Berkeley Parents Network: Walden School

Berkeley Parents Network

Walden School

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Walden School

Website for Walden School: www.walden-school.net

Dec 2007

Re: Peaceful, Kind, Elementary School in Oak/Berk???
Our peace loving son is loving Walden Center and School in Berkeley. It's a very safe, tolerant place. The kids are active, creative, vocal, readily ask for help from the wonderful yard staff, and have positive outlets for aggression. Playground violence and bullying are not tolerated - and the staff helps the kids find other ways to communicate. My preschooler loves to play on the bars with the big kids and they tolerate/support her very well. My son is a Harry Potter nut and was really into StarWars last year, but I've never seen the kids do gunplay. The fans get together and talk about the movies, characters, etc. Shirley

Dec 2007

We are considering Walden Center and School for our son who will be entering kindergarten next Fall. I have toured the school and really like what I saw. However, I haven't gotten a strong impression of the kindergarten teacher. I know she has been there a long time, but she was not very outspoken at the open house and I only observed her classroom for a short period of time on the tour. Does anyone have any feedback about her strengths and weaknesses and what it was like for your child in her classroom? Thanks so much.

My two children went to Walden kindergarten (and beyond) and I think the teacher is absolutely wonderful. She is more focused on the children in that year's class than on their parents, or on prospective parents; but once she has taught your child she will know her, all her peculiarities and preferences. When my daughter goes back for social events (after almost 4 years away from Walden) that teacher recognizes her, greets her warmly, looks deeply into her, and my daughter is proud to be remembered and have her growth recognized and appreciated. (My son is more reserved but still can't help smiling when greeted by her.) She sees truths and encourages their best qualities. - a big fan

Walden is a secret treasure chest and the kindergarten teacher is one of its gems. My son had a fantastic kindergarten experience. The teacher has deep, deep respect for the needs of the children including their need for independent work. She comes forward in a quiet, clear, and decisive way to guide the children as needed. I would not let her relative quite throw you off, it is just her way of showing respect for the children and the hard work they are doing. Liza

I have two children at Walden, and they both had a great kindergarten year. At Walden, kindergarten is more about reading readiness, and many children learn to read in first grade. The kindergarten is a full school day, but time spent sitting and concentrating is alternated with time to run around and play outside. For my children, and I think for most others, this set-up was developmentally perfect. The teacher is warm and kind, and she is especially good at incorporating music into the classroom. She welcomes the children so that they feel safe and happy and ready to learn. The math program at Walden, beginning in kindergarten, has been very effective for my children. Using blocks and other manipulatives in the early years, they really understand math concepts rather than just memorizing techniques. By the end of kindergarten, my older child was inspired to spend weeks trying to count as high as he could. I encourage you to apply! Jennifer

My son attends Walden Center and School and I've been completely happy with it, year after year. It's a place where individual creativity is truly given a place to thrive and it seems to me the happiest group of students I've ever seen at a school. My son is now a sixth grader and has never once not wanted to come to school. My son had the current Kindergarten teacher many years ago as a kindergartner. He still says she is his favorite teacher, even after all these years. Incredibly sweet, kind, intelligent and attuned to each student. I always felt she is a quintessential Kindergarten teacher. Children really respond to her warmth. I have no idea why she seemed reserved to you in the open house, but that is not my experience of her. I highly recommend both Walden and the kindergarten program. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like more specific informaiton. ekl

My son is currently in the Lower Group (kindergarten) at Walden. We both love the school, and we especially love the kindergarten teacher, Pam Meredith. Pam genuinely loves each and every one of her students -- she has told me that each year she thinks of each child as a gift to open, as their unique personalities unfold. She is very nurturing, and very good at helping each child develop their strengths. She is gentle, but firm when necessary. She is in complete control of the classroom but without being overbearing about it. Each child feels free to speak up, and they do so, often.

I especially like the way Pam teaches math skills, and as a math/science person myself, I'm not easily impressed. For example, she has the kids count out 10 or 12 of a small object (like goldfish crackers), and then has them group the objects by 2's, by 3's, by 4's, etc., and has them count how many groups of 2,3, etc, and how many objects are in the remainder (e.g. 2 groups of 4 with 2 in the remainder if there are 10 objects total). This is a very visual, hands-on way of laying the foundation for later math skills.

