Waldorf education, now approaching its 100th anniversary, has emerged as the fastest-growing independent school movement in the world.

The First Waldorf School

In April of 1919, noted philosopher, anthroposophist and teacher Rudolf Steiner visited the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. The German nation, defeated in war, was teetering on the brink of economic, social and political chaos. Steiner spoke to the workers about the need for social renewal, for a new way of organizing society and its political and cultural life. Emil Molt, the factory’s director, asked Steiner if he would establish and lead a school for the employees’ children. Steiner agreed, but insisted that the school be open to all children—girls as well as boys—and that the complete, basic curriculum be made available to all (instead of splitting students, around age 11, between two different educational paths, one oriented to the trades and another for higher learning). Steiner also wanted the school to be independent of governmental control to the extent that the law allowed. The teachers were to be free to teach according to their best insight into the needs of children and to guide the school in support of its educational goals. Steiner’s conditions were radical for that time, but Molt gladly agreed to them. On September 7, 1919, the Independent Waldorf School (Die Freie Waldorfschule) opened its doors.

International Growth

Today there are more than 900 Waldorf schools in 83 countries. In North America alone, over 250 schools are affiliated with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and several public schools use Waldorf methods to enrich their teaching. There are also 14 Waldorf teacher-training institutes in North America. No two schools are identical; each is administered independently. Nevertheless, a visitor would recognize many characteristics common to them all.

Our School’s History

Four Winds Waldorf School was founded in 1994, when a group of parents interested in Waldorf education formed a working group to launch a Waldorf school. In September of 1994, a preschool-kindergarten program was opened in Wheaton, Illinois, with a group of seven children. In 1995 we established a first grade class and subsequently added a new first grade each year, growing to eight grades in 2003 when we proudly graduated our first class. Over the years, the school has relocated several times in order to meet our growing space requirements. In 1999 we purchased our current (and permanent) building in Warrenville, Illinois. Located on five acres of open and wooded land, Four Winds is one of five Chicago-area independent Waldorf Schools and currently the only Waldorf school in the western suburbs of Chicago.