Chandler School Admission Viewbook 2016

I'm Delighted You're Considering Chandler School.

Chandler students are bright, energetic and engaged.

They celebrate one another’s success and flourish with teachers who know them well and who share with them a passion for learning.

At Chandler, childhood and early adolescence are cherished and honored. In delivering on our mission to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment, Chandler expects students to work hard. The work is meaningful and the environment is personal, safe and supportive.

The curriculum balances core subjects and includes interdisciplinary study that develops well-rounded students. The subject matter taught at Chandler is traditional, but the delivery is full of innovation, from the purposeful and pragmatic implementation of technology to the STEAM curriculum that promotes critical thinking and problem solving through grade level projects which incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and math. Our beautiful campus and first-rate facilities are designed specifically for our program; they provide a physical framework in which students and teachers succeed.

Graduates of Chandler are sought after by secondary schools and then colleges because of the strength of their preparation. The alumni profiles in this viewbook give an indication of the superlative post-Chandler success— professional and personal—enjoyed by so many of our alumni. Chandler alumni stay connected to one another, to the school and to their teachers for life. Many alumni enroll their children in Chandler, seeking the same breadth of opportunities for their children that they themselves enjoyed. Chandler boasts a highly involved community of parents who make their child’s education the highest priority. Membership in the Chandler community is lifelong, and we’re eager to welcome new members each year.

I hope this viewbook provides a small glimpse into what Chandler offers its students and families, and I hope to see you on campus soon.

Most sincerely,

John Finch Head of School

RACHEL FOULLON ’92 Visual artist Rachel Foullon ’92 is a graduate of NYU and Columbia University. She creates sculptures primarily from reclaimed materials such as wood and sewn and dyed canvas. Her exhibitions typically feature clusters of objects and fabrics aimed to invoke the American frontier. Rachel has exhibited her work across the U.S. in addition to the United Kingdom and Italy. “It was at Chandler that I first acquired the incredible and addicting satisfaction of seeing an involved artistic production through from start to finish—being part of an effort that feels larger than myself,” says Rachel.

“At Chandler I was allowed to develop my communication skills in my own way and at my own pace,” says Rachel. “That was important for me, since I remember myself to have been shyer than some of my peers. I was able to develop my artistic inclinations through the regular art classes in addition to the art electives we were allowed to choose.”

CH A N D L E R S C H O O L

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Cultivating a Passion for Le

Chandler’s Lower School

offers students a wide variety of challenges, the tools with which to meet those challenges and the encouragement to approach those challenges with a passion for learning more.

Chandler’s strong tradition of academic rigor also includes an ongoing commitment to innovation, creativity and character development. Every week, students attend science, art, music, library, computer and Spanish classes.

Daily physical education fosters more than just physical strength; it provides countless ways for students to develop teamwork, perseverance, resilience and discipline.

A particular source of pride is Chandler’s dedicated and skillful teachers, who continually bring to bear years of experience and pursue ongoing learning. In addition, students benefit from service learning, field trips, guest speakers and presentations so that they can connect with learning beyond the campus.

Chandler has an ongoing commitment to the developmentally appropriate use of technology in ways that support the curriculum, rather than drive it. Our technology integration prepares students for the world in which they live and learn.

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CHANDLER SCHOOL

Parent-teacher conferences are formally offered twice a year, as well as any other time they are needed.

Parent forums foster open discussions with administrators.

Workshops about child development, technology and other relevant topics support the communication between home and school.

Educators in the Lower School understand that, as important as it is to teach academic subjects, first and foremost comes a focus on teaching children. We know that children develop a strong sense of themselves as dedicated learners and community members when provided a challenging and nurturing education in their formative years.

Sincerely,

Gayle Cole Lower School Director

earning

JOSH OREMAN ’05

“I always felt that excellence was valued in the classroom,” says Josh Oreman ’05 of his nine years at Chandler. “There weren’t any limits to how far I could take the things I was learning about, other than my own desires. It’s hard to overstate the importance of that sort of atmosphere; more than specific topics, the thing I value most about Chandler is that it cultivated the general love of learning and exploration that’s taken me to where I am today,” says Josh, who, in addition to being his secondary school's valedictorian, literally co-wrote that school's math curriculum.

