Navigating the Chadwick School Admissions Process

Overview

Chadwick School on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, California, is an independent K-12 school. The school has a total student population of around 860 with about 100 faculty to support its students. The average class size for the Village School is 20 and the average for Middle School and Upper School is 16-18. Elementary grades typically have 2 teachers in each classroom but the student-teacher ratio sits at 8:1. These small numbers ensure that each and every student receives the individualized support needed to succeed not just as a student at Chadwick but as an individual. Founded in 1935, the school has been serving its local community with a high-quality education that pushes boundaries. The school’s vision and mission is to transform students through education into world leaders dedicated to the service of others.  

How hard is it to get into Chadwick School? 

Many parents wish to have their children attend the Chadwick School because of its reputation as a top-tier institution. However, the school only opens a very limited number of slots and it is because of this low acceptance rate that admissions is highly competitive. 

The Chadwick School has four major entry points—kindergarten, grade 6, grade 7, and grade 9. The school admits around 40 students into its kindergarten program each year. For grade 6, about 35 new students are admitted. 8 to 15 new students are admitted into grade 7 while 25 to 30 are admitted into grade 9. Applicants into the remaining grade levels are considered based on availability. 

If these numbers scare you, we suggest the help of private school admissions consultants. Their comprehensive understanding of the admissions process will allow them to strategize the ideal plan to make your child stand out as an applicant.  

Chadwick School Application 

The Chadwick School application process begins by submitting an inquiry form and creating an account on Chadwick’s Veracross application portal. Through your account, you will be able to submit application requirements, register for admissions events, and track the general process of your application. Here are the steps you should follow:    

1. Submit the application.
2. Schedule a parent meeting (for Kindergarten and grades 6 to 12)  
3. Complete the Character Skills Snapshot
4. Submit a graded Writing Sample.
5. Undergo Standardized Testing
6. Delegate teacher recommendations.
7. Request a transcript. 

Chadwick School Admissions 

Character Skills Snapshot

Applicants are required to submit their results of the  Character Skills Snapshot which should be uploaded to the application portal. Taken online, the test costs $60 and measures your child’s  preferences, attitudes, and beliefs toward seven character traits: 

1. Intellectual Engagement
2. Open-mindedness
3. Initiative
4. Resilience
5. Self-control
6. Social awareness
7. Teamwork  

The Snapshot allows admissions officers to gauge your child’s potential for success at Chadwick. This is also an opportunity for your child to stand out in the admissions process through the answers that they give. As an at-home assessment, many schools say that there’s no need to prepare but our private school admissions consultants say otherwise. Our team can give you an overview of the test and an initial assessment of your child so that they understand how to best answer the questions.

Graded Writing Sample

Applicants for grades 7 to 12 are required to submit a graded writing sample as part of the application process. The sample must be from the current school year, from any class, and contain comments from a teacher. 

If your child’s current samples are not of a high enough quality, we offer a Program in Writing and Reading (PWR) to elevate writing. Our team of writing tutors works with your child to develop their reading comprehension and ultimately unlock a greater potential for substantial writing. 

Testing

Students applying for grade 6 and above are required to submit standardized test score results. Applicants for grade 6 must submit scores from within the past two years for either the CAASPP or ERB. Applicants for grades 7 and up may submit the CAASP or ERB if taken after August 2021. If not taken, they are required to submit results from either the ISEE or SSAT taken this year. 

Not confident in your child’s ability to ace these tests? Our academic coaches can guide them through a comprehensive test prep program to make sure they’re ready to face even the most challenging math questions out there. 

Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Found on Veracoss are the supporting documents for the letters of recommendation that any applicant for grades 7 and above is required to submit. Only two letters are required, one from a current teacher and one from an administrative official such as a counselor or principal. 

In order to stand out through the admissions process, it’s vital that your child secures strong recommendation letters. As these individuals see your child on a near-daily basis, their testimony will give readers a look into character, personality, and academic aptitude. Admissions officers will read these letters for professional and unbiased opinions that allow them to evaluate your child’s potential and fit in the school community.   

