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The Walden School is a nonprofit independent Montessori-based School in Media, Pennsylvania, educating students from Preschool and Kindergarten through Elementary School.
| The Walden School | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
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901 N. Providence Road , 19063 | |
| Coordinates | 39°55′45″N 75°23′13″W / 39.9293047°N 75.3869692°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Nonsectarian |
| Founded | 18 September 1967 |
| Founder | Mary LeFever |
| Category | Secular |
| Oversight | Board of Trustees |
| NCES School ID | 01199352[1] |
| Head of school | Bob Thomas |
| Grades | PreK - 5 |
| Gender | Coed |
| Enrollment | 126 (2024) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 10.0 |
| Education system | Montessori-based |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue and White |
| Accreditation | Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) |
| Website | thewaldenschool |
History
editWalden was founded by Mary LeFever in 1967 with a class of 25 Students using leased space in the Springfield Jewish Community Center.[2]: 29 LeFever was inspired by fellow educators who encouraged her to learn more about the Montessori philosophy after the 1961 Life Magazine article about the Whitby School. She became intrigued and read many books on the subject, eventually leading her to spend time at Cambridge Montessori school during the 1965–66 school year. Returning from this experience, she was determined to leave public education and open a Montessori school. With the help of fellow educators Norma and Hal Taussig, she gathered a group of like-minded parents and held the first class on September 18, 1967.[2]: 26
The name "Walden" was derived from a photographic study of Walden Pond conducted by Harry LeFever. The study incorporated quotes from Walden by Henry David Thoreau, which connected with the philosophies of Maria Montessori.
With enrollment increasing to 60 students, Walden moved to a new space in the Collenbrook United Church in Drexel Hill in 1970. This also marked the first year of an Elementary program. The elementary school grew to sixth grade by 1975.[2]: 31
By 1983 the school had outgrown its space and moved to a new location on Rutgers Ave. in Swarthmore that it rented from the newly formed Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. Throughout the next decade and a half Walden would move four times within the District including space in the Strath Haven Middle School and Swarthmore-Rutlidge School.
Mary LeFever retired in 1987 after 20 years as head of the school. Cynthia Wein became its head.
Permanent home
edit
As part of their 30th anniversary, a capital campaign begun to raise funds to purchase a permanent campus. In 1998, Walden came to an agreement with the Rose Tree Media School District to purchase the former Sandy Bank School. After extensive renovations, the first classes began in September 1999.
In 2003 it received full accreditation by the Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic School's today Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools.
Bob Thomas was named as the Head of School in the Summer of 2022.
In 2011, Walden became the nation's first Fair Trade School for pre-K through 8th grade.[3]
Curriculum
editThe Walden School's education can be separated into two groups, Preschool/Kindergarten, and the Elementary School. Throughout the school, teachings and practices are used from the Montessori method. Students are encouraged to find their path to learning using a style and pace best suited to their development.
Preschool and Kindergarten
editFor children starting as young as 2.7 years old, Walden offers preschool and kindergarten programs. Programs vary by both the length of the school day (full-day or half-day), and frequency (three-day or five-days a week). Regardless of age or program, students will be placed into combined classrooms. Thus all children interact, teach, and learn from both their younger and older peers. The classrooms are prepared with tools and material for all appropriate ages and the teacher acts primarily as a coordinator, encouraging the student to discover their learning pace.
Elementary School
editEach grade is paired with another grade, so that First and Second Graders share a classroom, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders share a classroom. This allows for cross education and an opportunity for more self-directed learning. Though it does require lesson plans to be multi-year, so that students do not repeat topics.
Many programs, especially those in arts, music and science, draw on multiple grades. Consequently, students are able to learn throughout their time at Walden and learn from teaching others.
Affiliations
edit- National Association of Independent Schools
- Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools
- American Montessori Society
- Montessori Teachers Association of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools
References
edit- ^ "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for The Walden School". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved Jun 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c Scott, Patrica (2015). The Walden Way: How and Why The Walden School Was Founded. Uhmms. ISBN 978-0-692-33146-0.
- ^ "The Walden School Fair Trade Announcement". Fair Trade at Penn State Brandywine. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2017.