Skip To Main Content

Explore More

Home

Student looking at mountains through binoculars while on a hike
Group of 8 middle school students running onto a field with a Bulldog mascot beside them
High school student and teacher work on a painting of a sunflower
Group of 5 high school students standing in the ocean smiling next to surfboards
Aerial photo of Chartwell's campus and soccer field
Photo of Class of 2025 in their green caps and gowns
Student looking up at the camera smiling while completing a worksheet
Three students in purple shirts sitting on a basketball court smiling and looking at the camera

Welcome to Chartwell

Our Mission

Chartwell empowers students with dyslexia and associated learning differences to unlock their full potential. We provide a college preparatory, strength-based program that gives students the skills, strategies, tools and mindset needed to become successful lifelong learners. We share our expertise through partnerships and outreach initiatives to transform education. 

Learn More About the School:

At a Glance

For 40 years, Chartwell School has taught children to read well and reach their individual potential. Committed to being a mission with a school rather than a school with a mission, our work expands beyond our campus boundaries.

4:1 Student to Teacher Ratio

Small class sizes support individualized learning

Classes are 10 Students or Less

Every student at Chartwell is seen and known

$1.4 Awarded in Financial Aid

Nearly 40% of Chartwell families receive tuition assistance

100% College Acceptance Rate

Over 80 acceptances and $4 million in scholarships offered to 2024 graduating class

1:1 College Counseling

Every senior takes a year long college readiness course

60-Acre Campus

Platinum LEED Certified campus includes two miles of hiking and biking trails and views of the Monterey Bay

1:1 Engineering Kits per Student

Comprehensive STEAM program spans Grades 1-12

Free Community Workshops Annually

Chartwell offers free, public workshops to share neurodiversity insights

Chartwell News

Nicki McMahan with Finn, the winner of the 2026 McMahan Award
Honoring the Spirit and Heart of Chartwell

Behind every great school community are the people who lift it up. Today, we are shining a well-deserved spotlight on our recent award winners—individuals who exemplify Chartwell’s core values of respect, responsibility, empathy, and inclusion.

Honoring a Lifetime of Leadership: Mick McMahan's 43-Year Tenure
Honoring a Lifetime of Leadership: Mick McMahan's 43-Year Tenure

For forty-three years, Mick McMahan has been the quiet force, analytical mind, and fierce heart behind Chartwell’s incredible journey from a bold idea into a thriving reality. As he officially graduates from the board, discover the deeply personal, behind-the-scenes story of a leader whose enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come.

Students and their teacher at the Lightbulb Marketplace
Lower School Lightbulb Project Raises $986 for SPCA

This year’s Lightbulb Project once again transformed the Lower Division into a vibrant community of student-led innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship — all centered around the driving question: What can you make to help people better understand energy

Photo of members of the board of directors and the head of school at the spring fundraising event
Thrive & Shine: An Evening of Pop & Possibilities Breaks Records and Deepens Impact

Chartwell School’s Thrive & Shine: An Evening of Pop & Possibilities on Saturday, April 25, at the Portola Hotel and Spa was a truly special night. With more than 170 guests in attendance, the evening raised over $375,000 in gross revenue through the live auction, silent auction, Fund-a-Program, and opportunity drawing—making it the highest-grossing fundraising event in Chartwell’s history.

Students engaging in a science lab on the beach with their teacher
Finishing Strong with Ocean Guardian and Outdoor Education

Discover how our campus community transformed into empowered Ocean Guardians this year through hands-on waste reduction initiatives, beach cleanups, and a culture-shifting partnership with ReGen Monterey. Read on to celebrate our students' achievements and catch a sneak peek at the exciting future of our Outdoor Education program!

Track and field team photo
Chartwell High School's Track and Field Team Redefines Commitment and Teamwork

This year, Chartwell High School’s Track and Field program transitioned from a startup team to a disciplined athletic program under the guidance of Coach Joseph Aleru. Through specialized clinics in running mechanics and a consistency-focused preseason, the team is making its mark as new members of the CIF-CCS league.

Photo of a bulletin board displaying student art
Cultivating Voice and Belonging Through Art

From the first spark of curiosity in lower school to the formation of a confident identity in high school, Chartwell’s art program is a safe place where neurodiverse learners can feel profoundly seen and understood.

School Calendar

View All Events

There are no events to display