The Walden School

The Walden School, a Montessori-based independent school, promotes a high standard of academics in a peaceful and caring learning environment for students preschool through 5th grade.
Walden nurtures the whole child, ignites intellectual curiosity, and fosters independence in a culture of deep and abiding respect.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 127 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $19,550
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1967
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
127 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
38%
State avg.: 26%
Students by Grade
The Walden School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
30%
Average Class Size
14 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges between $9,150 (3 half day preschool program) and $19,550 (full day Elementary/Middle School program)
Summer Program Cost
$380
Summer Program Cost Notes
8 themed weeks $380 per week, full day $455 per week, full day+extended day $305 per week, half day
% on Financial Aid
20%
Acceptance Rate
98%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Kathy Swierczek

Sports

Total Sports Offered
2 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
7 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Young Actors Guild

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Athletic Club, Basketball Team, Lil Sports, Little Sports, Soccer Team, Zumbini

School Notes

  • The Walden School`s purpose is to offer a child-centered education based on the Montessori philosophy of developing the whole child in a nurturing and caring environment. The school provides a process-oriented preschool through middle school curriculum to a diverse community of learners that affirms a child`s innate joy of discovery. We think of ourselves as sharing a journey with children, not charting their journey for them. By expecting them to be responsible and accountable, and treating them with respect, we help them become competent and confident learners. They develop a real love of learning that lasts long after they leave the school.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Walden School cost?
The Walden School's tuition is approximately $19,550 for private students and $380 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Walden School?
The acceptance rate of The Walden School is 98%, which is higher than the national average of 86%.
Does The Walden School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Walden School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does The Walden School offer?
The Walden School offers 2 interscholastic sports: Basketball and Soccer.
When is the application deadline for The Walden School?
The application deadline for The Walden School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Calendar

View the The Walden School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event
Date
Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
June 07, 2024 (Friday)
Juneteenth - School Closed
June 19, 2024 (Wednesday)

