From Lower to High School, we encourage all of our students to get involved with programs that nurture a passion for scholarly and interest-based activities. In addition to augmenting a robust scholarship application, our clubs bolster student camaraderie and Walden community involvement. Each club is sponsored by at least one faculty or Walden parent who facilitates club competitions, meetings and activities. Read more below about the variety of clubs offered in each school division!

LOWER SCHOOL

Chess Club • Chess Education Foundation

Learning chess benefits children's cognitive development by enhancing perception, concentration, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It is an enjoyable and educational sport that fosters healthy competition, bringing children together. Its benefits extend beyond the chessboard.

Chinese Club • Leyah Durham

Discover all things Chinese with the Lower School Chinese Club hosted by Walden's very own Durham Family! Club participants will learn about Chinese Zodiacs, songs, stories, characters, paintings, crafts, games, the use of chopsticks, and the four tones for speaking Chinese.

COSTUME DESIGN CLUB • EMILY TOWER

Students will experience behind-the-scenes magic for the school play by assisting with the production of the costumes. Designing, measuring, cutting, and sewing are some of the skills that students will learn during this club.  Collaboration with students, teachers, and volunteers helps make the Walden school play so special and the costume design club is a great way to let creativity shine!

Dance Club • Dr. Melissa Sutherland

All Lower School students of any dance ability level are welcome to join the club that focuses on ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques.

K-Kids • Grade 4 •  Genevieve Montgomery

K-Kids is a service club sponsored by Kiwanis International of St. Matthews. K-Kids is for any student in 4th Grade. K-Kids meets once a month during the school day in Mrs. Green's classroom. There are at least two outside-of-school events. The club raises money to purchase books for Kosair Children's Hospital and to purchase items for Wayside Christian Mission during the December holidays.

MINI MATH MONSTERS • Donna Whitis

Design, engineer, tinker, and explore principles of mathematics using nontraditional activities and craft projects.

Quick Recall Team • Grades 4-5 • Amy Stevens & Debbie Castleton

Lower School Quick Recall is an academic team for students in 4th-5th Grade. It is similar to Jeopardy, except you play on a team! We compete against other schools in the area through the Kentucky Association for Academic Competition. Practices will start in mid to late September, and the team will meet Wednesday mornings at 7:00am through the middle of January. We will participate in the KAAC District competition in mid-January, and then move on to the Regional competition if we qualify.

Science Hikes • Max Haupt

Science Hikes at Walden School are incredible opportunities for students and families to engage in adventurous hiking trips. These outings immerse participants in nature's captivating beauty and entail stimulating hands-on science activities. By venturing outdoors, students observe natural phenomena firsthand, fostering an appreciation for the world around them. Hands-on science activities during expeditions enhance learning, enabling students to apply scientific concepts practically.

Summer Garden Club • Dr. Kristie Goodwin

Over the summer, Lower School students tend to the Walden vegetable and pollinator gardens. Weeding, watering, and planting both gardens are excellent opportunities for volunteer service. You might even be able to harvest a few veggies!

Middle School

Builders Club • Susie Hencye

Builders Club is a service organization for Middle School students (Grades 5-8), sponsored by the St. Mathews chapter of Kiwanis International. The club meets on Fridays during lunch about twice per month. The club participates in We Day, by sponsoring at least one local and one global service project annually.

Chess Club • Chess Education Foundation

Learning chess benefits children's cognitive development by enhancing perception, concentration, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It is an enjoyable and educational sport that fosters healthy competition, bringing children together. Its benefits extend beyond the chessboard.

Girls Who Code • Amber Korte & Dr. Kristie Goodwin

For Grades 6-12: Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Girls Who Code meetings will include team-building activities, spotlights on current and past women in tech, and learning to-code activities.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR SOCIETY • Maris Elder

Walden Middle School's Honor Society recognizes students for academic achievement and promotes scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Members are selected for membership in the fall of 8th Grade based on earning a 4.0 GPA at the end of 7th grade. The club meets once a month during the school day.

Middle School KUNA • Jahnna Harvey & Rachel Yan

Middle School KUNA (Kentucky United Nations Assembly) is offered for students interested in international issues and cultures. This club is open to students in the 6-8th Grades with meetings held generally during lunch on a weekly basis. The club is part of the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association. A statewide conference is held every spring where students select a United Nations member country and represent the country at the conference.

Middle School KYA

The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is an expanded, educational opportunity in which students serve as part of a model state government. KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the Commonwealth.

Quick Recall Team • 6th-8th Grade • Doug Mory & Dr. Natalie Miller

Middle School Quick Recall is an academic team for students in 6th-8th Grade. It is similar to Jeopardy, except you play on a team! We compete against other schools in the area through the Kentucky Association for Academic Competition. Practices will start in mid to late September, and the team will meet Wednesday mornings at 7:00am through the middle of January. We will participate in the KAAC District competition in mid-January, and then move on to the Regional competition if we qualify.

