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Excellent

#40 of 280 schools in VT

Top 14% 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

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Vermont schools

#40 of 280

In district

#1 of 3

Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Walden School

8.2/10

Elementary School in West Danville · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Danville School

4.9/10

4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cabot School

3.8/10

5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Walden School

Walden School is a public elementary school in West Danville, VT, part of Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78. Walden School serves approximately 76 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Walden School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #40 of 280 schools in VT.

Structured state assessment records for Walden School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.0
  • VT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 76 students, Walden School 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.

At 7.6:1 students to teachers, Walden School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Walden School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.73 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,457
Chronic Absenteeism30.3%

Walden School — Students at Walden School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Walden School Compares

See how Walden School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
86th percentile in VT
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
5.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

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. Barnet Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Barnet), with a comparable rating. Another option is Woodbury Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Woodbury), a more accessible option. Additionally, THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Lyndonville), 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 4.9
Cabot School Cabot 5.6 mi 3.8
Peacham Elementary School Peacham 9.1 mi 6.1
Lakeview Union School Greensboro 9.6 mi 6.2
Hazen Union High School Hardwick 8.2 mi 4.4
Hardwick Elementary School Hardwick 8.1 mi 6.1
Millers Run School Sheffield 11.5 mi 5.1
Woodbury Elementary School Woodbury 9.8 mi 7.1
St. Johnsbury School Saint Johnsbury 9.9 mi 5.9
Barnet Elementary School Barnet 12.2 mi 7.8
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 5.5
MAPLEHILL SCHOOL Plainfield 14.7 mi
Wolcott Elementary School Wolcott 12.9 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Newbrook Elementary School Newfane, VT 8.2
Shoreham Elementary School Shoreham, VT 8.1
Middletown Springs Elementary School Middletown Springs, VT 8.5
Barnard Academy Barnard, VT 8.6
Benson Village School Benson, VT 7.7
Currier Memorial Union School Danby, VT 7.6

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 ranks #40 of 280 schools in VT.

What is Walden School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walden School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walden School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

District

Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
District Enrollment
558
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,457
District Rank
#1 of 3

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