She also has each child keep a journal -- in pictures, and then with letters and words as their writing skills develop.

All of the teachers at Walden are fabulous -- my son enjoys the music, art, Spanish, drama, and after school teachers as much as his classroom teacher. But of all the fabulous teachers at Walden, I think that Pam is especially wonderful.

I looked at something like 17 schools (public, private, and charter) before choosing Walden. I was looking for a warm, nurturing environment, a low child/adult ratio, a hands-on approach to learning, and an active and involved parent community. I found all of that at Walden, and I definitely recommend the school and all of the teachers highly. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me. Diane

My older son ( now in the middle group at Walden )truly enjoyed having Pamela as a teacher. We absolutely adore her.She is sweet,kind of shy which is why you might not have heard much from her at the open house or tour.She is kind and knows just how to calmly support the children to find their way.She is very loving . The only weakness we found was that she had to have another teacher show her how to start a campfire on the camping trip:) My youngest will be in her class next fall, and he is so excited. If you have any more questions feel free to email me. shannon

We have two kids in Walden, a fourth grader who transferred from another school, and a second grader who was in Kindergarten at Walden. My daughter had a wonderful experience with Pamela. More generally, I would say that Pamela is great with transitioning kids into elementary school. She is extremely loving, accepting, and flexible with each child, bringing them forward and preparing them for first grade. This includes high energy boys as well: I wish my son had experienced her class. More generally, I would recommend that if you have questions or need to see more of her work with the kids that you ask the school if you can observe her class again. I cannot say enough good things about Walden. I think it is a great place for nearly every child to learn and grow. I only wish they had a middle school, too. Very Happy Walden Parent

This is in reference to the kindergarten teacher at Walden. I want you all to know how great Pam is, even though my son did not have her. My interactions and his interactions have been so positive. As a former preschool director and teacher, I recommend her highly. Her soft spoken and loving approach is a perfect introduction to elementary education. I live next door to the school and can often hear her calm, supportive yet firm voice from my back porch. It is a pleasure to listen to her explainations, instuctions and comments to the children. I have observed her at many community event, always 100% there for the children. She is truly gifted and a gift. Ruth

Oct 2007

Re: Lonely 2nd grader is the only African American in her class
Please have a look at Walden Center & School. I know you asked specifically for Oakland, but it is central Berkeley very close to many parts of Oakland and many students there are coming from Oakland. It is a small nurturing school, and the kids are generally friendly and inclusive. For its size I think it fairs better in many areas of divesity than many other private schools. There is diversity among the teachers and staff too, including African American and male teachers which I think is vital in celebrating, honoring and modeling diversity to kids. anon

May 2007

I am considering Walden School for my son, who will be entering kindergarten this fall. I have read the reviews in the archive, which are largely positive, but the most recent is two years old, and most are older. I'm interested in hearing from parents with more recent experience with the school about how you and your child(ren) feel about the school. Does your child like school? Are they making good progress academically? It sounds like everyone loves the art/drama/music there, but there's less information about the math and science program. What math and science topics are covered, and what level of math skills do the kids typically attain by 6th grade? How do Walden grads do in middle school? I'm also interested in hearing feedback on the before and after school programs -- again, does your kid like it, and what do they do? I'm also kind of curious why Walden still has openings this time of year, when most other private schools are full with waiting lists? Thanks for any and all feedback! -- a prospective Walden parent

My son is in 1st grade at Walden School. I cannot imagine him at school anywhere else. He is very bright and social, and the small class sizes allow the teachers to challenge the children at different levels. His kindergarten year was absolutely magical. A perfect balance was struck between inside/outside play, social/academic expectations, nurturing/independence. This year he has flourished academically. He is reading and excited about absolutely everything they have studied. His teacher is extremely competent, organized, and has the calm demeanor required by a group of 6 year olds. The Music and Drama programs are also very challenging, and the Visual Arts give him yet another creative outlet, one that I am not sure he would explore as fully as he now has the opportunity to do. As a student, my son is enormously invested in his own learning. For the recent Science Night, all the students grades 1-6 did an independent science project using the Scientific Inquiry model. It was amazing to see how such a goal is realized for 6 year olds, 8 year olds and then 10 year olds. My son's project, as well as his classmates', all seemed completely child driven. We are very happy at Walden School. A current Walden parent

