Affording Walden

Since its founding in 1970, Walden School has been grounded in equity, access, and social justice. It is our belief at Walden School that there can be no excellence in education without all types of diversity, including socio-economic.

Teaching children to respect and appreciate the beliefs, values, and histories of all individuals is as necessary for success in our world as is a solid grounding in science, math, and language.

Every family who attends Walden has the opportunity to enroll with a tuition level that fits their financial circumstances, and we maintain a commitment to equitable tuition rates based on family income. On average, approximately 30% of Walden families attend at a reduced tuition rate.

2025-2026 Tuition and Fees

Kindergarten to 6th Grade

The 2025-2026 Kindergarten to 6th grade tuition is $28,670 if paid in a single payment; payment plans are offered. Tuition is inclusive of all materials, books, and field/outdoor education trips.

Pre-Kindergarten

The 2025-2026 full-time Pre-K rate is $26,980 if paid in a single payment and includes optional Village care for a full day from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; payment plans are offered.

We also offer part-time Pre-K options. Tuition is as follows if paid in a single payment; payment plans are offered.

Half-Day: $19,860 (8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
3 Days: $18,760 (includes optional Village care for a full day from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

New Student Legacy Fee

There is a one-time new student legacy fee of $750. In order to fulfill the Walden mission, maintain the value and excellence of our educational program, and to build upon the strong foundation laid by generous families in years' past, this fee honors the commitments of the alumni and present families whose financial contributions and time volunteered helped purchase and renovate our campus, and continue to enrich our community.

The Walden Fund (Annual Giving)

As a non-profit, independent school, we ask every Walden family to make Walden School a philanthropic priority each year. Your annual contribution to The Walden Fund enables Walden to continue to be exemplary.

Your charitable financial support gives us the confidence to be aspirational and inspired. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by IRS guidelines. Walden School is a 501 (c)3 organization. Tax ID#95-2663177

Flexible Tuition

If the cost of a Walden education feels out of reach based on your family’s financial circumstances, we encourage you to explore our flexible tuition program.

When determining if your family should apply for flexible tuition, please look at all personal resources for meeting costs first. We ask that you give careful thought to the maximum amount of tuition that you can reasonably pay. If all available resources, including extended family, are not enough to meet tuition costs, then your family may qualify for an adjusted tuition rate.

Criteria to Receive Flexible Tuition

Flexible tuition rates are awarded on the basis of need only; Walden does not offer a merit scholarship program. A family must establish that a need exists in order to receive a reduced rate. Walden uses Clarity, which helps independent schools across the country determine a family's financial need. With the help of Clarity, our flexible tuition committee will determine the reduced tuition amopunt.

Tabulating financial need is determined by considering many factors including total family income, assets (especially housing) and liabilities, standard living expenses, unusual expenses, discretionary funds, family size, and the number of children attending tuition-charging schools. There are no absolute guidelines by which you can determine your own eligibility, because each case is unique.

The flexible tuition program is available to students at any grade level.
Flexible tuition is based on demonstrated need.
Through the comprehensive application process, each applying family's unique financial circumstances are carefully considered.
Subject to the constraints of the Board-approved annual budget and the decisions of the flexible tuition committee, qualifying families will pay reduced rates for tuition and certain other fees.
Families are expected, to the best of their ability, to use their resources toward the timely payment of their reduced tuition and fee obligations.
Discounts for most auxiliary programs are available for families that qualify for flexible tuition.
Please note that families must reapply each year for the program. A tuition reduction granted in one year does not guarantee eligibility in subsequent years.

Please note that despite our commitment to flexible tuition and to enrolling an economically diverse student body, the number of accepted applicants who qualify for flexible tuition may be more than Walden is able to support through our annual operating budget in any given year. Although we would wish to do so, Walden cannot guarantee that all applicants who qualify for flexible tuition will receive the adjusted tuition rates.

How to Apply

Walden School uses the Clarity Application to determine a family’s flexible tuition level and ability to pay.

1. To get started, please go to the Clarity website to create an account.

2. Begin the application process. This is estimated to take 40 minutes to complete, and you have the ability to save your progress and return to the application at any time.

3. At the end of the application, there will be a $60 fee to submit.

4. Please pay close attention to emails from Walden and Clarity after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as you may be required to upload additional tax documentation, including but not limited to S-Corporations or Schedule E partnerships along with corresponding K-1s, 1120s, and/or Form 1065.

Application Process Support

Please watch the video below or refer to the Clarity Family Application Guide for guidance on the application process.

If you need additional support during the application process, there is in-app support available and email support at support@claritytuition.com (available in both English and Spanish). You may also reach out to admissions@waldenschool.net.

Application Timeline

October 7, 2024
Clarity application will open

December 16, 2024
Clarity application due for continuing students and applicant siblings

January 31, 2025
Deadline to submit admission and Clarity applications

February 11, 2025
Re-enrollment agreements for returning/sibling students due

March 14, 2025
Admission decision/flexible tuition notification date

March 21, 2025
Admission decision/flexible tuition response due

Returning Families

Please note that families must reapply each year for the flexible tuition program. A tuition reduction granted in one year does not guarantee eligibility in subsequent years. Families that apply for flexible tuition by the December 16, 2024 deadline will have priority and receive a preliminary offer in January contingent upon the receipt of necessary supporting documents. Returning families that apply for flexible tuition after the December 16 deadline will be evaluated on a case by case basis with new family applicants.

Confidentiality

Information entered online is shared confidentially with an outside consulting firm and is reviewed by Walden’s Flexible Tuition Committee. Walden School understands the personal and sensitive nature of financial documents and keeps all such information, as well as all decisions and information who receives flexible tuition, strictly private. Teachers, members of the Board of Trustees, and students are not informed of flexible tuition applications or decisions. It is also expected that families do not discuss confidential tuition finance matters with each other.

FAQ about Clarity

Why did Walden choose Clarity?
1. We have chosen Clarity as our flexible tuition application provider in order to better serve both our current and prospective families. We are confident that this change is going to make the process of applying for flexible tuition easier for families.
How does Clarity make it easier for me to apply for flexible tuition?
1. Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile friendly application that can be completed in as short a time as 20 minutes. Additionally, Clarity removes the need to upload your 2023 W2 and 1040 by transferring them directly from the IRS. This reduces the amount of information that you will need to enter manually and makes it possible to complete the application quickly and efficiently.
Is my information secure with Clarity?
1. Walden takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.
How will this impact my flexible tuition level?
1. Just as in prior years, if your financial circumstances have not changed, you will not see significant changes to your flexible tuition level. If you have any questions about your individual circumstance, please reach out to us.
Will I still need to apply every year?
1. Yes, you will need to submit a Clarity application each year in order to qualify for flexible tuition; however, Clarity retains your information from previous applications, so it will be even easier to reapply.
Can I complete my Clarity application on my phone or tablet?
1. Yes! Clarity’s application is fully mobile-friendly so you have access wherever you are.
When do I need to apply?
1. You must submit your full completed application by December 16, 2024 (returning families and sibling applicants) or January 31, 2025 (applicant families).

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