, relaxation and exploration, and a healthy snack. We also offer afternoon academic and enrichment courses for Village School students such as Chess Club, Improv Comedy, Journalism and Hogwarts Academy for an additional fee.

• Morning Care:

- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:15 a.m. - 7:55 a.m.
- Wednesday: 7:15 - 8:55 a.m.

• After-School Care:

- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 3:15 - 5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.