LOWER SCHOOL
Dear Kindergarten- 4th Grade Families,
The end of the school year is an exciting time, and it foreshadows a well-needed time of rest and rejuvenation! We wish all of our students and families a safe, fun, and relaxing summer. We also want to help our students maintain the academic edge they have worked so hard this year to obtain.
Please remember summer is an important opportunity for your child(ren) to continue developing their reading, writing, and math skills to better prepare them for their next grade. Below are suggested activities to encourage the process of learning during summer vacation. None of these activities are mandatory.
Happy learning and see you in August!
Kelly Von Busch
Director of K-6th Grade
LOWER SCHOOL
Summer Resources
Grades K-4
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dear MIddle School Families,
The end of the school year is an exciting time, and it foreshadows a well-needed time of rest and rejuvenation! We wish all of our students and families a safe, fun, and relaxing summer. We also want to help our students maintain the academic edge they have worked so hard this year to obtain.
Please remember summer is an important opportunity for your child(ren) to continue developing their reading, writing, and math skills to better prepare them for their next grade. Below are activities to encourage the process of learning during summer vacation.
Note for 7th-8th Grades: the 7th Grade assignments are mandatory for Language Arts. 8th Grade assignments are optional.
Happy learning and see you in August!
Kelly Von Busch
Director of K-6th Grade
Pamela Zipper
Director of 7th-12th Grade
7th-8th Grade Textbooks
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to provide you with important information regarding student textbooks.
Each grade-level has a specific list of required textbooks linked. This Grade-Level Textbook provides:
• The full list of textbooks your child will need.
• Clear indication of whether the school will provide the textbook or if it is the family’s responsibility to purchase.
To assist families in obtaining the necessary materials, we recommend the following affordable and trusted websites where textbooks can be purchased:
•
•
•
•
NOTE: Please ensure the ISBN number matches the title and edition of the book you are purchasing. Some books have multiple editions, so double-check that you are ordering the correct one.
Please ensure that all textbooks are ordered and received by the first day of school: Wednesday, August 12th.
If you have any questions or need assistance with textbook orders, please don’t hesitate to contact Pam Zipper at pzipper@walden-school.org.
òòò½Íø Reading LINKs
5TH GRADE READING
6TH GRADE READING
7TH GRADE READING (MandaTory)*
8TH GRADE READING (optional)
*Why 7th Grade Language Arts Assignments Are Mandatory
These assignments are essential because they give teachers valuable insight into each student’s current writing and language skills. By reviewing students’ writing samples, teachers can better understand their strengths and areas for growth. This helps us tailor the curriculum to meet the specific needs of the incoming 7th Grade class, ensuring all students receive the support and challenges they need to succeed.
5th-6th Grade Math
Students will still have access to their digital platforms over the summer, DeltaMath for rising 6th Grade and ALEKS for rising 5th Grade. It would be beneficial for students to practice math 10-15 minutes 3 times a week. This will help prevent the summer slide.
Click the link below to embark on your summer math adventure!
7th-8th Grade math (Optional)
2026 Summer Math: Staying Sharp with Delta Math
As we wrap up the 2025-26 school year, we want to ensure students maintain the progress they’ve made in their math courses. This year, our students utilized Delta Math to master new concepts through immediate feedback and interactive problem-solving. To prevent the "summer slide," we are providing optional opportunities for students to continue engaging with these skills over the break.
The Goal: "If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It"
The objective this summer is to keep math concepts fresh without being overwhelming. We encourage students to work on math a little bit each week. This consistency ensures that the foundational skills learned this year remain strong as they transition into their next math course this fall.
How Summer Practice Works
Your student's Delta Math account will remain active throughout the summer months.
• Review Modules: Students can continue to access previous assignments to reinforce challenging topics.
• Immediate Support: As a reminder, every problem on Delta Math comes with a worked-out solution and many include instructional videos. If your student hits a roadblock, these tools are available 24/7.
Recommended Routine
To keep math skills sharp without taking away from summer fun, we suggest:
Frequency: 20–30 minutes of practice, 1–2 times per week.
HIGH SCHOOL
Dear High School Families,
The end of the school year is an exciting time, and it foreshadows a well-needed time of rest and rejuvenation! We wish all of our students and families a safe, fun, and relaxing summer. We also want to help our students maintain the academic edge they have worked so hard this year to obtain.
Please remember summer is an important opportunity for your child(ren) to continue developing their reading, writing, and math skills to better prepare them for their next grade. Below are activities to encourage the process of learning during summer vacation.*
Happy learning and see you in August!
Pamela Zipper
Director of 7th-12th Grade
*Note: Assignments for AP US History and AP Art History are mandatory.
Students going into AP US History must make a copy of the .
Students going into AP Art History must make a copy of the .
High School Textbooks
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to provide you with important information regarding student textbooks.
Each grade-level has a specific list of required textbooks linked. This Grade-Level Textbook provides:
• The full list of textbooks your child will need.
• Clear indication of whether the school will provide the textbook or if it is the family’s responsibility to purchase.
To assist families in obtaining the necessary materials, we recommend the following affordable and trusted websites where textbooks can be purchased:
•
•
•
•
NOTE: Please ensure the ISBN number matches the title and edition of the book you are purchasing. Some books have multiple editions, so double-check that you are ordering the correct one.
Please ensure that all textbooks are ordered and received by the first day of school: Wednesday, August 12th.
If you have any questions or need assistance with textbook orders, please don’t hesitate to contact Pam Zipper at pzipper@walden-school.org.
GENERAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES
All high school students will get a more detailed list of supplies needed for their specific classes on the first day of school. All students should bring general supplies including:
• Notebooks
• Loose leaf paper
• Graphing paper
• Pencils and black/blue pens
• A graphing calculator (TI-84 family of TI-NSpire family)
• Organizer/agenda
High School English
WHY READING MATTERS (EVEN WHEN IT’S OPTIONAL)
Reading isn’t just an assignment—it’s a powerful tool for expanding your mind, building empathy, and sharpening your ability to think critically. Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or something in between, reading helps you connect ideas, understand different perspectives, and find your own voice.
This year, reading is your choice. What you read—and how much—can be a reflection of your curiosity and your willingness to grow. We’re not just checking boxes anymore. We’re inviting you to explore, reflect, and discover what matters to you.
Choose something that interests you. Give it a chance. You might be surprised by what sticks with you long after you’ve finished the last page. Below are some suggestions from your teachers to guide you in your love for reading.
High School Reading Links
High School reading recommendations are optional (not mandatory).
English 1 (Optional)
9th Grade
English 3/Ap Language (Optional)
Sophomore Seminar (Optional)
Mandatory: Get a Library Card
senior english (Optional)
High School Math (optional)
2026 Summer Math: Staying Sharp with Delta Math
As we wrap up the 2025-26 school year, we want to ensure students maintain the progress they’ve made in their math courses. This year, our students utilized Delta Math to master new concepts through immediate feedback and interactive problem-solving. To prevent the "summer slide," we are providing optional opportunities for students to continue engaging with these skills over the break.
The Goal: "If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It"
The objective this summer is to keep math concepts fresh without being overwhelming. We encourage students to work on math a little bit each week. This consistency ensures that the foundational skills learned this year remain strong as they transition into their next math course this fall.
How Summer Practice Works
Your student's Delta Math account will remain active throughout the summer months.
•&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Review Modules: Students can continue to access previous assignments to reinforce challenging topics.
• Immediate Support: As a reminder, every problem on Delta Math comes with a worked-out solution and many include instructional videos. If your student hits a roadblock, these tools are available 24/7.
Recommended Routine
To keep math skills sharp without taking away from summer fun, we suggest:
Frequency: 20–30 minutes of practice, 1–2 times per week.
Senior Class: College and Career Preparations (Mandatory)
Students entering their senior year are expected to continue the college and career preparations they began during junior year, as this will be a primary focus of upcoming advisory sessions. These tasks are designed to help students spread out the college application process so it does not become overwhelming or time-consuming. If students are unable to complete these items over the summer, CWP will be available to provide dedicated time for completion. Specific expectations and details can be found on Google Classroom on the "Class of 2027" page.
The timeline for completing these tasks is as follows:
June 30th: Net Price Calculator for 3+ college choices
August 12th: Update Scoir and Common App profiles
August 12th: Common App essay (This is a graded assignment for Senior/AP English)
August 12th: Brainstorm recommendation letter writers
Incoming 9th Graders: Save the Date for Freshman Orientation!
To ensure our rising freshmen get the best possible start to their high school journey, we are hosting a mandatory, three-day Ninth Grade Orientation to kick off the 2026-2027 school year.
Dates: July 27, 28, and 29
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM daily
What to Expect:
Our comprehensive orientation is designed to build confidence, community, and crucial academic habits before the first day of class:
Community & Culture: Students will connect with classmates and explore how to weave òòò½Íø’s Core Values—Responsibility, Respect, Community, and Curiosity—into their high school experience.
Executive Functioning & Study Skills: We will cover vital skills to boost academic confidence and manage stress, including digital and physical organization, active study habits to improve memory, and test-anxiety strategies.
Time & Task Management: Students will learn how to minimize distractions, utilize backward planning for projects, master different note-taking styles, and build a productive homework routine.
High School Logistics: To wrap things up, students will review the High School Handbook, set up their lockers, and walk through their class schedules so they know exactly where to go.
Note: Please ensure these dates are marked on your calendar, as this orientation is foundational for your student's success from day one. Stay tuned for more details later this summer!
Revolution, Retribution, & Reflection: Boston 2027 (High School Only)
Get ready for five days of history, mystery, and nature as òòò½Íø takes over the Bay State! From the cobblestones of Revolutionary Boston to the haunted streets of Salem, this trip is packed with bucket-list spots and core memories.
The Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1: We kick things off with a flight from SDF to BOS before checking into the modern and eco-friendly. Located right in the heart of the city, it’s got a game room, movie room, and a massive kitchen for our group hangouts.
Day 2: Walk the famous Freedom Trail to see where the Revolution began, then step into the stunning. You’ll see world-class art and the legendary empty frames left behind by the world’s most famous unsolved art heist.
Day 3: We’re heading to Salem for a deep dive into the 1692 witch trials. After a spine-tingling tour, you’ll have free time to explore the spooky downtown shops and harbor views.
Day 4: We’ll bus out to the serene òòò½Íø Pond to follow in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau. We’ll join a park interpretive program and hike around the same water that inspired American literature and our schools namesake.
Day 5: One last Boston breakfast before we catch our flight back home!
Trip Details:
Dates: March 18–22, 2027
Price: $1,776 (All-in!)
Includes: Airfare, accommodation, all tours, food, and transportation.
If you have any questions or interested on child going to Boston, please reach out to Ms. Zipper, pzipper@walden-school.org and Mr. Haupt, mhaupt@walden-school.org.