Our Campus

Many Chartwell courses utilize the campus and its eco-diversity in their curriculum. A few examples include:

• Students in STEAM courses hike the trails to identify and learn about local fauna and flora
• Critter Cams are set-up throughout the campus to track and identify various species
• Art courses often use our natural environment for plein air painting sessions and inspiration
• Students access the trails for after school mountain biking
• Trail maintenance encourages stewardship and learning about the local watershed

Designed by EHDD, our campus buildings were awarded LEED Platinum Certification when they opened in 2006. Some of the features that are unique to our campus include:

• Large windows and skylights to maximize natural light.
• A 30 Kw photovoltaic system to convert solar energy to electricity. The solar system produces more than 53 million Watt-hours of electricity per year, our electric meter often runs backwards as we furnish power back to the grid!
• Water conservation through state-of-the-art fixtures, water-efficient landscaping, and a cistern that collects rainwater that is used to flush toilets.
• Good indoor air quality protects student health. CO2 sensors adjust natural ventilation as needed.
• A focus on acoustics, classrooms are built to eliminate or greatly reduce mechanical and outside noise, and improve communication.

We are deeply proud of the advances our students make every day. Sitting in carefully designed classrooms, our students become capable, confident learners. We know that their surroundings support their success, and so we are also proud of our award-winning program and green campus. Major awards to date include:

Top 10 Buildings in the World Award, 2009 from the American Institute of Architects

Livable Buildings Award, 2009 from "Center for the Built Environment" at UC Berkeley. 

Certified Green Business, 2008 by the Monterey Green Business Program 

Green Superhero Award  2008 from the United States Green Building Council of Northern California. 

LEED Platinum (highest level), 2007 The United States Green Building Council. 

Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award, 2007 – from the California EPA 

Best Overall Award, 2007 from Flex Your Power

Energy and Sustainability Honor Award (highest level), 2007 from the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter

Innovation Award for Construction Techniques and Materials, 2007 from the California Association of General Contractors. 

Award for Energy Efficiency, 2007 – U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Western Region

 CHPS Certification (highest score to date), 2006 – from California High Performance Schools 

Business of the Year Award, 2006 from the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce