Lower School
Building a foundation of thoughtful practices.
Our lower school provides the foundational steps toward a love of learning. By kindling in students a passion for self-discovery that will persist throughout their lives we are providing the power of inquisitive learning.
Walden programs draw from a range of learning-centered best practices for exploring and mastering how to learn and how to think.
Readiness for learning is not indicated best by age or grade. It is not the extent of a student's knowledge of a particular subject, but rather how the student applies this knowledge that ensures success.
core curriculum
english language arts
Language arts are at the heart of learning at Walden.
Through rich literature, writing workshops, and daily discussions, students build strong reading, writing, and communication skills.
Our program follows national power standards in a clear, sequential order so students develop confidence and fluency step by step. In our multi-age classrooms, each child works at their own level and progresses as they master essential skills.
mathematics
Math at Walden is active, hands-on, and meaningful.
Students explore mathematical concepts through real-world problem solving, games, and projects that make numbers come alive.
Our math curriculum follows power standards in sequential order, helping students build a solid foundation from one concept to the next. In our multi-age setting, learners move at their own pace while teachers guide them toward deeper understanding and mastery.
science
Science at Walden is driven by curiosity and discovery.
Students ask questions, design experiments, and investigate the world around them through observation and hands-on exploration.
Science is fully integrated with literacy and math, allowing students to read, write, and think like scientists within each Unit of Inquiry. Every investigation builds critical thinking and a lasting sense of wonder.
soCial studies and Geography
Our social studies and geography program helps students understand how people, places, and systems are connected.
Each Unit of Inquiry weaves together history, geography, and culture, encouraging students to see the world from multiple perspectives. Whether mapping communities, studying early civilizations, or exploring migration and global change, students develop empathy, awareness, and a strong sense of belonging in a diverse world.
arts integration
At Walden, the arts are not an add-on but an essential part of how students learn and demonstrate understanding.
Every Unit of Inquiry includes a form of artistic expression that connects directly to academic concepts. Inspired by the artsintegration.com model, our approach teaches through and with the arts, allowing students to explore ideas through visual art, music, movement, and performance.
This integration deepens comprehension, builds creative confidence, and helps students express their learning in meaningful and authentic ways.
Curriculum DEVELOPMENT & Evaluation
Every new year provides Walden the opportunity to reflect on the progressive nature of the curriculum and evaluate its impact on student learning. During the summer teachers brainstorm relevant concepts, ideas for cross-disciplinary studies, and ways to improve and adapt curriculum that builds upon itself.