Excellent
#46 of 280 schools in VT
Top 16% in state
Walden School
Elementary School · Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
135 Cahoon Farm Road, West Danville, VT 05873
Enrollment
76
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
76
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Vermont elementary schools
#40 of 200
In district
#1 of 3
Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Walden School
Walden School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of West Danville, Vermont. Serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, Walden offers an intimate learning environment with a student body of just 76 students and a favorable teacher-to-student ratio of 7.6:1. The school's ten full-time equivalent teachers provide personalized attention to each child’s needs.
While the academic performance data indicates there is room for improvement—particularly in math, where only 34% of students are proficient or above—the overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.1/10 and state ranking at #104 out of 280 schools suggest that Walden School is focusing on student development and growth. Students perform better in ELA/Reading, with half of the students meeting proficiency standards. Walden School's location in a rural area provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 76 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 7.6:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Walden School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Walden School — Students at Walden School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Walden School Compares
See how Walden School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 34.5% (2021) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2021) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
135 Cahoon Farm Road, West Danville, VT 05873
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walden School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St. Johnsbury School (rated 7.4/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Saint Johnsbury), with a comparable rating. Another option is THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Lyndonville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Barnet Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Barnet), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Danville, see our West Danville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Danville School Danville | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Cabot School Cabot | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Peacham Elementary School Peacham | 9.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Lakeview Union School Greensboro | 9.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Hazen Union High School Hardwick | 8.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Hardwick Elementary School Hardwick | 8.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Millers Run School Sheffield | 11.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Woodbury Elementary School Woodbury | 9.8 mi | 6.7 |
| St. Johnsbury School Saint Johnsbury | 9.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Barnet Elementary School Barnet | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury | 10.0 mi | 6.1 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
| CALEDONIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury | 10.3 mi | — |
| ARLINGTON SCHHOOL (THE) Saint Johnsbury | 10.4 mi | 6.8 |
| LYNDON INSTITUTE Lyndon Center | 11.7 mi | 4.5 |
| THADDEUS STEVENS SCHOOL Lyndon Center | 11.7 mi | — |
| THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Lyndonville | 11.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Twinfield Union School Plainfield | 13.8 mi | 3.7 |
| MAPLEHILL SCHOOL Plainfield | 14.7 mi | — |
| Wolcott Elementary School Wolcott | 12.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 05873 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,750
Median Home Value
$244,900
Population
753
College Educated
25.5%
Homeownership
78.1%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
52.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walden School has a median household income of $84,750. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,900. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School Jay, VT | 8.1 |
| Wardsboro Central School Wardsboro, VT | 7.9 |
| Westshire Elementary School West Fairlee, VT | 7.8 |
| Middletown Springs Elementary School Middletown Springs, VT | 8.4 |
| Newbrook Elementary School Newfane, VT | 8.4 |
| Newbury Elementary School Newbury, VT | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walden School
What grades does Walden School serve?
Walden School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Walden School?
Walden School has an enrollment of approximately 76 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walden School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walden School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walden School rank in VT?
Walden School is ranked #46 out of 280 schools in VT.
What is Walden School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walden School has a composite rating of 8.1 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.
What are the test scores at Walden School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walden School has 34.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walden School a charter school?
No, Walden School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walden School a Title I school?
No, Walden School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walden School?
63.2% of students at Walden School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 76
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Caledonia County
- Phone
- (802) 563-3000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78- District Enrollment
- 558
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,457
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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