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Walden School

EIN 95-2663177 · Pasadena, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 85 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WALDEN SCHOOL (THE "SCHOOL"), WAS FOUNDED AS A NON-PROFIT INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. THE SCHOOL NURTURES A CHILD'S NATURAL WONDER AND PERSONAL DIGNITY. A PERSONALIZED, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED THAT ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBILITY, INITIATIVE, CHILD-LED INQUIRY, ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND EXCELLENCE. THE SCHOOL PROMOTES POSITIVE CONFLICT- RESOLUTION SKILLS, UNDERSTANDING, AND CREATIVITY IN PROBLEM SOLVING. ACADEMIC SKILLS AND CONCEPTS ARE TAUGHT THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND SOCRATIC DISCUSSION, AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE. THE SCHOOL TEACHES CHILDREN TO VALUE AND RESPECT DIVERSITY. THE SCHOOL STRIVES, THEREFORE, TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR WISDOM, TO ENCOURAGE THE SPIRIT OF RENAISSANCE LEARNING, AND TO TEACH THAT WE HAVE STEWARDSHIP FOR THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
61
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$342,690, head of school

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 85 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $4.3 million spent. EDUCATE APPROXIMATELY 203 CHILDREN, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 24-25 IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 6 IN TEN MULTI-AGE CLASSROOMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.