Grade school. An inspired approach to life-long learning.

Rudolf Steiner created a curriculum for Waldorf schools based on the development of the growing human being. By recognizing that children pass through three distinct stages, the curriculum and teaching methods are able to deliver the right stimulus at the right time and thus allow each developmental stage to unfold fully. What sets the curriculum apart is not necessarily what is taught, but how it is taught. True learning is a process of discovery that engages the whole human being. Instead of passively receiving information, Waldorf schools are involved in a dynamic process of exploration, both of the world and of themselves.

Inspiring Learning

At its core, the Waldorf approach utilizes children’s natural curiosity to develop a love of learning. Teachers aim to present all subjects in a pictorial, imaginative way to stimulate students’ feelings and interest. Every subject—whether mathematics, history, or physics—is learned artistically. Drawing, painting, movement, music, singing, recitation, and drama are not treated as supplements; rather, they are the actual methods by which each subject is taught. In the grade-school years, every child is a natural artist. A teacher’s task is to transform intellectual knowledge into aesthetic experience that speaks to the whole child—the head, the heart, and the hands. By interweaving traditional academic disciplines with artistic and practical activities, the school provides a broad and balanced educational experience and encourages the development of capable, multifaceted individuals.

Teacher and Student Continuity

Each grade is entrusted to a class teacher who remains their guide, philosopher and friend from first through eighth grade. The class teacher introduces the principal subjects during these years in the form of the “Main Lesson.” Several specialists provide additional lessons in languages, music, gymnastics, eurythmy, and handwork. But the person chiefly responsible for students’ progress through these years is their class teacher. Thus, each child has a continuity of friendship and authority to look up to in school. The class teacher is also in an excellent position to understand the unique personality and learning styles of each student, enabling them to work more effectively with their students over the course of their years together.

The Main Lesson Approach

In the Waldorf curriculum, the major subjects of learning are given as Main Lessons for two hours at the beginning of each day. These Main Lesson subjects are taught in units of three to six weeks’ duration. Students can give their undivided attention to each subject in succession. After each subject is studied, the curtain closes over one kind of work and opens anew on another. The curriculum flows naturally through the school year and from year to year.

Special Subjects

It is the responsibility of the main classroom teacher to deliver all the major subjects in the curriculum during the lower grade years, including mathematics, history, literature, English/grammar, geography, and sciences. Special subject teachers supplement the classroom teacher’s lessons by providing expertise in foreign languages, music, handwork, games and eurythmy.

To learn more about our Grades program, visit our webpages devoted to each grade.

We encourage you to visit our school to learn more.  Visit the Calendar page for the dates of next School Tours and Events.

To learn more about our application process, please visit the Application Process page.

To apply for Grades enrollment, please visit the Apply page.