Very Good
#2447 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 26% in state
Walden Academy
Elementary School · Walden Academy District
PO Box 1092, Willows, CA 95988
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,447 of 9,539
In Willows
#1 of 5
public schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Walden Academy
Elementary School in Willows · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Murdock Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Glenn County Special Education
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Walden Academy
Walden Academy is a public elementary school in Willows, CA, part of Walden Academy District. Walden Academy serves approximately 186 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Walden Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,447 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Walden Academy show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 186 students, Walden Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Walden Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Walden Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walden Academy — Students at Walden Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 24 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Walden Academy Compares
See how Walden Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 1092, Willows, CA 95988
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walden Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plaza Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Orland), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Maxwell Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mill Street Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Orland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Willows, see our Willows schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Murdock Elementary Willows | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Glenn County Special Education Willows | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Willows High Willows | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Willows Community High Willows | 0.6 mi | — |
| Willows Intermediate Willows | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| RIVER VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Glenn | 10.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Plaza Elementary Orland | 14.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Fairview Elementary Orland | 14.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Price Intermediate Orland | 15.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Mill Street Elementary Orland | 15.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Success One! Orland | 15.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Providence Christian School (dba) Orland | 15.5 mi | — |
| William Finch Orland | 15.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Orland High Orland | 15.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Princeton Elementary Princeton | 13.4 mi | 4.4 |
| North Valley High (Continuation) Orland | 16.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Princeton High Princeton | 13.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Maxwell Elementary Maxwell | 16.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Maxwell Middle Maxwell | 16.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Lake View Charter Orangevale | 17.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95988 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,913
Median Home Value
$299,300
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Population
9,060
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
20.4 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alcott Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.5 |
| BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park, CA | 7.5 |
| Branch Elementary Arroyo Grande, CA | 7.5 |
| Chrysalis Charter Palo Cedro, CA | 7.5 |
| Cubberley Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.5 |
| Garvanza Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walden Academy
What grades does Walden Academy serve?
Walden Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Walden Academy?
Walden Academy has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walden Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Walden Academy is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walden Academy rank in CA?
Walden Academy ranks #2,447 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Walden Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Walden Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Walden Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walden Academy has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Is Walden Academy a charter school?
Yes, Walden Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Walden Academy a Title I school?
No, Walden Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walden Academy?
57.5% of students at Walden Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 186
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Glenn County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.6%
- Phone
- (530) 361-6480
Resources & Links
District
Walden Academy District- District Enrollment
- 186
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,839
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How we rate schools
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