Josh is an MIT graduate and software engineer for a multiasset class quantitative trading firm in New York City.

Josh is particularly appreciative of the interdisciplinary value presented to Chandler students.

"Having an interdisciplinary background really gives you a leg up in trying to solve problems no one’s been able to solve before, because you come at them in a different way, with an expanded toolbox.”

Strong Character In addition to the superior academic preparation they receive, Chandler students are inspired to become the best people they can be. The Chandler community embraces the school's core values of respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Through character education, service learning projects, the buddy program and many other leadership and service opportunities, students at each grade level gain the courage and confidence to lend a hand and improve their world.

CH A N D L E R S C H O O L

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An Ecosystem in Which Ado

The Middle School Experience at Chandler

is optimized to address the academic, emotional, social, and physical needs of students making the transition from childhood to adolescence. Students build academic skills, personal responsibility, independence and confidence in an environment that provides opportunity, choice, and challenge within a structure of caring supervision and guidance. The ecosystem of Chandler’s Middle School is highly specialized to challenge adolescents to constantly think, learn and grow.

The curriculum is departmentalized and students move from class to class.

Students carry an academic schedule of five core courses in the subjects of English, history, mathematics, science and Spanish as well as options in the fine arts, personal development courses, elective opportunities and physical education.

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In sixth grade, students develop foundational skills such as note taking, time management and exam preparation. Students build upon those skills in seventh grade while working on a series of research assignments and creative projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving. As students prepare to graduate, Chandler's capstone eighth grade year provides many opportunities for leadership, selfreflection and community service. The entire academic program is enriched and challenging—designed to build strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, problem solving, use of technology and study habits within the context of the subject matter.

Homework, assigned in all courses, is an integral part of the Middle School program and averages two hours per night. Teachers strive to develop assignments and projects

that are distinct, meaningful and relevant. A daily study hall period is scheduled so students may begin homework or other projects during school hours. In addition to classroom teachers, students also have access to a variety of learning professionals that specialize in study skills, writing, technology, organization and academic research.

Chandler's Middle School is unique in its ability to spotlight, stimulate and support students during a critical period of their youth. At Chandler, Middle School truly matters.

Sincerely,

Anneke Emerson Assistant Head of School

olescents Thrive

HAYDEN BETTS ’08

An undergraduate at Harvard, Hayden Betts ’08 came to Chandler in the sixth grade. “Chandler is entirely responsible for kicking me in the pants to begin the process of developing every academic skill I have,” he says. “My education at Chandler was challenging, but I can confidently say I went in with a little kid brain and came out with a wonderful understanding of so many things about the world,” says Hayden. “Chandler was a decisive moment for me.”

Hayden’s excellent track record at Chandler continued in high school, where he joined the newspaper and became its editor-in-chief, tutored public high school students through a program he orchestrated in collaboration with Pasadena nonprofit Day One, and worked with his classmate and fellow Chandler alumnus Daniel Leon ’08 to build a tractor using open source plans that they ultimately donated to the South Central Farmers Cooperative.

“I couldn’t have asked for better preparation than I got from Chandler School,” says Hayden. “It’s academic without being too constricting. If you come to Chandler, you know you’re going to work hard. You acquiesce to that coming in, and it’s worth it.”

High School Placement

Chandler graduates are highly sought after by secondary schools because of the strength of their preparation. By focusing on pairing each student with the high school that is best suited to him or her, Chandler's graduates are equipped to thrive in their lives after Middle School.

As a K-8 school, Chandler allows students to discover themselves as students, artists and athletes before they make informed decisions about high school. The high school placement process guides

each family through the important decisions and details inherent in applying to high schools. The process begins in the spring of seventh grade, with an informational session about the process.

As eighth-graders, students enroll in the High School Survey course, which prepares them for the specifics and introduces local independent secondary school and boarding school options through oncampus visits from school representatives and Chandler alumni who are enrolled at the schools.