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (18 reviews)
5  
My daughter has had a wonderful experience at Walden. She started in the pre-K program at 3 and is now a first-grader. All of her teachers have shown amazing patience and a true desire to know my daughter as a person, including attention to her specific learning style. Manageable class sizes allow an individualized approach to education that really supports children academically. In addition, the teachers and entire staff promote social and emotional learning that helps students to become thoughtful community members. As parents, we originally planned to have our daughter attend preschool at Walden and then take advantage of our district's strong public schools; however, we're now hooked and couldn't imagine leaving!
- Posted by
5  
My daughter has been at Walden in their pre-k program, and I cannot say enough about how wonderful the experience has been for both her and for me. My daughter has some delay issues, and she was nurtured, loved, and given the academic and personal attention she needed to thrive at Walden. Her progress has been amazing. Everyone knows her by name, and she absolutely loves her classmates and teachers and going to school! Her teachers are fantastic, and she was able to receive the special services she needed at the school which made it easier for me as a working mom. The staff have always had great and open communication with me and have gone above and beyond, which I know has contributed to my daughter's progress. If you want to know your child is receiving a great education both academic and social and is truly loved and cared for, go to Walden. I highly recommend this school!
- Posted by
5  
At Walden school, community thrives alongside academic growth. with a perfect classroom size, personalized attention from teachers fosters remarkable progress in math and reading skills. The cheerful, warm vibe of the building sets it apart, creating an inviting atmosphere conducive to learning and community engagement. It's a place where every child feels valued and supported on their educational journey. My daughter absolutely loves this school and I am so thankful we found it!
- Posted by
5  
Walden has been amazing for my son. The teachers know each student so well, know their true strengths and weaknesses, and value each child. He started in second grade because we wanted him to have more challenge and individuation than the public school was offering, and he's gotten that and so much more! The academics are rich and interconnected and collaborative. The cross-age-group experiences that he's had are so good for his social development. The music program is wonderful... and he gets athletics and art and theater, all in this small nurturing environment. I'm confident he's going to launch to middle school with everything he needs to succeed and a great big warm feeling in his heart for the Walden community.
- Posted by
5  
My three children have gone to the Walden School - one from 4th-8th grade, one from 1st-5th grade and one started in pre-school and is currently in 7th grade. We chose Walden because of its Montessori philosophy and warm, caring community and stayed because of the strong, individualized academics, the absolutely wonderful teachers, the true focus on giving back to the community and taking care of each other (with the oldest kids regularly helping the youngest in the school). The Walden education helped my children become independent, critical thinkers who aren't afraid to march to their own beat, who are kind and considerate, and who treat teachers and classmates with respect. I realized what an impact Walden had on my kids even more so after my older children moved on to public school. I also came to value even more the warm relationships my family developed with the teachers and administrators and fellow parents who all had in common a nurturing, peaceful approach to education.
- Posted by
5  
The Walden School is truly one of a kind. You can feel the warmth and sense of community from the moment you enter this institution. As an alumnus, I can truly speak to the benefit of Walden's Montessori approach to education. The vertically age-grouped classrooms allow students to form significant, genuine connections with teachers and classmates as they mature and excel together. Being a student here felt like I was a part of a team or one vast loving family. I find the teacher's acute attention to detail and inextinguishable fervor for their craft to be the formula for success in the classroom. The ability to work at my own pace and to be presented with new challenges daily is something I value the most at Walden. As a child, I transferred to several different schools, yet I've only ever felt at home and complete at The Walden School. This is a place I will forever advocate for!
- Posted by
5  
It is hard to find an appropriate place to begin to explain the exceptional experience we have had at Walden! From the very first phone call where we were desperate for a spot in their preschool program, Ms. Kathy was not only informative of the school itself but she lent a kind, gentle and understanding ear to both myself and my husband. She got us in for an appointment that very next day and made us feel right at home from the start. Our daughter's first year in the preschool program was challenging for a number of reasons, but the Walden teachers, administration, and building staff did everything in their power to make each day a better one for our girl. Coming off of the pandemic, our daughter had an extremely hard time being away from us. However, we knew that even with some early morning tears, she was safe and loved when she walked through those doors each morning. Once our girl finally broke out of that "school jitters" phase and we thought things couldn't get any better, we learned that the best was yet to come! This is our daughter's third year at Walden, and she is currently in the pre-kindergarten program. She is ecstatic to run through those doors every day to see her friends and teachers. She is making academic growth that is indescribable for a child who has not even started kindergarten yet- reading books, perfect handwriting, adding, counting to 100, and the list goes on! In addition to the outstanding academic performance that we have seen while at Walden, our daughter is truly learning to be a productive member of our household and society as a whole. She is learning to do things like clean up after herself, dress herself, take responsibility for her actions, that her actions have consequences and may affect others, how to use kitchen utensils, to treat others as she would like to be treated, and so on. These classrooms are filled with so much more than just learning materials; they are filled with tools that will help build the best versions of our children. As a parent and former educator, I promise that you will not regret your decision to enroll your child(ren) at the Walden School. I know we never will!
- Posted by
5  
If ever there was a school that exemplified a commitment to education, evolution and excellence - Walden would be it. Our family recently moved from out of state and we were delighted to find a community that so effortlessly aligned with our desire to preserve our child's curiosity, creativity and love of learning. Walden teachers and staff are eager to share their tools with parents; prioritizing the whole child - not just the parts that show up in class. One thing that surprised us about Walden is that they have an on-site school psychologist. She not only visits the classroom, offering children an opportunity to understand more fully their emotional landscape, but she is also available to speak with parents that may need a little extra support. Walden has worked tirelessly during the Covid pandemic to ensure the safety of the staff and children and we have felt at ease sending our child to school during such uncertain times. We are so grateful to be a part of the Walden community!
