What is Waldorf education?
Waldorf education was founded in 1919 and is based on the lectures and teachings of philosopher and educator Rudolf Steiner. According to Steiner’s philosophy, the human being is a threefold being of spirit, soul and body whose capacities unfold in three developmental stages on the path to adulthood: early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. The Waldorf curriculum is specifically designed to work with students through each phase of intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.
Ethical values and engagement with the larger community, both locally and globally, are integrated into the daily life and educational experience. The arts are integrated with and separated from academic studies, with students creating their own textbooks full of maps, experiments, creative and research writings, illustrations and more. Phenomenological study approaches provide a context for students to learn intense observation and recording skills, experiencing their subjects of study and following the trail of information to their own conclusion rather than just reading about them in a book. Participation in a wide range of interests is encouraged, giving students a chance to try new things like sports or drama without having to already be masters of the material. This multidimensional approach results in students who are confident, capable and flexible in ways that prepare them to face whatever the future may bring.
How are admissions applications prioritized?
Complete applications received by February 15, 2023 will be given priority consideration by the Admissions Committee. Priority will also be given to siblings of current students and children of faculty and staff.
Acceptance to Cedarwood Waldorf School will be communicated by email.
Students who have applied for classes that do not have space will be placed into our wait pool for that class and will be notified by email, if and when a space becomes available.
Do you have child care after school?
We have a full and rich Extended Day offering for our Early Childhood program, and a separate Extended Day Program for students in Grade 1-5.
What is your grading system?
Teachers assess children’s progress throughout the year through written evaluations, parent-teacher conferences and parent group meetings, and a full assessment of each student’s progress in all subject areas is provided in the form of a lengthy year-end evaluation.
How do I apply to Cedarwood Waldorf School?
Do you offer financial assistance?
Cedarwood has a very generous Tuition Assistance program that is based on financial need.
Please visit our Tuition & Tuition Assistance page for more information.
What is your media policy?
Waldorf education empowers the development of imagination and memory and the ability to entertain oneself, especially in the younger grades.
We know that most families have some media as part of the home experience and we encourage families to significantly limit or discontinue exposure to television, movies, video games, computers and other entertainment media. Many families choose Waldorf education because they want a low-technology environment for their children.
We acknowledge that this can be a difficult transition, especially if the student has had a lot of media interaction prior to Waldorf school attendance. We support our families in making this transition, and are here to help you create solutions that will work in your home.
How well do children outside of Waldorf schools transfer in?
Our experience is that the transition varies with the temperament of the child, how well he or she adjusts to changes, and the grade of the transfer.
Generally, through Grade 5, the transition goes smoothly with slight adjustments to a new learning environment, artistic activities and foreign languages.
In Grades 6-8, sometimes extra tutoring in Spanish, Japanese and a musical instrument can help a student “catch up” with the rest of the class.
In what ways are parents involved at Cedarwood?
Many!
Parents are vitally important to the smooth functioning of Cedarwood. Our hope is that each parent will find a place at Cedarwood whether that is on the board of trustees, finance committee, governance and long-range planning, parent council, festivals, fundraising, class trips, support for the teachers, or organizing parent education evenings.
Opportunities abound for parents to contribute their unique skills and energy to the school community!