Chicago Waldorf School

Grade School Admissions

Below please find detailed instructions and inclusions for the Grade School Admissions Process, Grades 1-8. We are still accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year.

Grade 1

A completed application for Grade School applicants consists of:

Please click here to download a Senior Kindergarten & First Grade Common Recommendation Form.

Admissions Process
The Admissions staff works collaboratively with faculty to facilitate an admisions process that is professional, meaningful and pedagogically sound.  We look for many qualities in prospective students, but the most important criteria are for the student and family to value and support our educational philosophy.  It is also important to ascertain if we will be able to meet the needs of the student and the expectations of the family.

A complete file is given to the appropriate teacher(s) for review.  In most cases, the applicant is recommended for an interview and assessment.  These are conducted by the Class teacher, an Eurythmist, an Educational Support Specialist and the Admissions Director.  Interviews involve the student and the parents or guardians, ranging in length from 45-75 minutes.  This includes an assessment involving movement exercises to determine if basic developmental milestones have been met. 

Admissions Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the interview team. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a 3 month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss initial adjustment and identify what is necessary to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition, Tuition Adjustment, Sibling Discount
The tuiton for 5 full day Early Childhood and Grade 1-12 is reduced by 15% for the second and each additional sibling enrolled. For Tuition Adjustment, please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and financial aid.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, tuition adjustment, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.

Grades 2-5
A completed application for Grade School applicants consists of:

  • Application, including parent(s)/guardian(s) narrative and signed transcript/records request form(s).
  • Application fee of $75
  • Copies of applicant’s elementary school academic record for the past three years (in most cases this will be provided by student’s current school and is requested by CWS using the records request form). This may also include grades received, standardized test scores, copy of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if relevant, copy of educational evaluation if relevant, and attendance records for the past three years.
  • Letters of recommendation from student’s current class teacher and principal or guidance counselor. Common Recommendation Forms can be downloaded here and must be mailed or faxed the the Admissions office directly by the teacher, principal/head of school or guidance counselor.

Please click here to download the Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 2-5).
Please click here to download the Principal Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 2-5).
Please click here for a downloadable Chicago Waldorf School Application (Grades 2-5).

Interview Process
The Admissions staff works collaboratively with faculty to facilitate an admisions process that is professional, meaningful and pedagogically sound.  We look for many qualities in prospective students, but the most important criteria are for the student and family to value and support our educational philosophy.  It is also important to ascertain if we will be able to meet the needs of the student and the expectations of the family.

A complete file is given to the appropriate teacher(s) for review.  In most cases, the applicant is recommended for an interview and assessment.  These are conducted by the Class teacher, an Eurythmist, an Educational Support Specialist and the Admissions Director.  Interviews involve the student and the parents or guardians, ranging in length from 45-75 minutes.  This includes a developmental assessment and, in grades 4 and 5, a basic math and reading comprehension assessment.

If, after the interview and assessment, the teachers and the parents/guardians determine that Chicago Waldorf School appears to be a good match for the applicant, he or she will be invited to visit the class for two consecutive days.  This is an opportunity for the applicant to meet the other students and an opportunity for the teachers to observe the applicant more fully within the classroom environment.

Admission Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the Grade School faculty. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks following the interview and visit or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a three month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss initial adjustment and identify what is necessary to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition, Tuition Adjustment and Sibling Discount
The tuiton for 5 full day Early Childhood and Grade 1-12 is reduced by 15% for the second and each additional sibling enrolled. For Tuition Adjustment, please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and financial aid.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.

Grades 6-8
A completed application for Grade School applicants consists of:

  • Application, including parent(s)/guardian(s) narrative and signed transcript/records request form(s).
  • Application fee of $75
  • Copies of applicant’s elementary school academic record for the past three years (in most cases this will be provided by student’s current school and is requested by CWS using the records request form). This may also include grades received, standardized test scores, copy of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if relevant, copy of educational evaluation if relevant, and attendance records for the past three years.
  • Letters of recommendation from student’s current English teacher, Math teacher and the Principal/Head of School. Common Recommendation Forms can be downloaded here and must be mailed directly from the teachers.

Please click here to download the English Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).
Please click here to download the Math Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).
Please click here to download the Principal Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).
Please click here for a downloadable Chicago Waldorf School Application (Grades 6-8).

Interview Process
The Admissions staff works collaboratively with faculty to facilitate an admisions process that is professional, meaningful and pedagogically sound.  We look for many qualities in prospective students, but the most important criteria are for the student and family to value and support our educational philosophy.  It is also important to ascertain if we will be able to meet the needs of the student and the expectations of the family.

A complete file is given to the appropriate teacher(s) for review.  In most cases, the applicant is recommended for an interview and assessment.  These are conducted by the Class teacher, an Eurythmist, an Educational Support Specialist and the Admissions Director.  Interviews involve the student and the parents or guardians, ranging in length from 45-75 minutes.  This includes a developmental assessment and a basic math and reading comprehension assessment.

If, after the interview and assessment, the teachers and the parents/guardians determine that Chicago Waldorf School appears to be a good match for the applicant, he or she will be invited to visit the class for two consecutive days.  This is an opportunity for the applicant to meet the other students and an opportunity for the teachers to observe the applicant more fully within the classroom environment.

Admission Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the Grade School faculty. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks following the interview and visit or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a three month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the Class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss the student’s initial adjustment and to be certain that everything is in place to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition and Sibling Discount
The tuiton for 5 full day Early Childhood and Grade 1-12 is reduced by 15% for the second and each additional sibling enrolled. For Tuition Adjustment, please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and financial aid.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.