Who We ARe
TOGETHER WE ARE WALDEN
Mission Statement
In partnership with families, Walden School provides an educational environment - both academic and social - that fosters a lifelong enthusiasm for learning and challenges individual students to reach their full potential so they may flourish in a diverse and changing world.
Core Values
Walden Nurtures…
Identity Statement
Walden School is a K-12 independent school community located in St. Matthews where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our students benefit from personalized learning, hands-on experiences, and connections to nature in an environment that celebrates individuality.
Why Walden
At Walden, academic, cultural, and religious differences are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated. We give students the knowledge, skills and values to succeed and accept responsibility in their lives.
In partnership with families, Walden fosters academic and intellectual development, complemented by a focus for moral, physical and psychological growth. Development in these areas is necessary to play an effective role in today’s multicultural society.
Why Families love Walden
Walden School is designed to accommodate the different rates of growth in students by providing small classes, a carefully planned and frequently reviewed college preparatory curriculum, and professional excellence in the faculty. Our unique and individualized educational experience is designed to nourish all aspects of a student’s educational and personal growth.
diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Walden School fosters a community of inclusion that respects, celebrates, and compassionately champions the culture, ethnicity, race, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identities of our LGBTQ community, and the personal diversity of each member of the Walden family. Walden strives to promote cultural competency and understanding through its curriculum, instruction, programming, and community outreach.
“Students at Walden embrace curiosity. They seek not only to discover themselves but seek out other perspectives...our diversity nurtures worldly compassion and understanding. ”
Our Strategic Vision
Listed below you will find Walden’s four overarching, strategic goals. These goals outline the future of our school’s development. Their implementation signifies the progressive evolution of Walden’s educational mission and institutional growth.
2022-25 Strategic Goals
1. Academics
Continuously enhance the breadth and quality of academic curriculum and programs
2. Social-Emotional Support
Deepen investment in social-emotional supports for students and families
3. High School Experience
Enrich the Walden High School experience
4. Operating Model
Redefine the go-forward operating model
Families Come First
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
At Walden our doors are always open to our families. we encourage a high level of involvement between students, parents and faculty; open dialogue is integral to our school mission.
COMPASSION RESOLUTION
During the 2013-14 school year, our K-12 students drafted a Compassion Resolution in response to an invitation from Compassionate Louisville, in support of Louisville’s commitment to the Compassionate Cities Movement. After submission to the mayor’s office, Walden officially became a “compassionate school” and among the first one hundred institutions locally to partner with the city in this progressive effort.
Each year during Walden's Day of Service, we reaffirm our pledge as a Compassionate School, showing our dedication to fostering understanding and making a positive impact in our community.
Our story began in 1975
THE HISTORY OF WALDEN
Since Walden School’s founding in 1975, there has been a strong emphasis on small class size and a strong fine arts education, to complement a rigorous curriculum grounded in critical thinking.
The Future of Walden
We're always striving for innovation and improving the educational experience of our students. Our Board of Trustees are key players in helping create and fulfill visions for development.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board is a forward-looking body focused on setting the mission, vision, and strategic plan and providing a roadmap for financial stability and enrollment growth in the future development of Walden.