CH A N D L E R S C H O O L

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A Nurturing, Balanced and ATHLETICS

In addition to regular break, snack and lunch periods, Chandler students benefit from daily physical education which includes fitness, skill building, health issues and intramural sports. All activities are introduced as specific units that lead students through a progression of skills and abilities. Activities focus on individual, partner and group skills; students also work on social interaction and cooperation. The program focuses on attainable, yet challenging skills and activities. These units give students a sense of ownership and success in their fitness development and help them gain a sense of personal achievement as they become more competent in their ability. Chandler students of all ages and abilities can achieve success and enjoyment while increasing their own fitness levels. Seventh- and eighth-grade students also have the option of participating on competitive teams—an option of which 98% of students take advantage.

THE ARTS

Chandler’s Visual and Performing Arts Department exposes students to a variety of experiences that promote creativity and enhance an appreciation and understanding of the arts.

The visual arts program emphasizes the development of artistic skills, knowledge and creativity in a variety

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of media and techniques including drawing, painting, weaving, sculpture and ceramics. Students in grades seven and eight have an additional visual art elective opportunity which allows them to specialize in a single area such as photography, ceramics, digital design or printmaking.

Each spring, the students present an art exhibit for the appreciation of the entire school community.

Music offerings include an instrumental ensemble, participation in the Clover Chorus and classes that focus on creating, composing, music history and appreciation.

Performance opportunities include participation in one of two theater productions each year for Middle School students, two singing concerts each year for Lower School students, participation in a choral group, and other less formal performances throughout the year.

AFTERSCHOOL

The Chandler Afterschool Program offers a balanced, supportive and active environment for all children after school hours until 6 p.m.

Students have the opportunity to play with friends and relax at the end of the day. The program also provides the opportunity to do homework with supervision from Chandler faculty. The Chandler Afterschool Program gives students the choice to work alone, in small groups or in large groups engaged in either active or quiet activities that are adult supervised. Through Afterschool, students can participate in instrumental music classes, a chess club, Mandarin classes and more.

Students sign in and out of the Afterschool program daily. The Afterschool staff consists of experienced, qualified educators and professionals that are dedicated to quality childcare. The staff's enthusiasm, professionalism, and understanding help provide a safe environment that enhances a child's creative skills, imagination, physical abilities and, most importantly, allows everyone to have fun.

The faculty/student ratio varies among age groups but does not exceed 1:15.

d Diverse Environment

RENY COLTON ’04 Lifer Reny Colton’s ’04 list of accomplishments in track and field is long: she was an NCAA All-American, won six individual college conference titles, holds the ClaremontMudd-Scripps school record for the long jump, the triple jump and the heptathlon (Reny attended Claremont McKenna).

Reny is the youngest person ever to earn an IAAF International Elite Coach diploma and a USATF Level 3 coaching certificate. She is currently a fixture at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., where she trains alongside past and future Olympians and participates in a coaching mentorship.

The seeds of Reny’s remarkable success were planted at Chandler. “I was extremely lucky to be part of the Chandler physical education program when I was growing up,” says Reny. “I was always pushed to be a champion both in the classroom and out on the field. I discovered my love for the sport of track and field at the end of the second grade.

“The key ingredient has been having a support team of family and friends that not only encourages me, but also can push me to make my dreams bigger. When I first began in the sport, I never could have envisioned myself competing as a professional athlete, however, I have had mentors who have guided me to find that it is possible.”

CH A N D L E R S C H O O L

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Thank You for Your Interest in Chandler School.

Chandler School seeks bright, motivated and well-rounded students who can benefit from a strong academic curriculum and the wide range of opportunities included in our program. Each year Chandler strengthens its community of learners who care about their peers, are curious about the world around them and who will participate fully in school life as they grow and develop. Admissions decisions are made without discrimination as to race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, and without regard to financial assistance.

I welcome your questions and look forward to scheduling a tour with you.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Lurie, Director of Admissions glurie@chandlerschool.org (626) 795-9314 x177 www.chandlerschool.org/admissions

APPLYING

TO CHANDLER SCHOOL

For detailed application information, including all deadlines, please visit www.chandlerschool.org.

STEP 1 Inquire If you wish to learn more about our program, please complete the online inquiry form. This allows us to create an account for you and share additional information and materials before you take the next step.

STEP 2 Attend an Open House The Admissions Open House provides prospective families with an opportunity to tour the campus and learn more about the benefits of a Chandler experience directly from faculty and administrators.

