Chandler School

1005 Armada Drive

Pasadena, CA 91103

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on May 04, 2024

My expirence has been wonderful at Chandler. I started in middle school, and they have a wonderful summer program for all of the new middle schoolers, were they have half days of the bridge program were they connect with teachers and other new students, so that when they start in the Fall they have already made so many great connections. Let me tell you this really does make being one of the "new kids" SO much easier. This school is defently a challenging enviornment, but the teachers really care and will help you if you advocate for it (they also teach you to advocate for yourself). This is the perfect school for High school to college prep, I have learned skills I will keep with me for the rest of my life. In the middle school they have an incredible resource specialist, Mr. Nan, who works with not only kids with acommidations (Chandler is great with neurodiverse acommidations) but anyone who needs help organizing, study tips, or HW help, he will help. And so will any teacher really adding to the amazingness of the school. The school never outwordly says this, but it is true in the very best ways possible, Chandler is a traditional style education, but still a progressive school, in the prefect mix. They have an excellent DEI program, students learn about different cultures and heritages. At all-school assemblies there is often cultural dancers and presentations that come to preform and educate us outside of the classroom. They are many kids here with financial aid, as well as those that pay full tuition, socioeconomic diversity is getting better. Race and ethnicity diversity (and education on it) is very prominant and supportive and accepting of all. The statistics some of these school review sites have, are also outdated chandler has the most accurate data done by them on their website under ABOUT and Students we serve section. There are PE classes daily for all grades, sport tournaments in 6th grade, and in 7-8th grades there are A and B sports teams that play other schools, as well as inturmural teams open to all "C team". Chandler is a K-8, but that is one of it's best things, there is no influence of the middle and lower schools by seeing the 9-12 graders in the same school, you can really see how much more themselves K-8 kids are than K-12 kids. I have learned SO much here, especially in the sciences and math programs which are the best in the area, the amazing teachers, who care, challenge and are commited to students daily. GO CHANDLER!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2024

My son was happier after he left Chandler School.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2019

Extremely positive. The program is of the highest quality in every area.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2016

I have 3 children - 2 were Chandler lifers (attended K - 8) and my youngest will be entering 7th grade in the fall (and has been there since kindergarten). When I applied my oldest to Chandler, I knew it would be a perfect fit for him. He was the type of kid who needed a lot of structure and to be challenged academically in order to be engaged. As expected, he loved the school, the teachers, administration and the program. When it was time to send my 2nd son to Chandler, I wasn't positive the fit would be right for him - he's so different from his brother, more of a free spirit. He not only thrived at Chandler, he excelled in unexpected ways. I have to give a shout out to Mr. Calderon, the 7th grade science teacher, who inspired a love of science in my son which has continued to high school. He even plans to major in science in college thanks to Mr. Cal. My youngest, again very different from her brothers, is also having an incredible experience. Chandler offers a broad range of academic opportunities - the best Spanish program in the area, inspiring science teachers, an early adopter of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) projects and theater productions that rival those put on by high schools. My children have learned to work collaboratively, think independently and my older 2 were more than well prepared for high school. Speaking of which, Anneke Emerson, Assistant Head of School, is a genius at high school placement. She really gets to know the students and their strengths and does her very best to match them up with the high school where they will flourish. The only parents who are disappointed with their children's high school placement coming out of Chandler had unrealistic expectations about where their child belonged. John Finch, Head of School, is above all else, an educator to his core. His own love of learning informs all decisions made at school. He is thoughtful, kind and caring - an all around great leader. If not yet apparent, I think Chandler is a phenomenal school, and I feel fortunate that my children have had such a positive elementary school experience.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2016

Unpleasant environment with useless administration. Many bad teachers overshadow the fewer good ones. Community of obnoxious parents with their mean kids. 5 out of 5 for Music and Theater. 2 out of 5 for Math. 5 out of 5 for Spanish. 3 out of 5 for English. 3 out of 5 for Science. 4 out of 5 for Art. Save your money and send your child to a more pleasant place that will do better job of high school placement.
Submitted by student on April 13, 2016

I went to Chandler for 7th and 8th grade, and I have to admit I did learn a lot. However, the amount of stress I experienced daily was immense. I would get stomach cramps because of this stress. I know I'm not the only one to experienced immense amounts of stress due to school. In 7th grade, the teachers would make it so there would not be too much homework on one night. However in 8th grade, it's VERY different, and the homework load is a lot worse, which of course is expected to prepare us for high school. A few things I actually liked about Chandler was the community and the electives.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

I graduated from Chandler in the 80's and have only wonderful things to say about my experiences there. Not long ago I attended a reunion and was able to catch up with most of my classmates. They have gone on to do amazing things in life! Many of them have successful and fulfilling careers as doctors, authors, musicians, scientists, educators, artists, and business leaders. My son currently attends Chandler and he loves it. The core values that I experienced as a student are still intact. The campus and facilities are integrated with the latest technologies and are practically brand new. Plus, the teachers, principal, and staff are fantastic! Classes in the middle school are small, around 15 kids per class. We are very fortunate to be a part of this school!
Submitted by other on October 09, 2014

I attended this school for 6th-8th grades in the late 90s and I continue to benefit from my experiences at Chandler. In fact, my wife was a classmate there, and we have more than a handful of close friends who we keep in excellent touch with almost 20 years later. The best education I received, the best friends I've made, the most fun I had in school. Period.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2014

