Walden was founded by Mary LeFever in 1967 with a class of 25 students using leased space in the Springfield Jewish Community Center.

In 2011, Walden became the nation's first Fair Trade School for pre-K through 8th grade.

For children starting as young as 2.7 years old, Walden offers preschool and kindergarten programs.

Programs vary by both the length of the school day (full-day or half-day), and frequency (three-day or five-days a week).

Many programs, especially those in arts, music and science, draw on multiple grades.