Students confidently express their ideas in written, verbal and visual form. Reading and writing workshop groups and one-on-one conferences with teachers help students move from the basics of handwriting, spelling and phonics into oral reading, literature groups, researching and writing fictional and informational texts, journaling and poetry writing. 

In the Lower Village (K-2), weekly visits to the Village library help students establish a deep appreciation for stories and books while time at the computer lab creates an immersive and technology-driven learning experience.

Students advance their technological skills, using computers, iPads and Smart Boards to practice PowerPoint, Internet research, word processing, keyboarding and math, while digital media art and animations tools like Pixie and KidPix are used to tell stories. 

In the Upper Village (3-6), literature circles help students read, write and critically interpret texts with increasing insight, accuracy and depth. With ongoing opportunities to write fiction pieces, personal statements and nonfiction reports, students learn to write in various forms for different audiences. 

The Chadwick canyon provides the perfect backdrop for exploring surrounding environments through a scientific lens and learning to hypothesize outcomes. In the Upper Village, a major focus on Earth sciences includes seismology, geology, ecology, weather, chemistry and physics. Students learn to think and work like scientists, engaging in frequent labs, keeping a lab notebook, framing questions and testing their own theories.

In the Village School, children learn critical interpersonal skills like self-advocacy, consideration, cooperation, collaboration and negotiation. Programs such as Mindfulness, URSTRONG and Responsive Classroom help them create a strong community with their classmates. In sixth grade, a focus on social-emotional growth expands to include student meetings in small groups with individual advisors four times a week. 

Mindfulness is an increasing part of our Village School curriculum. Studies have shown that daily mindfulness promotes resilience and reduces stress and anxiety. 

Starting in kindergarten through grade 5, students work on their presentation and theater skills through in-classroom drama lessons. Village drama projects include Walk Through the American Revolution and Walk through California, a performance of vignettes showing the history of the country and California. The Village drama teacher also supports K-6 students with the production of talent shows multiple times a year. The music program begins with singing and develops music appreciation through vocal and instrumental study and performance. Each year, students build upon their understanding of pitch, rhythm and musical literacy, composition and expression, with opportunities to play in the orchestra and sing during concerts. In grade 6, students can choose to more deeply explore the worlds of instrumental music, vocal music, drama or dance — each for one trimester. 

Chadwick Village students immerse themselves in the visual arts, working with a variety of media that includes clay, paint, watercolor, pencil and more. In addition to expressing their own creativity, Chadwick artists learn about artistic masters through in-class lessons and field trips to local museums and landmarks.

In sixth grade, options expand as students choose one media course per quarter based on their own personal interest. Among others, options include drawing, painting, mixed media and ceramics.