Tuition & Financial Assistance
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.
2022-2023 Tuition & Fees
All-Inclusive Tuition K-6th
The 2022-2023 tuition (K through 6th grade) is $25,130 if paid in a single payment; payment plans are offered. Tuition is inclusive of all materials, books, and field trips.
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.
Pre-K Program
The 2022-2023 full-time Pre-K rate is $23,630 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: $17,400 (8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
- 3 Days: $16,440 (includes optional Village care for a full day from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
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
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Procedures and Deadlines
Prospective Families
Applying for financial assistance is a three step process. Please be sure that you complete all three steps to ensure that your application is processed. Applications received after January 31, 2023 will not be considered until all applicants who met the deadlines are processed.
1. Click here to download the Walden School Financial Aid Letter of Intent. Complete this letter and mail/email to Walden, so that we receive it by January 27, 2023.
2. Click here to begin the online Financial Aid for Student Tuition (FAST) application. The online application must be completed in full by January 31, 2023. For questions about completing the online FAST application, please call FAST directly at 1-877-326-3278.
3. The following documents must be received by FAST (do not mail to Walden School) by February 17, 2023: 1) a copy of your complete and signed 2021 tax returns with W-2 and schedules attached and a copy of your last 2022 pay stub(s).
Mail directly to FAST at the address below:
FAST Processing
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806
The Financial Aid Committee maintains strict confidentiality over financial aid files. Teachers, members of the Board of Trustees, and students are not informed of financial aid applications or decisions. The Financial Aid Committee will consider financial assistance only for families who meet all of the above listed deadlines.
We understand the personal and sensitive nature of the requested documents and keep all such information strictly confidential. By providing the documents, as detailed in this letter, we can better understand your financial situation, interpret it to the Financial Aid Committee, and appropriately evaluate your application. If you have any questions about the Financial Assistance application process in general, please contact Walden School’s Director of Admissions, Billy Christian, at (626) 792-6166 x105.
To learn more about the Financial Aid process and how it affects prospective and current families, please click here.
Current Families
There are three steps to apply for financial assistance. Please be sure that you complete ALL the steps to ensure that your application is processed.
Applications received after January 31, 2023 will not be considered until all applicants who met the deadlines are processed.
1. Click here to download the Walden School Financial Aid Letter of Intent. Complete this letter and mail/email to Walden, so that we receive it by JANUARY 27, 2023.
2. Click here to begin the online Financial Aid for Student Tuition (FAST) application. The online application must be completed in full by JANUARY 31, 2023. For questions about completing the online FAST application, please call FAST directly at 1-877-326-327.
3. Mail to be received by FAST* by FEBRUARY 17, 2023 a copy of your complete and signed 2021 tax returns, with W2 and schedules attached, along with a copy of your last 2022 pay stub(s):
FAST Processing
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806
*Do NOT mail to Walden School. Required documents must be sent directly to FAST and received by FEBRUARY 17, 2023.
The Financial Aid Committee maintains strict confidentiality over financial aid files. Teachers, members of the Board of Trustees, and students are not informed of financial aid applications or decisions. The Financial Aid Committee will consider financial assistance only for families who meet all of the above listed deadlines.
FOR CURRENT PARENTS: In order to secure a place for your child at Walden next year, your re-enrollment contract and deposit are due by noon on Friday, February 17, 2023. If the FAST application is completed on time by January 31, the Financial Aid Committee will be able to make decisions before your child's re-enrollment contract is issued on February 6, 2023, and your financial assistance award will be embedded in your contract.
Any financial assistance offers to currently enrolled families will be e- mailed with an amended re-enrollment contract, which will then be due ten (10) calendar days from the date of the financial assistance offer letter. After that time, the funds may be re-directed to other qualified families in need.
Should you decide to decline the financial assistance offer and want to withdraw from Walden School for 2022-23, a request for withdrawal and deposit refund must be made in writing and received by the Business Office no later than fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the financial assistance offer letter. After that time, the original deposit becomes non-refundable.
We understand the personal and sensitive nature of the requested documents and keep all such information strictly confidential. By providing the documents, as detailed in this letter, we can better understand your financial situation, interpret it to the Financial Aid Committee, and appropriately evaluate your application. If you have any questions about the Financial Assistance application process in general, please contact Walden School’s Business Officer, Hariani Laksana at (626) 792-6166 x210.
Qualifying for Financial Assistance
When determining if your family should apply for aid, please look at all personal resources for meeting costs first. We anticipate that this will involve some degree of sacrifice. 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 still not enough to meet tuition costs, then the family may qualify for aid. There are no absolute guidelines by which you can determine your own eligibility, because each case is unique.
Confidentiality
Walden understands the personal and sensitive nature of financial documents and keeps all such information strictly confidential. The Financial Aid Committee maintains strict confidentiality over financial aid files. Teachers and students are not informed of financial aid decisions.
Criteria for Awarding Grants
At Walden, financial aid grants are awarded on the basis of need only. A family must establish that a need exists in order to receive a grant. Walden uses FAST (Financial Aid for Student Tuition), which helps independent schools across the country determine a family's financial need. With the help of FAST, our Financial Aid committee at the school will determine the grant award amount.
Financial need is determined by taking many factors into account including family income, assets (especially housing) and liabilities, net worth, standard living expenses, unusual expenses, family size, the number of children attending tuition-charging schools, and the ability of both parents to work.
Despite our commitment to financial aid and to enrolling an economically diverse student body, each year the number of accepted applicants who qualify for financial aid is more than Walden is able to support through our annual operating budget. Although we would wish to do so, Walden cannot guarantee that all applicants who qualify for financial aid will receive assistance.