My daughter is finishing the fourth grade at Walden and both she and we love it. You asked specifically about the non-arts curriculum: For us the science has also been a strong point; there is a science fair every spring and the kids work hard on their projects which they present for others at the school using the scientific method. While there is the basic necessary memorization involved in sections on anatomy, astronomy etc., much of the science curriculum is experimental, experientially based so that the kids really relate to and understand the concepts of science. I think the math curriculum is prety much on par with other schools - they use the standard math work books for each grade level as well as integrating other projects. I'm so happy that my daughter isn't spending all of her time in school just memorizing facts for the standardized tests. Instead she is learning analytical thinking skills, how to give presentations, the fundamentals of writing research papers, AND a love for learning. These are skills which will serve her through life. Although my older daughter didn't go to Walden, many of her friends did and they are now at NYU, various UCs and University of Chicago etc. Feel free to contact me if you have other questions. monika

Our family has been at Walden for five years, and my children are in the first and fourth grades. They both like school a lot. In math, the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders generally follow the same curriculum as in the Berkeley and Albany public schools. We were especially happy with the Middle Group (second and third grades) math program. The teacher let the children who were ready work ahead, and each child seemed to get an individual homework assignment. We have also been happy with the first grade teacher, who is in her second year at Walden. Our child has made great progress in reading and math. I think Walden is the best elementary school in Berkeley! Jennifer N.

This is my son's 3rd year at Walden (we transferred from a public school). I think it is the best thing I've done for my son. For one thing, all the children are happy in that school because Walden provides a very nurturing, comfortable environment for them. In this atmosphere, children learn much more without feeling forced. Most important, the school teaches them to think, to reason, to question, to use given information to draw a conclusion. Those are the skills the children will need for a good math/science education (I have MS in Computer Science). I wish you could see the science projects the students put together this year. It was equivalent to what we had done in middle school. About 50% of the students go to public schools after Walden. I've talked to the parents of those students, and they all do very well. Some are under the impression that math and science education is not strong because it doesn't follow the traditional methods, such as 'read and memorize your text book, then repeat what you learned'. My observation is they learn more while doing the experiments or solving mathematical puzzles and they have fun at the same time. Please feel free to contact me if you need more information. Ani

Walden is a different kind of private school. If you are looking for souped-up high-pressure academics, it may not be the place for your child and your family. But if you are looking for a truly developmental school, you have found it. The school does not buy into the “homework hype” that most kids are subjected to these days beginning in K. Homework is truly optional for K and 1st, and very light for 2nd and 3rd. By 4th, there is apparently quite a bit more, although it isn’t endless repetitive worksheets. (My kids are in 1st and 3rd.) That does not mean math, science, and all the academics, are not rigorously taught. They are. But the school is not high pressure. My understanding is that kids do very well after Walden; I can’t speak to that yet from personal experience, although I am very confident that this is the case. Walden has all the arts and other enrichment opportunities of other private schools (actually more art than most, Spanish, many field trips and overnights). To me, these things are more than enrichment. They are integral to a well-rounded school experience.

Why is enrollment lower than many privates? I can only venture a guess that the school is not as attractive to some people who can pay private tuition precisely because it isn’t high pressure.

Also the school is small and the campus is small. It isn’t glitzy, but it is very warm and comfortable, which in my opinion is much more important to kids than fancy. I know people who anxiously compete for the “right” preschool based on where they think their child should go to college. Tracking from age 3 doesn’t work for me. And Walden isn’t like that. I really believe it a hidden gem. You are welcome to email me directly with further questions. c_scott

I am a parent of a current Walden student and have a graduate as well. To answer some of your questions: Both of my kids love(d) Walden. They never complain about going to school. They love their teachers, and are fully engaged in the work they do at school (and at home). My older daughter went on to another private middle school and had absolutely no problems transitioning to what appears to be a more academically rigorous program, with grades and testing.