- Posted by
5  
The Walden School has been such a blessing for our family. We moved to the area from out of state during the pandemic and were fortunate to find places for our two older girls (kindergarten and preschool). In the midst of a tough year with so much uncertainty, our daughters have found a warm and welcoming place where they feel at home and have thrived. Though they have vastly different personalities, both of them love it. The school has done an outstanding job of embracing needed COVID changes in creative ways that have not detracted from learning at all. Our girls have made great friends and are learning so much. They are definitely getting a great foundation for a lifetime of love of learning, working hard, and successful relationships.
- Posted by
5  
I feel so grateful to everyone at the Walden School. My twins love walking in every single day. They are guided to use their unique skills to foster a natural learning style that fits their individual needs. They are both encouraged to grow in new dynamic ways. Since starting at Walden, I have noticed a self-confidence in both of them that can be traced back to their teachers and the staff. Walden is more than a school---it is a loving, nurturing community.
- Posted by
5  
The Walden School provides exceptional academic instruction in a nurturing, peaceful environment. Our daughter started in the Learning Together program, which is for 1.5 to 2.5-year-olds accompanied by a caregiver. It is the perfect way to get acquainted with the Montessori philosophy, which promotes independence, maturity, and curiosity. Our daughter is turning four this year and has now done two years of preschool at Walden. She is speaking German, doing basic math, singing Beatles songs, sounding out words, and can name the bones in the body and the planets in our solar system. It is a truly holistic education, and it feels like such a natural way for children to learn. We are so lucky to have found Walden.
- Posted by
5  
I have fallen in love with The Walden School. I was searching for a private school that would be K-8 or K-12 and from the moment I walked into Walden it felt like so much more than just a school. It felt so warm and welcoming. Those feelings are still there today for my son and as a parent. My son has been at Walden for 5 years and is greeted with the same warmth and enthusiasm every morning as I did as a visiting parent. The faculty is unlike any other and the attention given to each child, their individual academic needs, and their social needs far surpasses what any parent could want for their child. A smaller school with an enormous heart.
- Posted by
5  
We first found The Walden School researching available options in the area on the internet and it has exceeded our expectations in almost every way. We sent our first child to Walden when he was 2.5 years old for the full-week, half-day and it was his first experience outside of the home in a formal learning to set. When you first walk into a classroom it's incredible how warm, inviting, and "preschool friendly" they have made the classroom environment. The teachers were patient about helping him feel comfortable and having the older children serve as "buddies" was great. He's now been at Walden for ~2 years and continues to thrive in the same classroom. The fidelity to the Montessori model is immediately evident and the communication between teacher-parent and school-parent is strong. Most telling, our son leaves school smiling at the end of each day and speaks enthusiastically about the work he does during the day. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the Montessori model.
- Posted by
5  
Walden is an amazing place to send your child. The education my daughter has received has been outstanding. Everyone I've met has been warm and welcoming. The teachers are stellar at what they do. They have met my child where she is and helped her to grow immeasurably. She comes home happy and tired. She goes to school energized. We couldn't be happier we sent her to The Walden school. I wish we could stay through high school.
- Posted by
5  
Both of my kids have been at Walden since kindergarten and have thrived in the nurturing environment that has helped to shape them into caring and inquisitive young people. Every teacher is great and truly cares about each student and seeing them blossom into lifelong learners. We wish they both could stay there forever.
- Posted by
5  
The Walden School was so much more than a school to my family. They were part of our community, our neighborhood, and our lives. My daughter started in the Pre-K program at 3.5 and has blossomed into an intelligent, compassionate, and strong independent child. As parents, we prioritized finding a school that would instill a love of learning and a respect for the student in their core values and Walden more than lived up to that expectation. I wish we could stay there forever!!
- Posted by
5  
My husband and I feel so fortunate that we are able to send our son to the Walden School. They have created an environment that has allowed my kind-hearted, socially shy, needs help to come out of his shell 9-year-old son to thrive. They allow the students to explore; they encourage them to speak up & speak out; they take an interest in them inside and outside of school & they really foster a culture of diversity and understanding of differences. Prior to coming to Walden, my son attended K-1st grade at a school that just wasn't up to par academically & where we felt our son got lost in the shuffle. Here, everyone knows him by name, makes an effort to know us as parents and really digs deep to understand how they can best help each individual child. I especially love that the way they teach isn't just by lecture, sitting at a desk staring at a chalkboard, but through hands-on projects, exploration & using sensory and tactile items to accommodate different learning styles. I will sing their praises to anyone looking into schools for their children.
- Posted by
5  
We feel so lucky that we found Walden and that we can be part of this community. Our big kid transitioned to a new school this year after 6 glorious years at Walden. Walden set him up for success. The feedback we get from his new school is how conscientious, hard-working, thoughtful, and confident. He learned this at Walden. Our little guy is still at Walden and we treasure our years there. Our energetic boys thrive at Walden. Walden instills in them a love learning. The teachers know them so well and guide them to dig deep into math, science, writing, art, history, and life lessons. The boys are growing and thriving as whole people. And our lives are all better because of it. When they come home, they enjoy doing homework. They love reading. This school, the teachers, and the administration are an absolute treasure!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 127 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $19,550
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Delaware County, PA is $26,553 for elementary schools and $31,671 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Delaware County, PA is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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