4th Grade

Fourth graders step into active leadership, dive into California’s rich history, and deepen their academic journey through immersive field trips and dynamic specialty classes.

Leadership in Action

In 4th grade at Carlthorp, growing independence meets meaningful leadership. Students strengthen academic fundamentals and social responsibility while serving as active school ambassadors, whether guiding prospective families on campus tours, managing daily flag honors, or opening car doors during drop-off and pickup. This hallmark year also introduces optional interscholastic athletics, giving students an opportunity to compete on CS sports teams.

Eyes on California

Fourth graders at Carlthorp bring California history to life. Through engaging social studies, they dig into local geography, civics, and early Native American tribes. The curriculum jumps off the page during an unforgettable overnight trip to Sacramento and Old Town Coloma, where our young "miners" pan for gold. Learning culminates in "Eureka!" as students perform a vibrant spring musical, showcasing their journey across Golden State history.

Digging Deeper

As 4th graders advance in literary analysis and geometric reasoning, specialty subjects broaden their intellectual toolkit. Students investigate energy and coding in Science, build Spanish fluency in their Libretas, conduct database research in Library, and explore architecture and ceramics in Art. Balanced with Music and customized P.E. fitness programs, these dynamic classes challenge students to apply higher-level thinking across every discipline.

Adventure for All

Each school year, 4th graders embark on an exhilarating trip to Will Rogers State Beach with Fulcrum Adventures. Designed to build trust and unity, this team-building retreat features go-kart building, archery, and ropes courses. Students also engage in marine conservation through a beach cleanup, blending hands-on service learning with outdoor exploration to set an inspiring foundation for an incredible year of growth.

Meet the Team

List of 4 items.

Ron Burwick

Ron graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a major in Communications. He also attended the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Before teaching at Carlthorp, Mr. Burwick spent nine years in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he taught in the GATE program, as well as in a regular classroom. Outside of school, he enjoys scuba diving, completing the New York Times crossword puzzles, and anything related to the New England Patriots or the Boston Red Sox.
Tiffany Neilson

Ms. Neilson is excited to teach 4th grade during the 2025-2026 school year. Previously a 1st grade teacher, she loves being a part of the Carlthorp School community and inspiring children to learn and reach their highest potential.

Tiffany was born and raised in Valencia and attended Concordia University in Irvine, where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and played intercollegiate volleyball. Prior to Carlthorp, she taught for five years at Kenter Canyon Elementary School, where she was involved in many extracurricular committees, including the instructional leadership team, student leadership council, social committee, and governance.

When she isn’t teaching, you can probably find her at the beach playing volleyball, reading, listening to music, cooking, or traveling. She enjoys attending live theater, learning about nutrition, visiting art museums, and spending time with her two nieces.
Ciauna Cota

A native Angeleno, Ms. Cota grew up in Chinatown and Pasadena and earned her bachelor’s degree in sociocultural anthropology from Pitzer College. Before joining Carlthorp, she completed a teaching fellowship at Crane Country Day School in Santa Barbara and has worked as an educator in various camp and outdoor education programs across California. Ciauna draws on her background in experiential education, Universal Design for Learning, and Responsive Classroom frameworks to create an interactive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. She believes 4th grade is a powerful year when students begin to think more critically, empathetically, and independently. Outside the classroom, Ciauna enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach, doing embroidery, listening to records, and practicing capoeira. She’s thrilled to be part of the Carlthorp community.
Mark Franks

Originally from the Boston area, Mark earned a B.S. in economics from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in elementary education from Lesley University. After beginning his teaching career at Sunita Williams School in Massachusetts, he moved to Los Angeles, where he taught 5th grade for over a decade and most recently taught middle school math. Mark is passionate about helping students build confidence, embrace challenges, and discover their potential. As an educator, he enjoys designing engaging, interest-driven curriculum that incorporates diverse perspectives. He has served as a teacher leader, helped develop scope and sequence in multiple subjects, and strongly believes in the value of experiential learning. Over the years, Mark has led student and teacher exchange trips to China, coached sports, and facilitated student clubs. Outside the classroom, he enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors with family and friends, and spending time in Maine restoring his old farmhouse.