Cedarwood—A Parent’s Perspective

“Imagine your child as a plant”, a teacher suggested at an open house presentation many years ago—a morning that filled my eyes with tears of awe and my heart with hope for what education could look like. “The traditional education system takes your plants and encourages them to blossom and flower right away, to show their parents and the world: look what my kid can do!”

But Cedarwood is different, she explained. At Cedarwood, rather than encourage showy blooms, teachers help children strengthen their stems, so that when they naturally blossom, they are strong enough to stand tall and sturdy as they do. And when the blossoms fade and fall, they are still strong, healthy, and confident, knowing that they will be able to hold the many blossoms that will grow in the future.

That analogy resonated with me. My first grader was doing amazing things at her neighborhood school. She was reading, writing, conducting science projects, and had tested into the talented and gifted program. Blossoms everywhere. But how was her stem holding up? She was overwhelmed by the chaotic cafeteria, crammed into a room of 32 first graders, and came home stressed out at the end of each day. At school she was a quiet, self-sufficient student who, on the outside, seemed to have it all together. But who was looking after her emotional well being and keeping her grounded during the 7 hours a day that she was at school?

We felt sure that our thoughtful, empathetic, and curious child would thrive in the Waldorf learning environment, and made some decisions and lifestyle adjustments to make it happen financially. Even still, changing to a different education model felt like a big leap of faith: Would she be challenged academically? Could she come out of an elementary and middle school education with days filled with art and music and plays and field trips and so much time outside prepared for the rigor of high school? We decided that we could always find some tutoring later on if needed—but to focus on the stem for now.

Seven wonderful years at Cedarwood fostered our daughter’s innate curiosity and encouraged learning through active engagement with her teachers and peers. The project-based and experiential learning methods taught her to approach a subject from multiple angles and perspectives. The dual-language program inspired her empathy and appreciation for other cultures and places. The focus on our natural environment helped her discover that the woods are her happy place. And even at the height of 8th grade adolescent angst and not feeling enthusiastic about much of anything, she told me that she was never bored at school. 

Our daughter did not need tutoring in the end. In fact, she passed her private school entrance exam with flying colors, and has thrived in a rigorous, college prep environment. She continues to engage with her teachers and peers, to think deeply about the things she is learning, and, thanks to that strong stem of hers, has become a passionate leader.

In her free time, she researches and creates historical clothing inspired by both fiction and non-fictional figures, engaging her love of history, fashion, and working with her hands. She loves to cook and bake. She loves to read. She continues to love to learn. This natural curiosity and passion for life was so beautifully fostered and woven into her Waldorf education, and it is now very much a part of the fabric of herself. 

As a high school senior, and ever curious and thoughtful about the world and the lives of people in it, she is planning to major in political science and international relations in college. As she selects schools to apply to, I see her looking for smaller class settings with discussion based learning, campuses with a natural environment, a theater program where she can spend some of her extra curricular time, and especially for peers that want to be active and engaged in their college community. She knows who she is and what she wants, and it is amazing to see her beginning to find her place in the world. I am ever grateful that at Cedarwood, her heart, head, and hands were all allowed the space they needed for her to blossom into a truly special young woman.

Elaine Schumacher is an experienced Cedarwood parent with students in the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2024. Elaine has served as a Parent-Council co-chair, Practical Arts assistant, and as the leader of the beloved Pioneer Camp for many years. Elaine is an adjunct faculty member at Portland State University after completing her Master's in book publishing and technical writing. She is currently supporting Cedarwood by subbing in the Practical Arts program and helping Cedarwood's marketing and communication efforts.