Walton College partners with Bentonville’s growing Thaden School on executive education

EducationNorthwest Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) June 25, 2019 12:01 pm 1,115 views 

The University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business has launched a “customized business foundations” program this summer for Thaden School leaders in Bentonville.

The program is being administered by Walton College faculty and staff through its executive education division and provides “leadership, strategy and design-thinking knowledge” to the Thaden leadership team as they prepare for the 2019-2020 school year. Subject matter experts from the business community are also involved in the program, according to a UA news release.

“On the strength of our faculty and innovative curriculum, Thaden School is growing rapidly and will double its enrollment with the opening of our first permanent buildings this fall,” said Clayton Marsh, founding head of the school. “Working with Walton College, we are preparing for the challenges and opportunities that come with this stage of growth.”

The private school supported by the Walton Family Foundation opened in the fall of 2017 in temporary classrooms — and some classes held at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — with grades 7 and 9 and has grown incrementally to serve students in grades 6 through 12.

Construction projects to build out the 30-acre campus at the corner of Southeast Eighth and South Main streets near downtown Bentonville has been ongoing. The property was donated to the school by Walmart Inc. It was the Benton County Fairgrounds for decades until relocating to Vaughn in the early 2000s.

Marsh said Thaden School, which uses an indexed tuition model, should double its enrollment this fall, from 110 students to approximately 220.

“We are excited to work with Thaden School leaders as they scale their organization and its impact on students and families in Northwest Arkansas through their unique curriculum,” said Brent Williams, Walton College associate dean for executive education and outreach. “We aim to help equip these leaders as they prepare for future growth.”