Chandler School

Our kids were "lifers". They are doing very well in high school. We wanted and got a strong academic program together with a dedicated arts curriculm. The work load was always manageable for bright, organized kids. Middle school was competitive. It is not reasonable to gig Chandler for mercurial high school admission departments - especially Poly which just is not going to admit all the highly-qualified Asian kids that apply. But as a rule, Chandler middle-schoolers are admitted to well regarded high school programs and likewise transition very well.
--Submitted by a parent

I disagree with the prev post, why do we look at middle schools as the ones that will ensure gateway to getting to the 1st choice high school? Isn't learning life skills, time management, having a good personality and being able to take the challenges of a high school education and college and a good citizen not equally important? Some of the most successful friends around me did not attend 'name' schools but learnt and mastered the few things i mentioned earlier.It's time parents stop having such a myopic viewpoint. I like the workload and the way Chandler Middle school functions..the homework is n't a great deal as some of the parents make..I have consistently timed my 6th grader. There are a few numbered days when he has to work until 11 in the night but mostly is is 2 to 2.5 hrs which should be expected of a middle schooler.
--Submitted by a parent

Chandler has lost its influence with high schools. There are many 2010 graduates that were rejected from their first choice school. There is no reason to subject your student and family to the torments of a Chandler education. (You can expect your middle schools student to spend 4-6 hours a night including many hours on the weekend on homework.) Let your student have a childhood at another school - the high school placement will most certainly be the same.
--Submitted by a parent

My child entered Chandler as a sixth grader and we couldn't be happier: the transition from public to private has been essentially painless, the administrators are top notch, the teachers are wonderful, and the children have been kind and welcoming. First, I will say that the my child has been challenged by the homework/study load, but coming from public school, we knew that was a given. All in all, the workload is rigorous, but so far it's been manageable. The children are encouraged to be independent and 'helicopter' parents are discouraged. Second, the staff and administrators have been both gracious and kind. Rules for behavior are strict, as is the dress code, and students appear to take these rules very seriously. I will add that discipline, however, does not seem heavy handed. Teachers and adminst.'s are professional but playful and good-natured, and consequently, my child looks forward to each day.
--Submitted by a parent

Phenominal is the word. Top noch academics right from lower school until middle school. Be prepared for marathon of homework, but in the end your kid not only comes out super prepared to tackle the challenges of high school but has learnt time management skills, enhanced his personality with the many many activities , sports, music that the kid gets exposed to. The skills that are so important for much of their lives starting in high schools. And to tell you a fact..Pasadena area independent high school are in love with Chandler kids.. see the placememt results for the past so many years and you get the idea. My son is graduating this year and I am super pleased.
--Submitted by a parent

I like Chandler (student-7th). It's not the perfect school, but it is the school for academics and for the future. The teachers match their studies to the other teachers and work together for a better learning experiance. For example, my history teacher and English teacher both work together, matching the scheduals to avoid over-working my classmates and myself. Last year, our history class, English class, and computer class put together a project (individual students) for a total result. We made an essay type report and a slideshow to present to our class. I, as a student, highly recommend Chandler to new-coming parents.
--Submitted by a student

My son has been at Chandler from K-2 and I have mixed feelings about it. His teachers have been excellent at teaching; they are attentive and nurturing. The school is academically demanding in terms of quantity of work and prepares students for marathons of homework. However, it seems to lack emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Furthermore, the school culture strongly favors families with stay-at-home moms and country club memberships.
--Submitted by a parent

Two of my kids have graduated, one is in middle school and one is still in elementary school. Overall, a superb school. Academics are the primary focus, the reputation for a lot of work is very deserved. Some speak of lack of nurturing: strongly disagree. My kids received such love and support from the staff, faculty and admin that I can't put it into words. My kids ran the gamut from over to under achievers, and all had a good experience. The under achiever needed help and he got it, unstintingly. Problems? Some, just like any place: too much homework, they could cut it by 20%; some snooty parents and kids? Yeah. Overall, your kid will come out super prepared. Faculty is generally excellent and very caring. Some real winners among the teachers (huzzah Ashley Paine). Head master is very good, moving in right direction.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall the school is good. I wouldn't say great. I feel a lot of improvement needs to be done. There is a lot of 'lip service' paid by the lower school administrator, and she also plays favorites. She inserts herself into every tiny issue and escalets it which is entirely unnecessary. I feel the teachers are good, but restrained. The teachers are not given the freedom to move the kids along if the kids are ready to move ahead in a subject. The administrator seems to 'dumb down' some subjects as math, social studies which is frustrating. My child will move over to the upper school next year which I'm looking forward to. For the most part Chandler is good and could be great if teachers ideas and talents were utilized properly. More advanced classes are needed. Great parent involvement needs more extracurricular activities.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Chandler since Kindergarten. The school is very good for K, 1 and 2 but from then on it becomes academic bootcamp. The curriculum is characterized by quantity, not quality. Children spend hours doing homework starting in third grade and tests are too frequent. There is virtually no extra help offered, so you need to hire tutors if your child is not the kind that can read a text once and have a photographic memory for details. This school is challenging (its reputation), but it is also ruthless in how it treats children. Teacher quality is very spotty. Don't believe the current, new mission statement that says the school is nurturing. This is especially not true of the middle school. Unless you want no family life and are prepared to have your child doing homework every night,weekend and school holiday, this is not the school for you.
--Submitted by a parent