Science Hikes • Max Haupt

Science Hikes at Walden School are incredible opportunities for students and families to engage in adventurous hiking trips. These outings immerse participants in nature's captivating beauty and entail stimulating hands-on science activities. By venturing outdoors, students observe natural phenomena firsthand, fostering an appreciation for the world around them. Hands-on science activities during expeditions enhance learning, enabling students to apply scientific concepts practically.

TikTok Club • Tremain Townsend

For Grades 7-8: The TikTok Club is dedicated to providing content on Walden School’s TikTok account. Students are actively involved in making fun, engaging videos that promote the core values and mission of our school.

High School

Allies for Racial Equity (A.R.E.) • Kim Sorise

The Allies for Racial Equity (A.R.E.) Club at Walden School is a determined, diverse group that embraces differences and fosters inclusivity. Through discussions, workshops, and activities, the club encourages empathy, challenges biases, and organizes projects to promote unity and equality. All High School students are invited to join in cultivating a respectful, diverse school community.

BAnned Book Club • David Gross

The Banned Book Club at Walden School explores censored literature through discussions and analysis to understand the impact of censorship on society. The club aims to encourage open-mindedness and intellectual freedom by engaging with controversial texts. By studying banned books, students gain insight into the complexities of censorship and storytelling. The club upholds free expression principles and promotes diverse perspectives in literature.

Chess Club • Chess Education Foundation

Learning chess benefits student’s cognitive development by enhancing perception, concentration, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It is an enjoyable and educational sport that fosters healthy competition, bringing people together. Its benefits extend beyond the chessboard!

D&D Club • Thomas Hirn

Are you an avid fan of Dungeons & Dragons? Do you find yourself lost in fantastical realms, battling fearsome creatures, and unraveling intriguing mysteries? Look no further! The ever-popular D&D Club at Walden School eagerly invites you to join us and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of imaginative gameplay.

Environmental Club

 Walden's Environmental Club brings together environmentally-minded students who have a passion for bettering our community.  Their main activity is running Walden's recycling program. Each year these students push Walden to be more environmentally conscious and to lessen our impact on the earth.

Girl Up

Walden’s Girl Up chapter engages students to stand up for girls, empower each other, and change our world by becoming advocates and agents of progress. Girl Up is a campaign partnered with the United Nations to support its programs in several developing countries to give girls an equal chance for education, health, social and economic opportunities, and a life free from violence.

Kiva

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals or groups lend as little as $25 to help create opportunities around the world.

KUNA 

The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is a 3-day experiential learning conference in which students participate directly in simulated international diplomacy. The big difference between high school KUNA and middle school KUNA is that the high school club is very student-driven. KUNA offers students the opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with a wide variety of perspectives and global issues.

KYA

The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a 3-day experiential learning conference in which students serve as part of a model state government. KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the Commonwealth.

PRIDE Club • Christen Brown

The Walden Pride Club advocates and raises awareness of LGBTQ issues, both regional and global; it seeks to empower the solidarity between the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Walden Pride Day includes guest speakers, humanitarian fundraising, and the celebration of acceptance, respect, and community inclusion for all.

National Honor Society • MARIS ELDER

The National Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship (cumulative 3.75 GPA), leadership, service, and character. Students are considered for membership - and invited to apply - each spring semester that they become eligible (beginning sophomore year).

Spanish Club • Bailey Hidalgo

Spanish Club is a gathering of students interested in learning and celebrating the Hispanic cultures. The students seek to experience and learn about food, music, dance, art, and traditions from various Hispanic countries in our world while they practice the language and develop leadership and teamwork.

Spanish National Honor Society

Spanish National Honor Society is an international academic honor society focused on Spanish language excellence in secondary education and promotes a continuity of interest in Spanish studies. Its motto is "¡Todos a una!" (All Together for One Goal). Walden's chapter is named "La Catrina", after a Mexican folklore character.

WALDEN LITERARY Journal • Dr. Adam Coombs

The Walden Literary Journal staff is allowed to focus on creative and academic writing, honing their skills for classroom projects and the final project at the end of the year - the annual publication of the Walden Literary Journal, Wild and Free. Every year, staff members submit their writings and collect other students’ creative work (including writing and artwork).

Walden Student Council • Brad Kimbrough

Walden Student Council represents student interests, acts as the liaison to the administration of the School, and organizes high school activities and events.  WSC is made up of twelve students elected by their peers: Student Body President, Student Body Vice-President, Student Body Treasurer, Student Body Secretary, and two representatives from each class.

Y-Club (Service Club)

The Y-Club, or Student Y, is a student-led program for Middle and High School students (Grades 6-12) interested in making an impact in local and global communities. Student Y is a way for schools to engage in meaningful service learning projects throughout the school year, and develop into compassionate community leaders. Student Y promotes youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living through civic engagement, servant leadership, and character development.

Yearbook Club • DR. ADAM COOMBS

The Yearbook Club is a vibrant and creative group of students committed to capturing the essence and legacy of the Walden School experience.
Led by a team of passionate editors, the Yearbook Club ensures that every meaningful moment of the academic year is memorialized in the pages of our annual yearbook. All grade levels (K-12) are represented in the yearbook.