Yes, the arts and drama program are first rate- I don't think many other schools' programs come close to what the kids at Walden get in terms of the arts. With our older daugher (now in 8th grade), we were concerned about the level of math and science, mostly because we just weren't sure where she should be, and since there are no letter grades or testing, we didn't have ''proof'' of how she measured up. But she is doing fantastic in math, and has a real understanding of the concepts and mechanics. She is on track to be in Honors Geometry in the fall at Berkeley High. Neither of our girls are fond of science, but I would say that the hands-on science at Walden, especially in the ''middle group'' is stimulating and really gets kids thinking as scientists- ''what happens if?'' and ''why did that happen?'' The teachers weave the subjects together (learning strands) so kids are learning topics in depth- ie. they might study the rainforest and bring that subject into math and language arts, as well as science.

A few other positives- there is true diversity at Walden- economic, racial, LGBT. The community is small and most families form strong friendship bonds over the years. There is very low teacher turnover- many teachers have been at Walden for 10-20+ years! And yes, it's private, but the cost is among the lowest in the Bay Area.

As to why there are still spaces- I can't say. I know that many people who consider Walden are weighing that choice against public school, and many will go that route instead. We have had such a positive experience at Walden, I could go on and on. Feel free to email me with any more questions.... christa

My son is in his first year at Walden and I could not be more thrilled with the school. The staff and faculty show amazing commitment to the students. Every faculty and staff member knows the name and personality of every student. They genuinely care and nurture each student and allow them to be individuals. Children are allowed to learn in their own way-hence a developmental model and yet the pace of learning is quick and efficient. All subjects are weighted equally so that art is as important as math- my son is truly getting a well-rounded education. I am truly grateful for Walden and would not want him anywhere else. Walden is a true gift of a school for those fortunate enough to find it. liz

I'm glad a current Walden parent gave their review, since the questioner asked for recent experience, but I would like to give my take on Walden as a graduate (definitely not recent!). Walden was one of the things I am most grateful to my parents for. The experience of Walden - being heard, valued, nurtured and respected regardless of my age - was so important to my developing personality, I doubt I would have been the same person without it. The core values of Walden I still use everyday, and even though the programs have changed over the years (less camping now, more spanish), the gestalt is still the same. I went to their Spring Fair a few weeks ago and I saw the same kind of confidence in the current student body that we had 25 years ago. I really believe that Walden is the best private school for helping kids grow into themselves as healthy, well rounded people. Middle school was difficult, the concepts of conformity and rote memorization were alien, but I was happy at Berkeley High and I discovered that what Walden didn't provide in academic discipline it more than made up for in self-directed learning and love of knowledge. Proud to be a Walden Kid (class of '80) Jennifer

My second grader is finishing his first year at Walden and we are so relieved that our son's academic career didn't peak at his beloved preschool. We tried three different elementary schools before finding Walden. He has blossomed at Walden, both academically and socially. (Walden is a developmental school, not to be confused w/Waldorf.) The only drawback is that he never wants to play hooky - he'd rather be at school. The kids treat each other well, the teachers are warm, competent and fun, the art and drama/dance programs are phenomenal. I think Walden still has a few openings for the younger kids. The school's located on the corner of Dwight and McKinley, a block below MLK in Berkeley. Shirley

March 2007

Do you want a truly developmental elementary school instead of one that masquerades as “developmental” while under the surface they are exerting high academic pressure on very young children, even while claiming they don’t buy the “No Child Left Behind” view of education?

We were drawn to Walden for our two children because we didn’t feel we would be shut out of our children’s lives at school, but instead would be part of a warm community of caring teachers, parents, and children.

We chose Walden because the teachers personally connect with every child, and address their individual academic needs.

We chose Walden because it is immersed in the arts: The fulltime arts teachers are a central part of the staff, and drama/dance, music and visual arts are all taught twice a week.

Our children are thriving there.

