Embracing the richness of a world view

One of the best features of teaching is that you become enthusiastic about answering questions. We get lots of them from our students, parents, and families considering our school for their kids. Embracing curiosity is a key pillar of how we approach teaching at Walden.

A frequent question concerns why ‘international’ is part of our name and how we’re not simply a school for foreign students.

Why it is integral to our school is reflected in a number of ways. We actively pursue a diverse student body so that everyone has the opportunity to learn that we all have value, insight and experiences that contribute to learning. We embrace differences and celebrate how unique approaches to life and living enrich our outlook on the world. We make every effort possible to increase intercultural understanding as that’s another way we begin to develop an approach to life that includes appreciation of the richness that exists in this world.

When we founded Walden International School in 2016, we had a clear purpose - to model for our students the merits of subscribing to an unadorned approach to living while developing a worldly view in pursuit of academic excellence.

As an international school with a globally focused curriculum, we deliver a rigorous, prestigious and necessary educational programme meeting the standards and demands of the world in which we live.

We also know that perhaps there has not been so much concern about what the future will hold for today’s generation and how they need to be prepared to pivot, adapt and be resilient in the face of tumultuous change.

Consider:

“Across a wide range of research into the future of work by the World Economic Forum and other organizations, employers are not only signalling demand for creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and skills relating to the development and use of technology but are placing more and more emphasis on interpersonal and socio-emotional skills. The latter include the ability to collaborate, coordinate and communicate effectively with others.

In short, the future of education lies in empowering young learners to embrace and develop their uniquely human qualities – those unlikely to ever be replaced by technology.”*

From our experience, the development of uniquely human qualities is greatly enhanced by exposure to a breadth of cultures, beliefs, values, and the real-life experience of humans who live in economies and environments vastly different from ours.

That’s why we incorporate ‘international’ as an integral component of our name. It is also why we worked so hard to become the only IB PYP & MYP private school in Halton Region: an IB education helps students create a better world.

The IB’s mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect. We devoted much effort to aligning our school with this mission as it reflects our founding vision for Walden.

Walden is an international school…one that embraces the vast benefit of academic rigour, powerful well-being and an everlasting appreciation for the environment we occupy.

*Defining Education 4.0: A Taxonomy for the Future of Learning
W H I T E P A P E R J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3, World Economic Forum