Academics / Curriculum
In the Village School, a high value is placed on the core academic subjects — the foundational knowledge that all students need.
Skills are taught in an experience-based environment that shows students a healthy way to try, fail and then try again. For example, we show students how reading and writing relate to math and social studies and vice versa.
These are valuable skills for life, which is why the skills outlined below begin in kindergarten and continue throughout the Village School into 12th grade.
We know where we’re going, how to get there and why we’re going in the first place.
View the Village School Curriculum Guide
Literacy
Chadwick students don’t just learn to read and write — they learn to interact with language. Their daily reading instruction is personalized to help improve comprehension. They’re shown how to craft their own original pieces and how to integrate individual feedback. Instead of simply memorizing spelling, grammar or phonics rules, they learn to spot patterns and understand proper structure. Students are also taught how to present, discuss, collaborate and actively listen so they can grow as respectful, articulate members of a larger learning community.
Mathematics
Math is a daily journey of exploration, reasoning and meaningful connection. Through the research-based "Math in Focus" curriculum, students experience a purposeful progression from hands-on, concrete experiences, to visual models and ultimately to abstract representations. They move from the tangible to the symbolic, developing into confident, flexible mathematicians who understand the concepts as well as the “why” behind them.
Social Studies
Understanding the big picture from multiple perspectives brings relevance to everyday learning. That’s why our social studies program is so important to Village School students. Through history, geography, identity and civic life, they’re introduced to the great, big, wide world. Students receive the knowledge, critical thinking skills and empathetic mindset needed to become informed and compassionate global citizens who make an impact on their communities.
Specialists
Core academic subjects are core for a reason, but whole-child development means going further. Students in Village School engage in a variety of specialist subjects multiple times a week, including STEM, music, art, Spanish, library and physical education. This helps create multi-dimensional students, who are exposed to a broad array of subjects and experiences early in their education. Each subject is taught by an enthusiastic, expert educator who uses their passion and talents to open new doors for our students — whether that’s playing the violin, learning to code or discovering ocean science.
