Grade School Overview
In Waldorf education, the grade school teacher ideally stays with the class throughout the eight lower school years. Beginning with the 1st grade, the teacher truly gets to know each student, watching development of personality and skills and forming a strong bond while leading students through the grades. This supports a rich social dynamic in the class as well as a deep understanding of each student’s strengths and challenges. Teachers pursue training during summer breaks in preparation for each new year’s material and benefit from mentoring support from teachers in higher grades who have previously taught the course materials. This helps keep teachers enthused which shines through to the students in the learning process.
Each school day begins with an individual greeting and handshake from teacher to student. Students begin class with music and verse before moving into a 2-hour morning lesson. Each morning lesson block is an immersion in a particular academic subject such as English, math or geography. Each block lasts 3-4 weeks and is enhanced through music, poetry, painting, drawing, movement and drama. This allows the whole child to become absorbed in the multidimensional learning experience.
As a vital part of learning, students create their own Morning Lesson Books filled with observations, compositions, diagrams and drawing that illustrate their studies. These colorful, very individualized books reflect each student’s progress, recording not only what has been studied, but also method of inquiry.
Following morning lessons, specialty teachers provide instruction in subject areas such as foreign languages (Spanish or German), handwork, music, woodwork, physical education and eurythmy. Our integrated and extensive course of study provides a comprehensive foundation for a love of learning, academic excellence and creative exploration.
See enrollment information and a downloadable application for our Grade School Program.