Walden still has a few spaces for Kindergarten (2007/08). If you have questions about the school, you can visit www.walden- school.net or call 841-7248. Constance

Nov 2006

Re: Alternative/arts based public school?
Although it has been some time since my son attended, Walden Center & School is what you're looking for! They have an arts-based curriculum, with art, drama (which often includes dance), and music all being an integral part of the curriculum. Check it out. They are on McKinley at Dwight in Berkeley. Deb

July 2005

Re: Seeking arts-based elementary school for entering kindergarten

We have been extremely happy with Walden School and think of it as a little gem in the world of schools. It is a small, nuturing arts-based environment that does a great job at catering to kids throughout the spectrum of learning abilities. Because it is small with a low student to teacher ratio, kids' work can be individualized to their ability. I'd would definitely encourage you to check it out for yourself. mmann

our daughter has had a wonderful experience at Walden for the past 2 years (and she's entering 2nd grade there in fall)and I adore it also. It's arts-based with every class having art, music, and drama/movement classes each twice a week as well as incorporated into the other curricula. I have seen my daughter thrive with an interest in sciences deepening as a result of the multi-modal curriculum. The atmosphere is very relaxed, nurturing, and childhood-friendly. And, while she started there loving to draw yet rarely if ever singing, she has been drawing less (though still enjoys it) and has been teaching our family dozens of new songs. you can e-mail me if you have any questions, Chris

April 2005

Re: Kids of GLBT: Where do they go to School? (April 2005)
I'm a little late in jumping in here, but I wanted to let you all know that Walden Center & School in Berkeley is a wonderful place for kids from GLBT families! Our son is one of a number of kids from GLBT families. All kinds of diversity is welcome and honored at Walden.

Walden (not be confused with Waldorf) is a small independent school of about 90 students K- 6 - and the parent/teacher community is fabulous. It's like a village that is helping us to raise our son, not an institution where we hope he will survive.

There are openings for the 2005-2006 school year in kindergarten and the upper group (grades 4-6). For more information, you can check out www.walden-school.net or call 841-7248 and leave a message for Cristin Costello.

I am happy to answer questions about our experience at Walden. B Avalon

March 2005

I have a child entering kindergarten in the Fall and we are looking at the Walden Center and School. I'm sold on the type of education they offer but am looking for pros and cons that people may be able to offer on the school and its community as a whole. Thanks. Sarah

Our daughter is in second grade at Walden Center and School and we couldn't be happier. She started out at a Berkeley Public School and we found she just was not thriving in her particular situation there and I felt she was at risk of developing a negative attitude toward school. At Walden she is thriving. All of the teacher's are great, nuturing and truly take a personal interest in the children. Additionally, we enjoy the Walden Community and friends that she has made at the school.

Nov 2003

I'd love to get some feedback on Walden School in Berkeley.I'd like to hear both about current experiences and also about how kids have fared at integrating into other schools after Walden. monika

I have had a child at Walden for several years, and I strongly recommend the school for families looking for an inclusive, loving environment that lets children develop at their own pace and encourages creativity. The school's strengths are its strong arts focus with full time art, drama/dance and music teachers and its creation of a tolerant, respectful community among the kids. The drama/dance component of the curriculum is particularly central in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades with a large, elaborate production at the end of each school year. Although graduates seem to go on to a variety of middle and high schools (mostly public, but Maybeck, Bentley and Athenian also come to mind), this may not be the right choice for families interested in a more traditional academic program, test preparation or competition. The school, with its small, funky site and parents performing most of the janitorial and other maintainance related tasks for tuition exchange, may also not be a good fit for those looking for a more traditional campus.

