About Walden
Walden Staff
The Walden staff strive to create a family atmosphere with policies such as addressing teachers by their first names. To help parents get to know the staff, check out our staff directory, organized by first names A - J and first names K - Z.
The Walden Philosophy
Walden III is founded on the belief that students should be a part of the decisions which affect them at school. Walden III students demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-direction, initiative, and cooperation. Each student is expected to contribute toward making Walden III a more friendly, positive learning environment. The Walden III campus is open, meaning there is freedom for students to move about the school and the neighborhood.
Walden III's commitment to non-violence is a tradition that has been an integral part of its philosophy since the school's inception in 1972. Students are expected to solve problems amicably. The school's "no fight" policy means that no one may use physical violence against another. Any student violating the district's code of student responsibility may be removed from Walden III to return to their home school. In addition, a student at Walden cannot demonstrate truancy/tardiness or academic failure over the course of a quarter and remain a Walden student.
Mission
Walden's mission is to
- be student-centered and staff driven
- add educational value to each student's life
- use individualized student performance assessment
- find ways to motivate each student
- hold ourselves to the expectations of the Coalition of Essential Schools
- create a family atmosphere and develop a relationship with the students and their parents/ guardians in order to reach educational goals
- set local, state and national benchmarks for success
Core Values
We hold deep beliefs about our uncommon school.
- Our primary purpose is to help young people become excited, effective lifelong learners.
- We must provide alternative forms of education, making success more accessible to all students.
- We must create an environment where scholarship is continually validated, where striving for excellence is acclaimed by all, and mutual respect is the order of every day.
- Structure is something carried within and for which each individual is responsible.
- School should be based more on research than traditional practices.
School Website
The best way to learn about Walden is to visit the school's website.