Chandler School

In our very first episode, student host Lucas G. '29 sits down with our Head of School Emily Brown for a fun conversation about school, leadership and what makes Chandler special. Emily answers questions from our students about her journey to Chandler, her favorite parts of school life, the CFA Hot Lunch, and even what she would do if she weren’t a school leader!

Chandler Chats Jr. gives our students the chance to ask the questions, lead the conversation, and get to know the people who make our school community so special.

Emily Brown chats with three current Chandler eighth graders about their outdoor education trips and the ways these experiences have shaped them and their classmates across their educational journeys. Students and alumni regularly rave about the outdoor education program and often cite the experiences they’ve had traveling and exploring nature with their peers as some of their absolute best memories from their time at Chandler. Tune in to this latest episode of the Chandler Chats to hear the heartwarming and authentic storytelling with student guests Kensington S. ‘27, Isabelle D. ’27 and Oliver B. ’27.

On this episode of Chandler Chats, Head of School Emily Brown sits down with long-time teacher Carol Standing, second grade teacher and Employee Mentorship Co-Coordinator Ashley Weideman, and new third grade teaching assistant Yvette Alvarez to explore what makes Chandler’s faculty community so special.

Together, they reflect on the opening days of the 2026–2027 school year, the intentional design of in-service and the mentorship program for new employees, and the ways Chandler honors both its rich legacy and its evolving future.

The conversation also highlights the importance of strong school–home partnerships, offering a warm invitation to families to connect, ask questions and join in building the community that defines Chandler.

On the first day of school, Head of School Emily Brown sat down with Lower School Director Laura Reardon and Middle School Director Mateo Reyes to reflect on the excitement surrounding Chandler’s opening days and share what is on the school leadership team’s mind as the 2026–2027 year begins.

Together, they discuss employee in-service week, Chandler’s commitment to building a relational culture, the School’s ongoing exploration of artificial intelligence and the importance of a healthy school-home partnership.

Tune in to hear how Chandler’s leaders plan to keep the opening-day magic alive and help the entire community thrive throughout the year.

Head of School Emily Brown sits down with CFA leaders Amy Wang and Chris Willis to share how every Chandler parent can find a meaningful place in our community. From cultural recognition programs and community learning to the Book Fair, Family Fair and parent socials, there are many ways to connect and volunteer opportunities to fit every schedule.

Tune in to hear what’s ahead for the 2026–2027 school year and learn how you can get involved.

This special episode of Chandler Chats brings our story full circle as we wrap our 75th Anniversary festivities. Head of School Emily Brown sits down with Toby Harder ’59 and Jay Harder ’96, a father and son duo whose shared Chandler experience spans generations.

Together, they reflect on what it was like to be a student in two very different eras—from Toby’s days in the very first campus in Altadena to Jay’s memories of the 90s campus and the teachers who shaped his journey. Their stories are filled with humor, nostalgia and heartfelt appreciation for the people who made Chandler feel like home. More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that while campuses may change, the relationships at the heart of Chandler endure.

In this special episode of Chandler Chats, Head of School Emily Brown sits down with Jeff Stephens, Chandler’s third Head of School, as part of our 75th anniversary celebration. Serving from 1979 to 2001, Jeff reflects on more than two decades of leadership and the people, traditions and values that helped shape Chandler into the school we know today.

From his early days as a headmaster in San Francisco to his time guiding Chandler through years of growth, Jeff shares stories of a deeply committed faculty, supportive parents and a caring, connected community. He also shares heartfelt memories of Chandler’s founders, Tom and Catherine Chandler.

This conversation is a look back at Chandler’s history and a reminder that the strength of our community has always been rooted in the relationships we build and the values we carry forward.

We’re excited to share the latest episode of Chandler Chats with Emily Brown, featuring special guest Dave Edwards, founder of Gender Inclusive Schools, alongside our own Hilary Blunt, Director of Belonging and Strategic Engagement.

Many of our families may remember Dave’s visit to campus in March of 2026, where he led a Learning Together Community Education session and worked closely with our faculty in professional development. In this conversation, Dave and Hilary join Emily to continue that important dialogue, exploring how schools and families can work together to create environments where every child and every family feels seen, respected and valued.

Together, they discuss Chandler’s ongoing work toward gender inclusivity, the importance of accurate and affirming language, and how partnerships, both within our community and with organizations like Welcoming Schools, help strengthen a culture of belonging. The episode also highlights the role we all play, as educators and caregivers, in fostering understanding, empathy and connection. We hope you’ll take a few moments to listen and reflect alongside us.

In this episode of Chandler Chats, Head of School Emily Brown sits down with two cherished members of our faculty, Mr. Donny Kincey and Mr. Robert Calderon, known to generations of students as Mr. Donny and Mr. Cal. Both were recently honored with Faculty Awards: Mr. Cal received The Durairaj Family Endowed Faculty Award in Memory of Mr. Vernon L. Hill, and Mr. Donny was awarded the Max & Vivian Yang Endowed Faculty Award. 

Together, they talk about what it means to truly connect with students, balancing warmth with clear expectations, building trust and creating an environment where students feel both supported and challenged. They also reflect on the many unique opportunities that make Chandler special, from hands-on learning experiences to student-led initiatives that make our community unique.

In this episode of Chandler Chats, Emily Brown sits down with Director of Athletics Bill Anderson and Spanish Department Chair (and multi-sport coach) Oscar Lugo for a dynamic conversation about the heart behind Chandler athletics. From Run Club mornings to the Paul Korn Invitational, and the Five-Sport Award to our upcoming Sports-A-Thon, we explore how athletics at Chandler is about so much more than competition. It’s about commitment, character, teamwork and the confidence students build when they challenge themselves across seasons. This conversation offers a meaningful look at how Chandler’s athletic program helps students grow on the field, on the track and far beyond.