Interview with Walden International School PARENT, Farrah & Rahim

Walden stood out to us because of their emphasis on making good people, global citizenship, and caring for the world and yourself. These concepts come out daily, and it's woven into everything. So we ultimately chose the school because it differentiated itself from other private schools. When you go into the private school domain, you look at all these schools, and for the most part, they will have strong academic programs. But there aren't many schools that differentiate themselves from one another. 

The level of consistency and continuity at Walden has been impressive. Each year has been as good as or better than the last. This has raised our expectations not only of Walden but of ourselves. The school challenges both students and parents to strive for high standards.

The school emphasizes taking concepts learned and applying them in real life, such as caring for the environment. Since our daughter has been going to Walden, she has instilled in us a perspective of action. This perspective of action is a core part of Walden's philosophy.

Walden recognizes and nurtures the children’s capacities and skills. They encourage students to ask questions and solve problems, even at a young age. The teachers encourage curiosity and thinking processes, which are critical in their development.

Walden also emphasizes soft skills like patience, tolerance, and integrity. These skills are becoming increasingly important in various professional fields. Walden is ahead of its time in focusing on these values alongside academics, helping to create well-rounded individuals.

There is a strong sense of community at Walden. Walden's orientation procedure made sure that there was a good fit for her within the school. Our daughter felt at home very quickly, as did we. It was as if she was part of the class right from the beginning, which reaffirmed our decision.

Walden creates that amazing community that includes families as well. Families are very involved and aware of what is going on at the school. This involvement helps create a sense of belonging and shared values, which is crucial for the children's growth.

The administration at Walden has a strong sense of purpose and identity, which has a positive impact on the children. They encourage students to stand for something and have a strong identity. This perspective comes from the top down, instilling a strong sense of who they are in the students.

Walden promotes global experiences. When we went on our family trip to East Africa, the school maintained a connection with us during the trip, and that really enhanced our experience. The school encouraged us to go, to see it as a lifetime experience for our daughter. The learning she gained from meeting family, going on safari, and visiting other schools was invaluable.

Walden's families come from diverse backgrounds, yet they share a common value set. This diversity is one of the strengths of the school, providing a wide variety of perspectives and experiences that enrich the community.

Walden matches our family values, our community values, and what we want for our kids. This alignment was really the beginning of our journey with the school. From the beginning, we've been advocates of the school and proud to be part of it. In particular, Ms. Perugini and Ms. Charanduk are individuals with high values and integrity, and they have translated that into the school very well.

Choosing Walden was an emotional decision, guided by our values and what felt right for our family. We recommend going with your gut and being open to the journey. It has to be the right fit for you, and Walden was the perfect fit for us because it aligns with our values.