Walden Center and School

Both our daughters attend Walden Center and School, a diverse community that embraces a progressive, constructivist, and developmental model of teaching and learning. It is an excellent academic environment within a warm embracing community that engages the whole child as a unique individual whose artistic education and expressions are integral parts of his/her development. The integrated arts curriculum makes learning a multisensory, joyful, thought provoking, and lasting experience. The school s small size enables teachers, parents, and children to truly know and support one another nobody gets lost in the crowd. One of the most important social development aspects of Walden is its Respect for All curriculum: classes, workshops, discussions, early intervention, mediation, role-play, and modeling provide tools and language for positive and peaceful decision-making and conflict resolution for children and the entire community. Respect for All starts at the early grades, so that students organically learn how to be members of a community, and become equipped to manage the increasingly complex social mores as they grow.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a school where every teacher will know your child personally, and each teacher we had was fantastic (k-2nd...could no longer afford private school and had to leave). The arts teachers are with your kids from k on. This school is committed to the children and their education.
--Submitted by a parent

Walden is unique among Berkeley schools in that it is run by the teachers, not by a head of school. What this means for your family is that every teacher at Walden has a personal stake in the school and is committed to the school's vision in a way that is different from teachers at more traditional schools. There is very little teacher turnover at Walden. The teaching staff is academically excellent and also diverse, which reflects Walden's commitment to view each child as an individual. Walden is a small community, but the families at Walden span a big range -- young parents and old, big families and single parents, well-to-do and just-starting-out parents, working artists and regular workaday folks. The children at Walden all know each other and treat each other like an extended family, playing together before and after school and during lunch time. Our child, who came to Walden after a few years at another school, has developed a love for school and learning that we have not seen before, nor in our older children. The music, art, and theater programs at Walden have been a source of real joy and achievement for our child. It is a really special school.
--Submitted by a parent

The students are happy and comfortable in their skin at this arts-based, progressive school.
--Submitted by a parent

Walden is a wonderful environment for children's growth and learning. To call it a 'school' is a misnomer for it connotes feelings associated with standardized expectations and boxed teaching. If you are of the belief that it does take a village to raise a child, you will be delighted to see this in action at Walden. Self-confidence, acceptance, and a desire for learning and continued enrichment are only a few of the positive side effects of a Walden education. My son has grown into an independent thinker, lover of the arts, and has a strong sense of community and friendship...these are real attributes which support a healthy future for us all. Thank you, Walden!
--Submitted by a parent

Walden was the perfect choice for my son who is a very bright, slightly quirky learner. His teachers at every level have appreciated his strengths, made room for his interests in the classroom, and met him where he was in any areas needing support. We have been uniformly impressed with the staff and have watched them handle a few potentially difficult transitions with honesty and authenticity. This school is not a fancy place, but it makes up in heart for what it may lack in polish.
--Submitted by a parent

The school was a God send for my son. He learned what he needed academically in a loving environment. He grew emotionally and creatively through the help of the amazing staff. He misses Walden, but is doing very well in a public middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

Ah, a 'daycare' that has sent successful students towards excellent results in many public and private high school. The roster of Walden graduates who have gone on to lead successful lives, have great careers, contribute to their communities and, as an aside, graduate from some of the premier colleges in the country, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, The Claremont Schools, Berkeley, Stanford and many more. In terms of caring for and educating the whole student for a lifetime of participation and learning, there is no better school than Walden Center and School.
--Submitted by a parent

Walden is not a traditional 'sit at your desk - don't talk- obey - memorize' kind of school. It encourages creativity, open-mindedness, having and voicing your opinion without fear. Kids at Walden gain 'SELF-CONFIDENCE' which is something far more valuable than academics for success in life. All the graduates I've known have done very well in the career path they have chosen. I think the teachers collectively, harmoniously and successfuly run the school. Choosing Walden was one of the best things I've done for my son.
--Submitted by a parent

Walden has been a wonderful experience for my two daughters. One gregarious and the other slightly shy, they both are becoming very confident people and have had their creativity lovingly nurtured by the school and its wonderful teachers. Although class size is small and the friend pool can be limited, my girls have had great experiences with their peers. When times were tough they have learned great problem solving skills that will help them throughout their lives. Walden has been there not only for our kids but for the whole family and we are so glad that we chose to send our kids there even if it is a hippy school ! Love it!
--Submitted by a parent