We give two thumbs up for Walden Center & School! Couldn't be happier! Walden is teacher collective, and so there is no administration dictating what must be done in the classroom. Being a cooperative requires EXTRA dedication on the part of the teachers who work cooperatively in determining the curriculuum. They use what works, not what someone in Sacramento tells them they have to use. The staff are all loving and generous, really getting to know all the kids in this small (90 students) K-6 school. Our son is in 1st grade and LOVES going to school. There are mixed grade classes for 2nd - 3rd grades and 4th-5th-6th grades. Weekly drama/movement, spanish, music and art. Very important to us is that Walden is like a community that is also a school. Diversity is good for such a small school, which is important to us as lesbian moms. I could go on and on. Please email me directly if you have other questions. B Avalon

I would agree with most of the recent postings with a few differences-

Walden fosters deep understanding and intellectual development. It is very hands on - my child now does exceptionally well in math and science. I attribute this in part to Walden's focus on music and art instruction which educational research has shown to develop mathematical abilities, and in the way students were required to verbalize all their science and math lessons. I do agree it is not big on test taking skills so we had her tutored in that area. Though generally she performs well on subject area tests in school.

In terms of cleaning - getting down with the basics. Performing these basic tasks forms community - it is the way you get to know the other parents, by working together and adding TLC to the classroom. Some parents do other jobs during the day like Office Parent, Classroom Assistant, Construction, or fundraising. Parents can opt out of this by paying more tuition or paying for a substitute when they can't make their work time. Parents who need more scholarship are often granted more hours or specially skilled jobs. I often say that when you go to other schools you gain an education but at Walden you gain an exceptional education AND a family. Walden teachers there have always happily and enthusiastically gone the distance for my child.

FYI- Walden Center and School is not a Waldorf school, this is a common confusion, one that I shared when I first heard the name, Walden has its own very independent, very dedicated history which greatly influences its path thru today. c e c

To parents thinking about sending their child to a school that is a teacher cooperative (like Walden) or a parent coop (like Crestmont). Others have pointed out the advantages of these alternative structures, but there can also be disadvantages. One can be that if you have a serious disagreement or conflict with your child's teacher it may be very difficult to figure out who to speak with after you have tried and failed in working with the teacher directly. Such difficulties are often hard to resolve by talking with other teachers (the peers of the teacher in question).

The NPN school directory lists only very positive comments about Walden School in Berkeley, and I'm wondering about other views. Did you or someone you know leave the school? If so, why? The arts seem great, but how is the quality of the academics? How receptive is the teaching collective to parents' views or concerns? How was it to contribute 50 hours per school year? What was your experience with the before and after school care? What kinds of private schools do children leaving the school get into to? Thank you! Interested Parent

To the Interested Parent looking for more information about Walden school: Our experience is several years old, and quite mixed. I don't think the Berkeley Parents' Network likes to post negative comments about schools, so please contact me directly if you are interested in hearing more. L

[Editor note] We do accept negative reviews but only if they meet the policy. The policy about negative reviews is on the website here: http://parents.berkeley.edu/FAQ/rec.html#neg

to the person eliciting other than positive experiences at Walden; go to the info. meeting and/ or school tour, you will probably then know whether the school is a good match for you and your family. It is unfair to ask for only negative experiences; it could set up a lot of rumours and unfair bashing. We are very happy there. You will either love it or else you will find another school that better suits your own expectations. There is an abundance of great schools in the East Bay. Chris

Our oldest daughter is in the Kindergarten class at Walden so I can't answer all your questions, but we have had a wonderful experience thus far. The teacher makes herself available on a daily basis for any type of questions or concerns and will always schedule a conference if you want one, and gives each family her phone number before the start of the school year; someone who has been there longer could tell you how things are resolved if there is a major conflict with a teacher, but I have found teachers there very available and approachable so that I can't see issues becoming irreconcilable as things are dealt with if or when they arise. As for the academics, you would have to be comfortable with Walden's philosophy and atmosphere to send your child there. If you are looking for a more traditional approach which includes testing, you would be happier with a public school or more traditional private school. The basic philosophy I would say includes guiding each child at his/ her own pace, encouraging strong motivation, and the arts are an essential component of academics and learning, not an extracurricular time filler. I see relaxed motivated children interested in learning throughout the grades at Walden and my understanding is that they go on to a variety of the private middle schools, as well as Berkeley public schools and the Community School (private I think or else charter) which was started by families from several of the schools (including Walden) that go through 6th grade, so it is just 7th and 8th grade. Chris

