Home - Walden School

Walden School is an independent progressive school for Pre-K to 6th grade students in Pasadena, California.

Centering Childhood

In Walden classrooms, learning is grounded in inquiry, experience, and collaboration. Our progressive program is informed by principles of social justice and inclusion, and helps children master both academic and social-emotional skills.

Explore how we cultivate creative and critical thinkers who use their voice as compassionate change makers in our diverse world.

NURTURING A CHILD'S NATURAL WONDER

STAY CURIOUS

Children are naturally driven to explore the world around them and figure things out. When this curiosity is encouraged, their mind is actively engaged, making observations, analyzing options, finding connections—in other words, learning. Our curriculum views wonder as the foundation for growth and progress.

ENCOURAGING THE SPIRIT OF RENAISSANCE LEARNING

DISCOVER YOUR PASSION

Classes in art, dance, library, music, P.E., science & technology, Spanish, and storytelling are an integral part of the Walden experience from Pre-K through 6th grade. Taught by our specialist faculty, these classes provide creative inspiration to every learner and support our students in becoming well-rounded citizens who understand the world through multiple perspectives.

PROMOTING CHILD-LED INQUIRY

LEAD THE WAY

At Walden, children have a voice and a choice. Child-led inquiry is the tool that encourages students to take ownership for their learning. Beginning with questions that spark critical thinking, students' inquiry and reflection lie at the heart of our educational experience.

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

LOVE LEARNING

Our program guides students toward mastering traditional academic skills and applying their knowledge to a variety of situations in creative, insightful ways. As children discover the inter-relatedness of what they learn, they are inspired to find deeper answers to their questions.

TEACHING THAT WE ALL HAVE STEWARDSHIP FOR THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Our place-based approach to learning includes outdoor education, field trips, and service learning. Students gain a deep understanding of the needs and resources of the environment and communities around them, and learn how to make a positive impact.

VALUING AND RESPECTING DIVERSITY

BECOME A GLOBAL CITIZEN

Rooted in a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion, we guide students to understand their multiple identities, notice and celebrate the diversity in their community, recognize and name injustice, and take action to create a more equitable world.

FOSTERING CREATIVITY IN PROBLEM SOLVING

STRETCH YOUR IDEAS

We view problems as opportunities to improve and develop a growth mindset. Our teachers model the importance of approaching a challenge with empathy and an open mind. We encourage students to find fresh perspectives and come up with practical solutions.

@lifeatWalden

Class of 2020 Graduation

On Friday, June 12, we celebrated the Class of 2020 with a virtual graduation ceremony, a family car parade, and a shared moment on the South yard.

Perspectives on Progressive Education

An expert in childhood development makes an impassioned plea for creating safe learning environments—and then getting out of the way.

Voices of Walden

Walden is a community built on understanding, respect for others, and a shared love of learning. Like the larger Pasadena community, we embody a diverse range of backgrounds, interests, beliefs, and family structures. We thrive on the unique ideas and perspectives each person brings to the school. These are some of our stories.

Sydni Myrick-Causey

Sydni Myrick-Causey

4/5 Lead Teacher

As educators, we have a profound opportunity to impact society positively through the children that come through our classrooms. When planning lessons and activities, I’m thinking about what I want my students to bring and also what I want them to take away from it. Are they going to feel better about themselves and their abilities? Are they going to have a better sense of what they can do? Are they going to work better in pairs or independently?

Ben Boquist

Ben Boquist

Art Specialist

The real value of art education at the elementary level is that it teaches creative problem solving and promotes patterns of creative behavior. Every day, I am inspired by the concepts kids bring to class. I love seeing students push through a challenging project and emerge on the other side. Walden students are bold, curious, and ambitious.

Pastron Family

Pastron Family

Current and Alumni Family

Our four children, three Walden graduates and a current student, are each different learners with individual interests and their own educational strengths and weaknesses. In each of them, Walden instilled a sense of confidence in their own voices and ideas. This allowed them to not only be successful in the challenging academic environments they moved on to, but to stand out and remain themselves.

Makala Thomas

Makala Thomas

Walden Alumna

I graduated from Walden with the class of 2012 Golden Frogs. After attending Westridge for middle and high school, I am now at Florida State University, where I have the unique opportunity of playing soccer, the sport that I love, as well as pursuing my dreams in media production and editing. Both of these passions were born during my time at Walden. Couldn’t be more thankful for the memories, lessons, and friendships that I built at Walden.

Nathalie Griffiths

Nathalie Griffiths

K/1 Lead Teacher

I value the social emotional learning we do at Walden with our children. It's very important to me as a teacher, and I appreciate how it’s woven into the fabric of our day. It helps our community practice empathy, compassion, and understanding for one another. Checking in with each other is one of the many ways I enjoy connecting with our students.

Walden's Way Forward

After careful consideration and consultation of public health guidelines, we intend to reopen campus full-time for all students in the fall, with physical distancing and other safety measures in place. We will also be offering a concurrent remote learning program for families who have medical concerns.