The Walden School

We couldn't be happier with our decision three years ago to enroll our daughter in The Walden School. From the moment we were greeted during our initial tour of the school, we immediately felt incredibly welcome by the staff and administration and were impressed with the classrooms and learning environment. With my husband having attended Montessori school as a child and loving his experience, we knew we wanted our children to start their education in this type of learning environment. Walden checked all the boxes we were looking for and more!The teachers at Walden have been truly outstanding in nurturing and guiding our girls with such patience and joy. It is amazing to see how much they genuinely care about the development of our daughters. We have seen incredible growth in their independence, curiosity, and confidence since attending Walden. It has also been fun to see the girls perform a household task at home after learning at school, and their proud faces after helping out. The life skills they are gaining at such a young age have been remarkable. The classrooms are full of such a wide variety of work across all subjects for the children to explore at their own pace, and it is always great seeing a lot of the completed work come home. The pictures and videos shared of our girls through the Seesaw app have been an awesome view into the classroom as well.Being part of the Parent Ambassador team at Walden has been such a positive and uplifting experience. It has been such a pleasure getting to know other parents at Walden and working together on school events and fundraisers. The community at Walden is amazing, and I love the feeling I get walking into the building, conversing with staff and fellow parents. We couldn't ask for a more welcoming, warm, and fun community to be part of!

We cannot say enough good things about The Walden School. Both of our children started in preschool and are currently in Kindergarten and 4th grade at Walden. The Preschool and Kindergarten program provides a nurturing and peaceful environment that is rich in academics. Each child is valued and treated with respect, while being individually challenged academically. The children are able to attend a Friendship Group which helps them build social and emotional skills and peaceful conflict resolution. In elementary, the children learn time management skills, public speaking along with continued social and emotional learning, and are encouraged to get to know themselves as learners. This helps them build a foundation for confidence and success - not just academically, but will prepare them for life. Walden is a staple in our lives, a second home to our children, helping to shape them in becoming upstanding citizens. The best testament of our experience is how happy our children are and how they look forward to going to school each day in an environment where they feel valued.

October 06, 2025We cannot say enough good things about The Walden School. Both of our children started in preschool and are currently in Kindergarten and 4th grade at Walden. The Preschool and Kindergarten program provides a nurturing and peaceful environment that is rich in academics. Each child is valued and treated with respect, while being individually challenged academically. The children are able to attend a Friendship Group which helps them build social and emotional skills and peaceful conflict resolution. In elementary, the children learn time management skills, public speaking along with continued social and emotional learning, and are encouraged to get to know themselves as learners. This helps them build a foundation for confidence and success - not just academically, but will prepare them for life. Walden is a staple in our lives, a second home to our children, helping to shape them in becoming upstanding citizens. The best testament of our experience is how happy our children are and how they look forward to going to school each day in an environment where they feel valued.

Walden has been exactly the right choice for my son for elementary school! I can't say enough good things. The learning is hands-on, whole-body engagement (no 2-dimensional worksheets!). It is collaborative, creative, and integrated across domains. For instance, students each learned about a specific sea animal, lavishly decorated the classroom as an underwater environment (arts and crafts, teamwork), wrote and delivered a presentation (with written, visual, and oral components), and visited "their" animal at the aquarium. Students' work is tailored to their level, and they have a lot of autonomy in how and where in the classroom to complete the work. The parent-teacher conference in the spring is led by the students so that they can reflect on what their strengths and goals are. My son has grown so confident, and his natural curiosity about learning has been fostered, not squelched, as it had been at his previous school. He also really loves the music program, especially the twice-yearly concerts on the Media Theater stage. And check the prices against other private schools. It sure seemed like a bargain to me! Thank you, Walden!

We absolutely love Walden School in Montessori! The values taught here align beautifully with what we want for our children-acceptance of differences, peaceful interactions, and individualized learning that promotes self-autonomy and independence. What truly stands out is how deeply the teachers and staff know and genuinely love our kids. It's more than just education; it's a community that nurtures each child's unique potential. Highly recommended!

Choosing to send our son to The Walden School has been one of the best decisions we've ever made for our family. From the moment we joined the community, we felt welcomed and supported. Walden's curriculum nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning, and our son has thrived in this environment. Beyond academics, Walden instills values of respect and kindness, which are shaping him into a compassionate and confident learner. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our son's teachers and the strong sense of community that Walden fosters. If you're looking for a school that honors individuality, inspires learning, and cultivates character, The Walden School is for you - it's truly a special place!

Our experience with The Walden School has been exceptional! The teachers and administrative staff consistently show how much they care about our child and our goals for him, and they keep open lines of communication, so at home, we can reemphasize what he's learning at school. The classroom environment is one of a thriving community of young minds, and the teaching style meets the kids where they are, so they can focus on the subjects that interest them most and then apply the learnings to other areas at their own pace. Our son is in his second year now, and we'll be reenrolling him for a third.

In 2023, as we moved back to Philadelphia, finding the right school for our son and securing a home were our top priorities. We visited all the Montessori-certified schools in the suburban areas west of the city and initially had concerns about Walden School due to its older building. However, those concerns quickly dissipated, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have joined Walden. The teachers here genuinely care about each student's overall development, and the school offers a well-rounded education that includes everything from library time and music classes to academic learning and biannual concerts, setting it apart from other schools. This year, the school underwent renovations, and everything looks refreshed and new. Over the past two years, we've been so pleased with Walden that we've successfully recommended it to two families. With our second child on the way, we've already placed them on the waitlist, confident Walden will provide the same nurturing environment for them.

The Walden School has been a wonderful landing place for my son. We tried public school, but it became quickly apparent that the structure and more rigid environment were not a match. He has thrived at Walden. He is a very anxious kid, and the staff have been incredibly supportive and collaborative. The curriculum is flexible and adapts to his needs while still providing an excellent education. They foster curiosity and problem solving, helping kids become confident learners. It is a very special little school, and I'm thrilled we found it!

The Walden School has been a wonderful landing place for my son. We tried public school, but it became quickly apparent that the structure and more rigid environment were not a match. He has thrived at Walden. He is a very anxious kid, and the staff have been incredibly supportive and collaborative. The curriculum is flexible and adapts to his needs while still providing an excellent education. They foster curiosity and problem solving, helping kids become confident learners. It is a very special little school, and I'm thrilled we found it!

Our daughter started at Walden in kindergarten, and now as a second grader, we couldn't be happier with our decision. The amount of growth we've seen in her over the past few years has been truly remarkable. The teachers, staff, parents, and students create such a warm and welcoming environment, allowing her to feel at home and comfortable just being herself. One of the things I love most about Walden is the regular student presentations. It's incredible to see how confident the students are when standing in front of a crowd and sharing their work with pride. Walden provides each child with the tools they need to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them for their next educational experience and beyond. We are so grateful to be part of this wonderful community!

Collectively, our two kids have spent over a decade at the Walden School (pre-K to 4th so far). We've loved watching them grow and learn so much under the guidance and care of their wonderful teachers. The Walden School is a special place where children receive individual attention, make strong bonds with their peers and teachers, and develop not only their intellectual abilities but their confidence and creativity as well. The variety of "specials" (Spanish, music/instrumental, art, etc.) is also most welcome. We feel very fortunate to have found a community in Walden.

Walden is an excellent school! Our son has thrived there. When he arrived he really had no clue how to behave in groups bc he was a pandemic baby. Now he is fully at ease in the classroom and freely expresses his creativity. The teachers are amazingly supportive. The school also has a rich set of after school activities and social events. It is truly a community. We highly recommend!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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!