Transcript

Applicants applying for grades 6 and up must submit their transcript of records of the past two academic school years and whatever records they may have so far of the current school year. The supporting documentation such as release and confidentiality forms may be downloaded from Veracross. 

For an outstanding transcript, your child should start private school admissions consulting! Our team of tutors and academic coaches have experience working with young children. By starting young, we can instill executive functioning skills that, alongside with academic coaching, will result in an outstanding academic record. Our tutoring services, provided both online and in-person, also include diagnostic testing to ensure that your child receives the individualized support that they need.  

Chadwick School Alumni

1. Jann Wenner – an American businessman and founder and co-founder of the popular magazine Rolling Stone. 
2. Maureen Reagan – an American political activist and daughter of former United States President, Ronald Reagan.  
3. Liza Minelli – an Academy Award and Emmy-winning actress and singer known for her decades-long career in film and theatre.  
4. Brandon Lee – an American actor, martial artist, and son of Bruce Lee. 
5. Mike Lookinland – an American actor known for his role as Bobby Brady on the sitcom The Brady Brunch. 
6. Pippa Scott – an American actress who has been appearing in film and television since the 1950s. 
7. Susan Berman – an American journalist and author known for writing about her father’s role in organized crime.  
8. Danese Cooper – an American programmer known for her vocal advocacy of open-source software. 
9. Lindsay Davenport – an American former tennis player who was the top-ranked singles world player for 98 weeks. 
10. Christen Press – an American professional soccer player who currently plays for Angel City FC in the NWSL. 

Student Life at Chadwick School

Chadwick believes in offering students a variety of opportunities in order to develop their senses as well-rounded individuals. Students are invited to join in athletics, outdoor education, global education, community service, and the arts! Each of these areas allows students to grow their skills and leadership abilities in social justice endeavors, equity & inclusion, environmental citizenship, social-emotional learning, and more!

Chadwick School Academics

Chadwick School approaches education with a perspective that focuses on guidance and mentorship to ensure that students experience rigor, engagement, and reflection. Students are pushed to challenge themselves by engaging with content critically to understand how to apply their learnings outside of the classroom. The Middle School academic program pushes students to learn by doing to give them a conceptual understanding of lessons. Courses are designed to give students independence and foster curiosity while also laying the foundation for high school. The Upper School academic program builds upon knowledge gained in middle school to prepare students for college. As such, 100% of Chadwick students attend 4-year colleges and boast the highest average AP & SAT scores in the South Bay. 

Chadwick School Athletics

The athletics program at Chadwick teaches its athletes to persevere through challenges and build up resilience while also developing character and skill. The Dolphins are supported by a vast network of coaches and athletic department staff that create a positive learning environment to develop skill, self-esteem, and camaraderie. The school has a variety of sports across different seasons, with numerous teams per sport. They offer baseball, track, equestrian, football, lacrosse, tennis, basketball, soccer, water polo, cross country, swimming, volleyball, softball, golf,  and cheer.

Chadwick School Arts

Chadwick School breaks its arts education down into two kinds: Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The Visual Arts Program at Chadwick is designed with exploration in mind. Students work with passionate artists who teach the technical skills required to pursue self-expression. The Performing Arts Program is broken down into four disciplines: Theater, Dance, Vocal Music, and Instrumental Music. The theater department is acclaimed and gives students the opportunity to create together through the winter and spring musicals. The dance department pushes students’ technical proficiency by having them experience varying genres. The vocal music department gives students the confidence to perform onstage while expanding their vocal prowess. The instrumental music department trains students with the discipline to perform in orchestras during concerts. 

Activities at Chadwick School

Chadwick brings together a vast array of students with unique rich backgrounds into one community. To ensure an inclusive and collaborative environment, students have a variety of opportunities to explore new interests and connect with peers of the same interest. There are student-run clubs such as Spirit Club, Asian Culture Club, Inclusion Committee, and more. Furthermore, there are school organizations such as the Admirals, Mainsheet, Student Council, and more to allow students to be involved in campus life.