We have had 2 lifers that went through the Chandler School,with the youngest one in its Middle School right now and have loved and appreciated what Chandler has done to prepare our kids for high school and college . We are perplexed with a recent parent review attacking the head of Middle School and her failure to "place 4.0 students" into high school. This past June, Chandler graduated its largest class ever of 77 students. While less than a handful of students that were not placed and some maybe 4.0 students, to state that Mrs. Emerson is "useless" is harsh and unfounded. There are no guaranties that a student will be placed in any school based purely on grades. Mrs. Emerson's job is to advise students and parents to keep an open mind and apply to schools that is suited for the child. The fault should not be placed on her, if families insist on applying only to the top schools and refuse to take her recommendation on other schools. Having only being in the position for 2 years, Mrs. Emerson is doing a good job and should be commended. Chandler is not a school for every child or family and it may not be the perfect school, but it is one of the best in the area!
Submitted by teacher on July 29, 2014

Chandler School is an outstanding environment for students and adults alike. The community is warm, the students are bright and engaged, and the campus is beautiful. Chandler teachers are responsive to students and their parents, and are constantly seeking new ways to engage students and build within them a love for learning. The alumni body is a group of successful people of high character who benefited from the rigor of Chandler's program. Visit the school and learn about the program. Chandler is more than just a vessel for high school placement, it is a transformative experience for students, teachers, and parents.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2014

Chandler's curriculum is not difficult, but there is a lot of work. They value quantity over quality. The school does not teach children to be critical thinkers. There is way too much "teaching" through fill-in-the-blank apps and rote memorization exercises. The teachers and staff are good, but they are not allowed to truly teach the children. This is not the fault of the teachers or administration. I blame the over-demanding parents and the self-proclaimed tiger moms. It is a very unhealthy environment, especially in the upper school. There are high numbers of stressed out and depressed kids because of this. I found the upper school head completely useless, She failed to place 4.0 students. I still don't understand what she is doing there. She definitely brings the standards down. All in all I had a very disappointing experience at Chandler. The kids are kind and the teachers are talented. I just wish they were allowed to teach these gifted children.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

The BEST K-8 school if your child is cut out for the academic rigor. The teachers are excellent and caring. The school strives for character building which includes moral development, community service as well as acceptance of all diversity. My kids were lifers and the level of work progresses each year, in preparation for middle school. Middle school is challenging and your child must have good time management skills if they are involved in many activities. Overall, my kids loved the school and we highly recommend it if your child is a good fit. The people who are writing negative reviews most likely have children that would benefit from another school. Instead of writing negative reviews they should respect Chandler and realize they applied their kids to the wrong school for their child. There are so many good schools in the area in which a child can thrive.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2014

My children have thrived at Chandler since Kindergarten. We find the curriculum innovative, challenging and well-rounded. The teachers are passionate and knowledgeable. The community - students and parents alike - are welcoming and extremely helpful. My children loved the LS immersive learning including Dr. Seuss Week in K, World Geography field trips in 3rd, and the Boston Tea Party reenactment in 5th grade! In MS, the curriculum is rigorous, structured around core subjects of English, Math, History, Spanish and Science. It is amazing when I see an entire class conversing in Spanish, and see children engaged in games that make learning grammar fun! Chandler also has a very strong performance arts program, and the MS musicals and plays match what you see in High School. The PE program is exceptional with the usual sports (soccer, basketball, track) but also unicycle, rollerblading, and lacrosse. Chandler also emphasizes Character Education. I was impressed when I visited a classroom years ago and saw a teacher lead a discussion on the Golden Rule. 8 years later, I remain pleased when I read the homework sheet summarizing the Pillar of the week.
Submitted by other on December 16, 2013

As an alum and now a parent, I can think of no better place for my children to get an education than Chandler. Chandler School has the challenging academics, the fantastic teachers, the amazing campus and an administration that is truly focused on improving the lives of each of our children. The Chandler community is warm, welcoming and kind. As a volunteer, there are many opportunities to be involved in school. The Afterschool program is well managed, educational and engaging. Did I mention the sports program? When would you ever get to try everything from roller blades and skateboards to field hockey and unicycles? Chandler's S.T.E.A.M. programs combine all the different parts of the curriculum into single projects that teach the interrelatedness of the real world. At the last Alumni Visiting Day, they put together a panel of 9 incredible Alumni from 1999. These incredible young men and women shared individual and unique journeys, but they were unified by the feeling that Chandler had prepared them for high school, college and life. They were inspirational. We couldn't be happier at Chandler.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2013

Chandler provides the best K-8 education in Pasadena, hands down. The faculty is truly and consistently exceptional compared to their peers at other schools. The headmaster and the heads of the Lower School and the Middle School are the best trifecta of administrators you will find anywhere. Working together, the administrators and faculty are constantly innovating at a dizzying speed. The result is a school that has no equal in terms of its high-technology environment and integrated curriculum. Some of the Middle School classes even have the feel of college-level seminars. Entering high school, Chandler grads are way ahead of the curve and tend to finish at the top of their class. Given Chandler's rigorous and challenging curriculum, bright, motivated students do best. Chandler is not an ideal place for students who struggle academically. The facilities are first-rate, with a beautiful, brand new Middle School building and a fairly new Lower School building. The community of families is warm and tight-knit. If your child is a high achiever, do yourself a favor: take a tour, talk to teachers and students, and then talk to John Finch (the headmaster). You won't regret it.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

Chandler fits all the old (and bad) stereotypes of country club private school education. An inane amount of busy work with little appreciation or support for creative thinking. In hindsight, it was a big mistake for us to send our children to Chandler. They emerged from the Chandler ivory tower experience feeling bitter and depressed about themselves and education (although they did well academically). They were constantly sleep deprived and stressed. We spent a fortune on their education and did them a disservice. They know an amazing amount of "facts" without depth of experience. We should have sent our children to public school.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2011

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 parent on March 09, 2010

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 parent on March 07, 2010

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.