Our Neighborhood
Situated in the historic Lair Hill neighborhood, our Southwest Portland campus combines eco-conscious contemporary architecture with original 20th Century structures. Just five minutes from downtown Portland and surrounded by green spaces, our neighborhood offers a unique and beautiful balance of natural and city landscapes.
Our Teaching Method
We value a contemporary approach to Waldorf, in which new ideas, practices, and styles are incorporated to support and enrich the student experience from early childhood programming through the completion of grade eight. Our pedagogy is forward-facing, reflective, and responsive to the demands and expectations of today’s world, while maintaining our core vision — to weave together the arts, academics, and movement with a reverence for the developing child.
Now more than ever, we are committed to meeting our students with an openness to possibility, providing time and tools for developing resiliency, and teaching them skills that can be used to turn challenges into opportunities.
Our Governance Structure
Cedarwood is committed to addressing the needs of our students and families through a three-pillar governance structure:
The Board Pillar supervises the school administration and is fully responsible for the legal, financial and general fiduciary realm. This mandate is given to the head of school who oversees the administrative staff.
The Faculty Pillar is responsible for all things pedagogical and spiritual.
The Pedagogical Director is responsible for managing faculty.
The Core Group of Teachers is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the classrooms, for presenting the curriculum, for working directly with children and parents, and serves as an advisory body for the Head of School and Pedagogical Director in decision-making.
Class Teachers & Subject Teachers work together to create an integrated approach to student learning.
The Parent Council Pillar supports the social life of our community of parents and families. The Parent Council provides leadership on volunteerism, class communications, continuing education, and community events. This work is closely integrated with faculty, administration, and class parents.
Cedarwood’s Mission
Cedarwood Waldorf School brings Waldorf Education to life and strives to instill a love for learning. Our curriculum weaves together the arts, academics and movement, with a reverence for the developing child. We nurture our children’s spirituality, cultivate their ability to think imaginatively, and inspire them to seek the truth.
Our Vision
Cedarwood’s true purpose is to create a collaborative community that strives to learn how we as human beings can create a better world.
Accreditation
Cedarwood Waldorf School is a fully accredited member of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN).
Anti-Discrimination Policy
We admit and welcome students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Cedarwood. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance program, and athletic and other school-administered programs.