This year, Chadwick students have been blessed with not one, not two, but four brand-new cocurriculars to spark curiosity and creativity.
From sharpening financial savvy to pitching bold ideas in Dolphin Tank, the opportunities feel endless.
With the musical magic of Wavelength and the mentorship- driven Big Sibs program, it’s clear that this year’s lineup is all about variety and passion.
Chadwick students have the
opportunity to enhance their financial knowledge in Personal Finance with Dan Nord, director of the Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship program, a hands-on co-curricular program designed to prepare students for the real world.
Far beyond basic theory, the course delves into budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and financial decision-making, emphasizing practical skills that students can apply immediately.
Participants will take on engaging projects, such as the Budget Challenge, where they create and manage a mock monthly budget to practice balancing income, expenses, and savings.
In the Personal Finance’s Stock Market Simulation, students research companies, trade virtual stocks, and track performance over time, learning how investment decisions impact financial growth.
Another standout activity is designing a personal life-planning spreadsheet, modeled after Nord’s own tool, to map out long-term financial goals from high school into adulthood.
Another exciting opportunity in the financial sector this year is the Dolphin Tank program. Led by Upper School History and Social Sciences teacher Ivan Cestero, Dolphin Tank provides students with the chance to pitch creative business and investment ideas in a supportive environment.
Modeled after the popular Shark Tank, Dolphin Tank encourages innovation, teamwork, and financial literacy, but with a greater emphasis on constructive feedback and collaboration rather than competition.
Ready to dive into the world of hitting all the right notes? Wavelength, led by Associate Director of Admissions David Bloom, is a co-curricular activity that others flexible opportunities through creating niche musical performances.
“We’re creating moments where individuals find their own voice and discover the collective energy as a group,” said Bloom.
Wavelength will be hosting three official events this year.
The first one will be on Dec. 6, called Wavelength unplugged, inspired by MTV unplugged, which will offer a cozy, coffeehouse vibe.
Secondly, on Apr. 25, the Wavelength Music Festival will provide an outdoor celebration with diverse musical genres.
Lastly, there will be the Wavelength Family Jam on June 7. This last performance will be an opportunity for the Chadwick community to honor the graduating class and have one last traditional bonding opportunity.
Additionally, they will be performing at Friday Social and many other events when the chance arises. Unlike traditional ensembles like a chorus or orchestra, Wavelength thrives on improvisation and flexibility.
“The plan is to have a space where there are no bounds for content,” Bloom explained.
Students and guest stars, including faculty and staff, will be able to collaborate and share their voices. Leading the Jubilee Singers at Chadwick from 2017 to 2021 showed Bloom how music can unite a community, which inspired
him to start Wavelength.
Laughter, learning, and leadership are fostered in the Village classrooms every week as Big Sibs take on the opportunity to mentor younger students.
Originally created by Scarlet Kim ’25, the program was designed to bridge the gap between Upper School students and the Village.
This year, Niki Ferdows ’26 and Daniela Morales ’26 continue this co-curricular, while Upper School Learning Specialist Sara Mactavish oversees the group.
Each Upper School “big sib” is paired with a Village student to spend time playing, learning, and simply talking to them. These interactions make the younger students feel seen and valued, knowing that they belong here.
“I am so excited to see how
this year’s Big Sibs connect with
the Village students. There is such a variety of interests and backgrounds in the group,” said Mactavish. “They have the ability to make a really positive impact on a lot of kids.” Quickly, Big Sibs has developed into a schoolwide initiative.
As the Big-Sibs program grows, it continues to strengthen relationships, build confidence, and create a sense of belonging, showing how our K-12 campus can come together and connect as a
Chadwick community.