Walden School

We have been part of the Walden community for 8 years and it has been a great experience for both of our children and for our family! For us, it has been the right blend of a progressive, child-centered curriculum with just enough structure to feel familiar to both of us who went through traditional schools. I would encourage anyone looking for a thoughtful environment that helps students discover who they are and to appreciate the process of learning to at least tour and explore what Walden can offer.When we toured for Kindergarten, we kept coming back to how "right" Walden felt. Everything from the intention behind the curriculum, the  kindhearted approach to meeting students where they are "in the moment," and the enthusiasm the parents had for the school resonated with us.Our oldest child is now thriving at a middle school that is more traditional and "rigorous." But Walden kids do well moving on to a diverse range of schools ranging from the most "selective" and achievement-oriented schools to more progressive schools to public options.We couldn't be more pleased with our decision to choose Walden.
Apr 13th, 2022

I highly recommend Walden if you are looking for an elementary school that fully understands the nature of children.  Both my kids attended from pre-K through 6th grade and both were wonderfully prepared for middle school.  Walden is a progressive school; you can read all about its mission and its approach on its website.  Here, I just want to say that the school masterfully integrates academic learning, the arts and physical education, while also teaching kids how to collaborate, how to be kind, how to think through a problem, how to communicate with peers and adults, and how to be engaged with the world around them.  Exploration, curiosity and community are just three of the values that are imbued in kids' everyday experience at Walden.  I'm so glad that my kids were able to learn and grow at this lovely school.
Oct 22nd, 2020

After reviewing many schools and recommendation from great friends we have decided to send our boy to Walden and now to see him enjoying his days and coming home saying how great his days were a solid 10/10 he often tells me , is priceless. He would often skip snack just so he could have more time to play with his friends, to see him gradually transforming from a shy boy to an open mind, creative and compassionate boy , we honestly cant be happier , the staff at the school is also top notch ! I am glad that my son has the privilege to attend this school :)
Jun 30th, 2018

Our entire family LOVES this school! Very supportive and loving teachers at a school that really builds a sense of community.
Jun 30th, 2018

Walden is a place full of love, creativity, equality, and diversity, and our children are truly blessed to be receiving such a balanced and excellent education. What strikes me most about Walden is how much the teachers love the school; so many of them have been at the school for twenty, thirty, thirty+ years, which if you think about it, says so much about the administration and core values / mission of the school. If you find yourself torn between Progressive vs. Traditional education because you want aspects of both, Walden sits beautifully in the middle of this spectrum, balancing progressive values, social-emotional learning, mindfulness, cross-discipline instruction, etc. with impressive academic methodologies / learning systems like Singapore Math and USC's Readers and Writer's Workshop. If you're hoping to provide your child with a well-balanced yet progressive education in Pasadena, I highly recommend you come tour Walden. This is our fourth year here with two very different kids, and we couldn't be happier.
Jul 2nd, 2018