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Very Good

#450 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 25% of private schools

Walden School

Elementary School

74 S SAN GABRIEL BLVD, Pasadena, CA 91107

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 21 schools in Pasadena. Learn more

Enrollment

154

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Pasadena

#9 of 21

public schools

California elementary schools

#249 of 1,102

About Walden School

Walden School serves 154 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Pasadena, offering a close-knit elementary education experience with an excellent 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides personalized attention that many larger schools cannot match. The school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #797 out of 1790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 56th percentile among California schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to elementary education during these crucial foundational years. Walden School draws families from a well-educated community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a median household income of $120,822 and a low poverty rate of 5.8%, creating a stable environment that supports student learning.

With median home values of $1,045,300, the area attracts families who prioritize education and community investment. Located at 74 S San Gabriel Boulevard, Walden School operates in Pasadena's mid-size city setting, providing students with both suburban stability and access to the greater Los Angeles area's cultural and educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 154 students, Walden School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Walden School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Walden School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$34,799
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$37,169
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.07x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
89%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$10.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 154 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Walden School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Pasadena, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
This School
vs
22.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
154
This School
vs
541
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
6.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 41.6% vs 0%
Asian 16.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.8% vs 0%
Black 0.6% vs 0%
Walden School Pasadena Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Walden School (this school) 7.1
Willard Elementary 8.4
Hamilton Elementary 6.5
Norma Coombs Elementary 7.4
CIS Academy 8.2
Field (Eugene) Elementary 8.2
Marshall Fundamental 7.3
Webster Elementary 5.3
Don Benito Fundamental 6.4
McKinley 4.3
Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary 7.7
Madison Elementary 5.0
Blair High 8.3
Octavia E. Butler Magnet 7.2
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet 4.5
Alma Fuerte Public 7.1
San Rafael Elementary 5.9

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 154
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 41.6%
Two or More 33.1%
Asian 16.9%
Hispanic 7.8%
Black 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

74 S SAN GABRIEL BLVD, Pasadena, CA 91107

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walden School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Willard Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Norma Coombs Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SS FELICITAS & PERPETUA SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Marino), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pasadena, see our Pasadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Learning Works Pasadena 0.2 mi 5.0
Teaching Great Children Pasadena 0.5 mi
Options For Youth - Duarte Inc Pasadena 0.5 mi 3.1
SAN MARINO MONTESSORI Pasadena 0.6 mi
St. Gregory's A. & M. Hovsepian School Pasadena 0.6 mi
ST GREGORYS A & M HOVSEPIAN SCHOOL Pasadena 0.6 mi 6.2
Willard Elementary Pasadena 0.7 mi 8.4
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pasadena 0.9 mi
ASSUMPTION OF THE BVM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pasadena 0.9 mi 7.1
Hamilton Elementary Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.5
Norma Coombs Elementary Pasadena 1.0 mi 7.4
Villa Esperanza Services Pasadena 1.0 mi
VILLA ESPERANZA SERVICES Pasadena 1.0 mi 6.3
Pasadena High Pasadena 1.2 mi 8.6
CIS Academy Pasadena 1.2 mi 8.2
Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School San Marino 1.2 mi
SS FELICITAS & PERPETUA SCHOOL San Marino 1.2 mi 7.3
Marianne Frostig Center of Educational Therapy Pasadena 1.3 mi
Clairbourn School San Gabriel 1.3 mi
CLAIRBOURN SCHOOL San Gabriel 1.3 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91107 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$124,880

Median Home Value

$1,106,600

Median Rent

$2,311/mo

Population

32,944

College Educated

58.9%

Homeownership

60.2%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Walden School has a median household income of $124,880. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,106,600, with a median rent of $2,311/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AL-HUDA ISLAMIC SCHOOL Hawthorne, CA 7.1
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hayward, CA 7.1
ASSUMPTION OF THE BVM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pasadena, CA 7.1
Alma Fuerte Public Pasadena, CA 7.1
Big Pine Elementary Big Pine, CA 7.1
Cadman Elementary San Diego, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walden School

What grades does Walden School serve?

Walden School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Walden School?

Walden School has an enrollment of approximately 154 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walden School?

The student-teacher ratio at Walden School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Walden School rank in CA?

Walden School is ranked #450 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Walden School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walden School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Walden School a private school?

Yes, Walden School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Walden School a religious school?

No, Walden School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,203/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pasadena). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
154
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
LOS ANGELES
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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