Academics
Grade Level Highlights

4th Grade

Fourth graders journey to Old California through a year-long social studies curriculum that focuses on the state's geography, the California Native Americans, the missions, and the Gold Rush. Class trips to Sacramento and Will Rogers State Beach are highlights of the year.
A musical program presented by the 4th graders in the spring, Eureka!, gives students the opportunity to share the knowledge they have gained about important elements of California history.
Academic fundamentals and the development of social responsibility lay the groundwork for upcoming school years. As 4th graders become more independent, they take on new responsibilities and earn privileges. Students participate in opening car doors in the carpool line and raising and lowering the flags to begin and end the day.
Fourth graders experience technology in useful ways and enjoy supervised laptop use throughout the school year. Students learn and utilize a variety of various computer programs for social studies projects and assignments in reading and writing workshops.

Adventurers and Ambassadors

Students build independence through a variety of field trips. First, students venture to Will Rogers State Beach to embark on their Fulcrum adventure! This day is filled with team-building activities like go-cart building, archery, and rope-climbing. The Fulcrum field trip also incorporates a service learning experience focusing on conserving marine ecosystems through a morning beach cleanup.

In late spring, 4th graders take a short flight to our state’s capital for a two-night stay. The Sacramento trip enhances the California history program thanks to the visits to the capitol building, Sutter’s Fort, Old Town Sacramento, and Coloma, where our young “miners” pan for gold.
 
The public speaking program continues as 4th graders deliver monthly current events. The students are also excited to serve as ambassadors to the school by becoming tour guides for prospective parents. By the end of their 4th grade year, they are comfortable showcasing their school to adults they have just met!

Meet the Team

List of 4 items.

  • Jarrod Moon

    Jarrod Moon is in his second year as a member of the 4th grade faculty at Carlthorp School. His passion for teaching grew from his experience as a summer camp counselor during college, when he led hikes, fishing trips, and cooking activities for young explorers. A football and baseball player in high school, Jarrod graduated from Indiana University with a degree in elementary education, a minor in counseling, and a concentration in mathematics. He looks forward to sharing his passion for math and history with his Carlthorp students. Jarrod spends free time expanding his movie and TV trivia and rewatching Star Wars movies.

  • Julie Paiva

    In her seventh year of teaching at Carlthorp School, Ms. Paiva is excited to be a part of the 4th grade team with Ms. Neilson. Prior to Carlthorp, she spent 17 years teaching at the elementary level in Brentwood’s Kenter Canyon School of Advanced Studies. She has a passion for inspiring students to become lifelong learners and compassionate members of the community.

    Julie graduated from UC Davis with her bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communications, and a minor in theater. She went on to receive her master's in teaching and a multiple subject teaching credential from Chapman University. In 2009, Julie was awarded the Lori Petrick Award for Excellence in Education from the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys writing, performing, being outdoors, and traveling to new places.

  • Tiffany Neilson

    Ms. Neilson is teaching 4th grade alongside Ms. Paiva in 2024-2025 after several years together in 1st grade. 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.

  • 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.
438 San Vicente Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 451-1332
Established in 1939, Carlthorp School is the oldest independent coeducational day school for grades K-6 located in Santa Monica, California.