About Our School

Carden School of Sacramento is situated on a lovely estate featuring spacious, garden-like grounds and towering trees. The several buildings create a warm, intimate atmosphere with small classrooms, outdoor play grounds, additional play areas, an outdoor performing arts stage and a blacktop area for special events and games.

We are a private, independent, non-sectarian Christian school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. Carden School of Sacramento does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, or political affiliation.

Our school is named in honor of the late Mae Carden whose educational philosophy and teaching techniques inspired its establishment. Mae Carden, author of the Carden Educational Method, brought to her work a background rich in culture as well as pedagogical experience. Her academic training at Vassar College and Columbia University was supplemented by European travel and study. Miss Carden's power of analysis, her understanding of children, and her ability to coordinate and organize a school program were without equal. She developed effective teaching techniques and was an expert in children's music and art appreciation which are included as an integral part of the curriculum.

Mr. and Mrs. Michels opened Carden School of Sacramento in 1971, using the principles set down by Miss Carden in the Carden Educational Method. In 1974, the Michels Education Institute was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Mr. and Mrs. Michels entrusted their school to the current Board of Trustees, which guides Carden School of Sacramento today.

The Carden staff and teachers are carefully screened for their ability to work with children in order to provide a successful learning experience for all. They are dedicated to challenging all students to reach their maximum potential. Our teachers are either credentialed, working toward their credential, specialized in their field or have a college degree, which qualifies them to instruct classes in California. In addition, Carden teachers receive professional training in the Carden Method through courses given by the Carden Educational Foundation and curriculum coordinators on our staff.

The basic purpose of the school is to foster in each student the desire to learn. We believe that self-confidence and self-reliance can be developed in a child's character by careful teaching of the key subjects. Once equipped with a solid foundation of learning skills and basic knowledge, each child will be enabled to reach logical conclusions and to proceed with confidence and pleasure throughout a lifetime of learning.

The approach to teaching is classical and traditional with quality performance as a top priority. For mastery of basic skills, students are grouped by class according to readiness. These groups are small to maximize individualized instruction. Teacher-pupil ratio for basic skill subjects is one teacher to eight pupils. Although we believe all students possess gifts and talents unique to themselves, an effort is made to provide additional challenges for the accelerated student and frequent extra help for the student who finds mastery of the basic skills more difficult. Students work at different levels which are identified upon entry. These groupings within the various subject areas are continually being re-evaluated throughout the school year. The aim of the school is to provide realistic achievement goals for each student.

Most Carden students, after being with the school for a period of time, score two to three grade levels ahead of the national average on the annual Stanford Achievement Tests. Carden School of Sacramento administers the SAT to students in K - 8th grade. These tests are administered in April/May of each school year. Carden graduates generally go on to become top achievers in higher education, both in private and public schools.

A Carden student is provided with a solid foundation on which to build throughout life.

The School Advocates:

  • a thorough teaching of the basic academic skills in small individualized groups
  • the communication skills of oral and written composition
  • classical literature and fine arts
  • poetry memorization
  • training in the ability to internalize and organize acquired knowledge and the development of sound judgement
  • the building of character, good citizenship and sportsmanship

Enrichment Programs, Pre-K through 8th Grade

  • Computer instruction
  • French instruction
  • Music instruction
  • Dramatic presentations at all grade levels
  • Competitive sports programs for boys and girls (beginning in 2nd Grade)
©  2006, Carden School of Sacramento.