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
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
Enrollment
154
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Walden School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Pasadena, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (626) 792-6166
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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