STEP 3 Apply Online Complete and submit the online application and required supplemental materials for the grade to which your child is applying.

STEP 4 Parent Tour & Student Visit After a completed application has been received, the Director of Admissions will contact you to schedule a parent tour and an appointment for your child's required visit. The visit experience varies by grade level.

STEP 5 Teacher Recommendation For all grade levels, we require one teacher recommendation from your child’s current teacher.

STEP 6 Transcript For applicants to grades 2-7, we require a transcript of school records.

STEP 7 Testing Candidates for Chandler’s kindergarten openings are evaluated by Integrated Learning Solutions (ILS). Candidates for Chandler’s grades 5-7 take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).

ADDITIONAL STEPS

Financial Aid

Chandler administers a financial aid program for qualified students who demonstrate financial need. Chandler’s website has step-by-step instructions and a link to the financial-aid application.

KEISUKE NAKAGAWA ’96 A Chandler lifer, Keisuke Nakagawa (pronounced kess-kay) has accomplished a considerable amount for a young alumnus. From earning a Fulbright Scholarship while a senior at Cornell University to winding up as the youngest person ever to be elected to the Fulbright Association’s board to earning the two most prestigious cardiovascular surgery scholarships avail 8

CHANDLER SCHOOL

able to medical students while at the UC Davis School of Medicine, Keisuke is a prime example of the continued academic success earned and enjoyed by Chandler alumni.

Perhaps more importantly, though, Keisuke is an example of the impact a strong educational foundation can have on others. As the cofounder and chairman of Global Health Bridge, a nonprofit organization committed to developing and implementing simple grassroots inspired health technologies for communities in need overseas, Keisuke has directly impacted the lives of more than 40,000

villagers in India. Global Health Bridge utilizes cell phones to send timely reminders to pregnant women and community health workers, often in remote areas, about key antenatal visits.

“My time at Chandler was very fulfilling and enriching,” says Keisuke. “Chandler taught me important values that I have carried with me throughout my life—respect, passion and teamwork. At Chandler, we were inspired to do things differently.

Chandler showed me how fulfilling it is to give and receive respect, to be passionate about what you do and to work with others to accomplish a common goal.”

ABOUT

K-8

CHANDLER IS A COEDUCATIONAL, NON-DENOMINATIONAL K-8 DAY SCHOOL.

The MISSION of Chandler School is to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment.

We strive to have our students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self‑reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

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ZIP CODES THAT CURRENT CHANDLER FAMILIES LIVE IN

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THE AVERAGE TENURE OF A CHANDLER TEACHER IS 10 YEARS.

CHANDLER The CHANDLER CODE

450

CHANDLER ENROLLS 450 STUDENTS EACH YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 190 IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND 260 IN LOWER SCHOOL.

WHEN STUDENTS BEGIN SPANISH & COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

Kindergarten The GOALS of the School are; to up‑ hold the Chandler tradition of academic excellence and intellectual discipline in a program that develops the mind, body and spirit; to promote respect, trustwor‑ thiness, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, which are the core val‑ ues of our school community; to foster an educational environment that values and communicates respect for racial, religious, cultural and economic differ‑ ences; to serve the greater community, in recognition that as much is given to us, much is expected from us.

As a student at Chandler School, I shall respect myself, other people as individuals, the property of others, my school for what it is and what it stands for.

I am responsible for what I say and do to other people, doing my own work, being loyal to my school and schoolmates, showing good sportsmanship at all times.

I shall always respect and uphold this honor system.

Chandler School is concerned with each child and strives to develop an atmosphere in which children develop self‑esteem, as well as respect for their peers as individu‑ als. Chandler expects high standards of behavior, courtesy and academic perfor‑ mance. Discipline is firm within a relaxed, friendly atmosphere of mutual trust. The standards of behavior, the expec­tations of interpersonal relationships and moral val‑ ues are embodied in the CHANDLER CODE written by students:

GRADE IN WHICH THE 1:1 LAPTOP PROGRAM BEGINS

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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Chandler School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs and athletic and other school-administered programs.

The mission of Chandler School is to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment. We strive to have our students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self‑reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

Chandler School • 1005 Armada Drive • Pasadena, California 91103 • USA • www.chandlerschool.org