Chamber music brings us all together like one school family. Students learn that the spirit of teamwork extends beyond their own peer groups. They learn that everyone (including the audience) stands behind them and is invested in their growth and success.
Crowden students share a passion for learning and creating. Communication and concentration skills, self-confidence, curiosity, and a life-long love of music are just a few benefits of Crowden’s program.
Daily music practice causes an awareness of one’s own power to influence change, and leads to a greater empathy and curiosity about the world.
Crowden School welcomes all families, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationality, religion, or wealth.
Our shared love of music unites our vibrant, diverse community.
51% of our student body receives need-based financial aid
At Crowden, learning is not just academic — it’s social, emotional, and ethical.
We believe that a child’s sense of belonging, safety, and connection forms the foundation for curiosity, creativity, and achievement.
Our students learn to understand themselves, care for others, and engage with the world around them with empathy and integrity.
Our small size allows every child to be known — by teachers, staff, and peers — and ensures that when challenges arise, they are met with curiosity and care rather than judgment.
Crowden school students know that practice makes nearly anything possible. The self-empowerment they learn through instrument practice, they apply to enact change in their local community. Study within the classroom naturally extends to public service. A sixth grade science unit on nutrition leads to a school-wide study of hunger awareness, including a food drive, Oxfam Hunger Banquet, volunteering at the local food bank, and growing food in the school garden. Students make and donate blankets for those in need in their lunchtime knitting club, and organize climate action strikes.
Each year, our students raise funds to support local and international charities. Classes hold bake sales, organize read-a-thons, and collect donations. Students have voted to support the following organizations in the past: One Warm Coat, Kiva Loan Program, Heifer International, The Berkeley Food and Housing Project.
Every two years, Crowden School seventh and eighth graders go on a musical tour. Students treasure the Tour as a highlight of their time at Crowden. Each tour is jam-packed with public performances, musical exchanges with local young musicians, and educational explorations of the visited region’s history and cultural landmarks.
Past tours have included: Chicago and Cleveland, Southwestern U.S., Washington D.C., New York City, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, England, Scotland, Italy, and New Zealand.
Under the supervision of the eighth grade advisor, the eighth grade class leads activities and raises funds to provide community service to the school. Activities have included organizing events like Spirit Week, Haunted Houses, and dances, designing and distributing our yearbooks, and other industrious endeavors. Each graduating class creates a mural for the school.
Educational experiences outside of the classroom enrich the learning experience. Our students take frequent adventures! Past field trip destinations have included: Berkeley Public Library, Marin Museum of the American Indian, Peralta Hacienda, Lawrence Hall of Science, Oakland Museum, Angel Island, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Asian Art Museum, Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 826 Valencia, Phoebe Hearst Museum, Point Reyes, Mission Dolores, USS Hornet, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Ropes Course at Strawberry Canyon.
School performances bring Crowden School’s community together in support of our inspiring, hardworking students. We share food and friendship at potluck receptions following each student concert. Beyond our shared concert life, Crowden School hosts a variety of gatherings to strengthen the bonds of our community. Examples include our annual Welcome Barbecue, New Family “Meet ‘n Greet”, Holiday Party, Parent and Teacher Appreciation events, and Field Day. In the true spirit of teamwork, all of our school events are driven by a strong volunteer effort.
Sharing the gift of music with others improves the educational experience. Our student ensembles frequently provide music for civic events like the Berkeley Civic Center Art Exhibit or the North Berkeley Branch Library grand opening. Our groups often play at local retirement homes and nursery schools. At our annual Community Music Day, Crowden School students give hundreds of visitors a first hands-on experience with musical instruments. Our students also bring our mobile Instrument Petting Zoo to community events like Solano Stroll.
Our SEL curriculum is based on the internationally recognized SEE Learning framework, which develops three dimensions of growth:
Through our Advisory program, students engage in discussions and hands-on activities that help them:
Each grade builds skills that students can apply in friendships, group work, and their daily choices at school.
Crowden School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we value our inclusive community of students, parents, and faculty and staff of all backgrounds. Together, we celebrate our many differences and unite in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins.
