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Our History
Over two decades ago, the federal government commissioned a major study of literacy and education in America. The resulting report, A Nation at Risk, painted a sobering picture. A record number of high school seniors were functionally illiterate, and mainstream education was doing an increasingly unsatisfactory job of addressing the issue.
At the same time, two women, discouraged by the failure of schools to cope with the learning needs of their own and other children, decided to take action. They founded Chartwell School in 1983. It has been said that they lit a candle, and the resulting flame has grown very bright for the hundreds of children lucky enough to have found Chartwell.
Our Mission
Unlike the acquisition of language, the ability to read is not innate. It must be learned. For at least one in every seven people, reading is made especially challenging by the fact that their brain processes visual and auditory information in a different way than their peers. Learning variations, including dyslexia, are unrelated to intelligence or gender. They appear to have a genetic component, and they do not disappear over time. With proper understanding and specialized education, learning variations do not limit potential or success -- Winston Churchill is just one of a thousand examples of accomplished people who faced learning challenges.
The mission of Chartwell School is to diagnostically educate students with specific learning variations in a way that provides them with the academic skills, confidence, creativity and perseverance necessary to meet the challenges of mainstream education and lifelong learning. Chartwell also helps individuals of all ages access their full potential by providing leading-edge education, professional development, community programs and partnerships.
What We Believe
Our philosophy is to educate each child as a unique and valuable individual. Our educational evaluations focus on finding effective, tailored learning avenues. We identify and develop areas of aptitude and strength as we address learning challenges, with the emphasis on each student rediscovering a sense of self-worth. We present project-based content and learning opportunities that are intellectually stimulating, while giving equal attention to learning skills and character development. We empower each student to effectively recognize and compensate for his or her specific learning variation. Our faculty helps students use all their senses and all their strengths in a well-structured learning environment. Students are not simply encouraged but fully expected to become active, responsible learners.
What We Do
Chartwell School provides a full academic program in a highly structured learning environment, utilizing multi-sensory teaching. This approach is used consistently in all classes. The course of study includes all areas of language instruction, mathematics, social studies, physical education, and an array of enrichment activities supervised by professional staff.
Chartwell provides a unified approach to language instruction, which is essential to students' academic success. Reading, writing, and communication skills are treated with equal importance whether in English, science, or humanities classes. Toward this end, each Chartwell teacher receives additional language training in a structured phonetic/linguistics program so that instruction is consistent across the full curriculum.
Students attend six classes each day, two of which focus exclusively on improving reading, spelling and written composition skills. Language training and language arts are sequenced during consecutive periods with the same teacher. Decoding and spelling skills learned in language training are then applied through writing assignments and reading programs. Additionally, students attend a humanities and a math class each day and alternate computer, science, art and physical education classes for the remaining two classes per day. At Chartwell, students are encouraged to discover and nurture their talents in the visual arts, science, technology, sports, music and drama.
All students also study oral language and practice listening skills. Supplemental services are offered by a certified speech and language therapist for those students requiring additional work in receptive and expressive language development. While helping the student overcome academic difficulties, programs at Chartwell actively teach self-reliance and respect for others. Guidance and information workshops for parents foster understanding and offer ways to assist children with learning challenges. Students preparing to return to the mainstream education participate in a formal transitioning program in their last semester, which includes skills for effective self-advocacy.
Our Faculty
The Chartwell faculty specializes in language development and linguistic structures related to reading, writing, mathematics and all other disciplines. Most hold advanced degrees. Faculty also includes a physical education instructor, two speech and language therapists and an occupational therapist. The faculty values problem-solving, diagnostic instruction, character development and home communication as essential elements for student success.
Summer Programs
Incoming students attend a four-week Core Summer Assessment Program which allows them to become familiar with the school and gives teachers an opportunity to observe how each student responds to Chartwell's unique educational program. Our Core Summer Program is available to students who are currently enrolled at Chartwell, to new students interested in fall enrollment, and to students in the community who will benefit from this type of summer program.
Our Summer Extension Program offers a variety of classes designed to enhance the skills of students seeking academic improvement. These programs provide opportunities for students in elementary, middle and high school to apply methods and skills for improved academic success. Course topics include Study Skills and Reading Comprehension, Preparing for High School Math, Computer Based Study Strategies and Strengthening Social Skills. We also offer a Teacher Training Institute for teachers, tutors, administrators and parents to learn more about teaching children with learning variations.
Admissions, Tuition and Financial Aid
Chartwell School's admissions policy is non-discriminatory with regard to race, creed, sex, color, sexual orientation or national origin. We are a co-educational, non-residential school that currently enrolls students in elementary and middle school. (For information on The New High School Project, please click here.) Chartwell students are formally diagnosed with specific learning challenges that have proven responsive to the type of instruction we provide. They have average or higher intelligence, as identified by standardized testing, and have no primary emotional or behavioral issues that would preclude them from constructively engaging the academic program.
Students stay at Chartwell School only long enough to gain the skills and confidence needed to be successful in a more conventional classroom setting. The typical stay at Chartwell is from two to four years. Some students need less intervention and some benefit by staying longer.
Need-based financial aid is available for qualifying families. It is also important to understand that every student enrolled at Chartwell receives some financial assistance, in that Chartwell's tuition covers just 95% of the actual expense for educating one child for 10 months. Fundraising makes up a deficit for every child enrolled.
With planning, Chartwell may be more affordable than you think. We understand that many families have not included Chartwell's tuition in their long-term financial planning. It is very common that families are faced with reevaluating and rearranging existing plans and processes they have in place. In cases where special need is demonstrated, more than $650,000 in financial aid has been awarded for this year. Please contact us for ideas on how you can bring the benefits of Chartwell to your child.
The Next Step Is Yours
One by one, Chartwell School helps children with learning challenges, reach their full potential. We can do the same for your child. Please contact us:
Chartwell School
Douglas Atkins, Ed.M., Executive Director
Nora Lee, M.Ed., Head of School
(831) 394-3468
information@chartwell.org
2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside, California 93955
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