Oct 2003

Re: Racially Diverse Private Schools

I highly recommend also looking at WALDEN SCHOOL in Berkeley (no, no affiliation with Waldorf schools or methods.) We only looked at Walden and Crestmont so I can't compare to the others you mentioned but I hear Walden has more similarities to Aurora and Berkwood Hedge (nearby.) The STAFF is wonderful and diverse- racially, and gender too (2 male teachers and 1 teaching assistant,) which is nice to come by in an elementary school. It has an arts-based curriculum, each class has art and drama and music (also Spanish and sign language) twice a week. The student body is diverse, though I would not say radically- but it is either the same or better than other private schools. a bonus is that you can opt to do 50 hours work commitment for the school year and reduce tuition by $2000 making it one of the most affordable of the private schools (crestmont is slightly less, that is why we didn't look at the others.) In theory that might attract economic diversity, but maybe not because 8000 vs. 12000 is still a lot. It is a warm vibrant community and the children seem happy and excited to be there. You can call 841-7248 for information and see if it fits for your family. (located on McKinley off Dwight Ave.)
happy mom and kindergartener

January 2003

Walden Center and School in Berkeley : My daughter attended Walden Center and School from 1st through 6th grades. This is a privately founded school not related to any other. It is not a ''Waldorf'' school, common misconception.

The school provided excellent academic preparation in a slightly different environment. It is an arts based curriculum with full time teachers in drama, music, and studio arts. There is no elementary school in the area which provides a finer environment in the arts. The teachers are wonderful. Students have ALL the arts twice a week, they do not need to choose. Current studies are showing that this type of environment is excellent for developing upper reasoning math skills, which it has done for my daughter. When half the class is in art, the other half is in academics: Language, Science or Math. Makes for very small academic classes like 8-12 depending on the year. Spanish starts in the early years - I think 1st or 2nd grade, also an excellent program - hard to match in Middle School.

The philosophy is grounded in peace education, very diverse, conflict resolution is practised naturally- not a ''special'' subject. When you go to Walden you become part of an extended family. There are no grades, tests or written records kept. This irritates some people. My daughter stayed through sixth grade, she is doing extremely well at Berkeley Montessori Middle School. c

Re: School for HIGHLY spirited child (September 2002)
My son just started kindergarten at Walden Center & School in central Berkeley. He's not especially spirited in the way you mean, but the school seems to leave a lot of time for outdoor free play between more structured activities. Walden is definitely an alternative school and not right for everyone. There are mixed-age classes, no standardized testing, and a lot of integration of the arts into all types of lessons. The teachers seem to understand what kids are like and what they need, so it might be a good fit for you. Jennifer

Dec. 2002

I recently went to an information session for Walden School and was impressed. The one recommendation for Walden on the website is 4 years old. I'd like some more current feedback. What do you consider the pros and cons? It sounds like a wonderful environment but since it is a pretty alternative school I'd like some input on that. We are considering it for our son next year. Thanks, Laurel

My son is in kindergarten at Walden, and we're very happy with the school. There are only 14 kids in his class, and the kindergarten teacher, Pam, is wonderful. All the classes get art, music, drama, and Spanish twice a week. The school doesn't have traditional grades, but instead has mixed-age classes. For example, the middle group is mostly 7 & 8 year olds. I think that's an advantage because the teachers get to know the kids better, and the kids can do whatever work they're ready for. The whole school has only about 90 kids, and they all play outside together at lunchtime. They all get to know each other, and the older ones seem to watch out for the younger ones. There's also a really good aftercare program. Jennifer N.

April 1998

Our son is just finishing his first (Kindergarten) year at Walden, and we are very happy there. It is not a chain :-)---there is no other associated Walden school.

It's a small school (around 80 kids in K-6), with an strong focus on the arts. The kids have music, art, and drama (and Spanish) twice a week, with special teachers who teach only these subjects. It's educational philosophy is "progressive"---no grades, multi-age classrooms, experiential learning. The social atmosphere is wonderful---kids of all ages mingle on the playground, and the social and emotional development of the children is seen as very important. The school is also committed to diversity. Three of the teachers are African-American, one is Thai, one is Palestinian, and many of the kids are kids of color. Two of the teachers are males, too, which is really nice for the boys.

Lindsay

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