Village School | Chadwick School

Village students blow bubbles outside of class during recess.

GRADES K-5

Welcome to the Village School

It’s in kindergarten to fifth grade that the first seeds of learning are planted. At Chadwick, we not only plant but nurture those seeds with an intentional approach that helps students grow a lifelong love of learning. It starts with our experiential curriculum that addresses all aspects of a child’s development. Students engage directly with subjects like reading, writing, problem-solving, art, music, physical education, Spanish and STEM. Within each, they learn by actually doing, interacting and exploring — instead of memorizing facts,  stressing over structured worksheets or just listening to teachers dictate from a textbook. This hands-on philosophy exists within a warm, supportive environment that’s designed specifically for children and facilitated by our highly skilled, attentive teachers, all of whom get to know every student personally. It’s a relational approach that helps children develop social and emotional skills alongside their academic skills. Everything is built around giving students a positive introduction to education that can grow for years to come. 

Learn More About Our Village School Program

Photo of Director of the Lower Village School Deborah Levy.

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Two Village students embrace on Lichtenstein Family Field.

Where Everyone is Known 

Chadwick’s Village School is a welcoming, safe and supportive place — and that’s definitely by design.

Classes are small in size and feature multiple teachers as well as specific reading and math specialists. Students get plenty of individual attention and one-on-one guidance, which helps them learn and grow in a way that uniquely challenges and benefits them.

This positive, nurturing environment also helps children relate to each other and build healthy relationships. It is amazing how quickly bonds can be built when students feel like they belong.

Every student in the Village School is seen, heard and supported.
 

Learn More About Our Village School Educational Approach
 

Student smiles as he paints a mural with his class.

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Discover a Day in the Life of Our Village Students

So, what is life actually like for students in the Village School?

It’s different from one grade to the next, with a gradual progression in academics, co-curriculars and structure, but every grade leads seamlessly into the next.

Our young learners start with the fundamentals, such as specific sound patterns in phonics or cubes in mathematics. Students’ skills then progress to larger contexts like reading comprehension or problem solving. With this solid foundation, Village students are then ready to tackle deeper learning through real-world applications.

This gives them a smooth, developmentally appropriate experience that builds with each year so that by the time students leave Village School, they have a strong intellectual and emotional foundation that they can build on for years to come.

Dive into kindergarten, first grade, second grade or third grade, by clicking on a sample day for Poppy, Hadassah, Jay or Ben —
Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy
Hadassah

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah
Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay
Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben
A student in line for morning meeting.

Clock face displaying 07:55 A.M.

Good Morning! 

It's time to line up for morning meeting, and today Poppy gets to be first in line.

Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy

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A student plays with a skipping rope at recess.

Clock face displaying 09:45 A.M.

Time For Play!

After reading and writing, it's time for play! Recess breaks up the day to help students stay focused.

Hadassa

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah

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Second-grade morning meeting

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Morning Meeting

During the second-grade morning meeting, students circle up to hear some thoughts for the day and connect as a class.

Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay

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Ben and his third-grade classmates begin the day with writing projects.

Clock face displaying 09:30 A.M.

Writing Projects

Ben and his third-grade classmates begin the day with writing projects, working individually at first and later in groups. Today, Ben's group is working on how to write their own fairy tale.

Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben

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Clock face displaying 09:45 A.M.

Recess

During recess, Poppy gets to play on the Lower Village structures. Whee!

Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy

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First grade students learning math.

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Math Class

In first grade, students learn math by tackling real-world problems, like choosing which coins Hadassah will need for a 79-cent popsicle.

Hadassa

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah

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Writing Session

Jay works on his passion project during the class writing session: "Describe what you think can make your community a better place for everyone."

Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay

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Math Class

Collaborative learning is key. During math class, students work together on a presentation on geometric relationships.  

Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben

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A Dance Lesson

This week, kindergarten P.E. gets a dance lesson from Upper School Dance Company helpers.

Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy

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Art Class

During today's art class, students design patches for their community quilt. 

Hadassa

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah

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Recess

There is always time for play during a second-grade day, with plenty of time for recess. After lunch is over, students have quiet time built into their schedule before diving back into their studies.

Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay

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P.E.

During P.E., third graders get to experience different team and individual sports. This week is basketball week.

Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben

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A Social Studies Workshop

Back to class, it's time to choose the right supplies for a social studies workshop.

Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy

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Open for Business

In STEM class, the first grade has spent the past three weeks building their own business structures out of cardboard. They are open for business!  

Hadassa

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah

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Creating Volcanoes

During science class, Jay works in his small group to create a presentation on volcanoes. Together they decide who should make the cinder cone volcano out of clay, and who should draw it.

Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay

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Music

Music is incorporated into every third grader's week, and today students are preparing choreography for the end-of-year performance.

Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben

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"Snack and Pack" Time

At the end of the day, it's "snack and pack" time. Poppy grabs her backpack from her cubby before hopping on the bus.

Poppy

A KINDERGARTEN DAY WITH

Poppy

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A Special Treat

Hadassah and her first-grade friends have a special treat today: popsicles! Just the way to end the day before hopping on the bus.  

Hadassa

A FIRST-GRADE DAY WITH

Hadassah

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The Value of Rhythm

It's off to music class, and the second grade is learning the value of rhythm on percussion instruments. It is a beautiful noise!

Jay

A SECOND-GRADE DAY WITH

Jay

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The End of the Day

It's the end of the day, and Ben heads for his carpool in the Upper Village pickup area.

Ben

A THIRD-GRADE DAY WITH

Ben

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