Chatham Hall is a center of learning—a world of ideas—that can help take you as far as you want to go. Our challenging curriculum and small class sizes help you launch your own quest for knowledge even as you prepare for your college career.
From the desk of Academic Dean, Martha Griswold
Click here to read Dean Griswold's academic blogA visit to classes at Chatham Hall would impress you with the sophistication of thought and a variety of learning techniques. At this top private school, you would see students portray notable figures of the Enlightenment as they argue over commerce, economics and women’s rights in
AP European History. You will see art history students (detectives!) attempt to identify works of art drawing upon knowledge of art, history, politics, and science that they have amassed in this class and in others. You will listen to ninth graders make sense of explorers and how their travels changed the world. In English classes, you can witness one-on-one student-teacher writing conferences. Foreign language students use their target language to solve puzzles and complete a challenge presented by their AP teacher. A visit to a physics class might find you in an elevator testing for weight changes during acceleration – combining scientific theory and algebraic equations.
In every circumstance at this top private school, students are solving a problem. Teachers at Chatham Hall encourage students to think, question, ponder, and to use these skills to come to conclusions. Students do this out loud in class. They do this at night as they prepare for classes the next day - generating their own ideas - knowing their opinions will be valued by classmates and teachers. They do it at the lunch table and while listening to visiting lecturers. Thinking, wondering, and producing – skills that are highly esteemed and necessary in today’s world – and skills that Chatham Hall students put to use all the time.
The students and faculty of our top private school value the strength of the academic curriculum. Teachers appreciate having the freedom to teach in ways that encourage creativity and resourcefulness. Students know that when they walk into a classroom, they will be asked to use their minds to reason and react. The questions and tasks are not easy – the standards are set high because of a belief in girls’ ability to push themselves to work outside their comfort zone, and to explore new ideas in a safe environment where girls’ voices are heard and deeply respected.
Chatham Hall is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
- A member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and in compliance with the NACAC’s Principle of Good Practice.
