High School Student Handbook - Introduction
The Morning Verse
I look into the world
In which the sun is shining,
In which the stars are sparkling,
In which the stones repose:
Where living plants are growing,
Where sentient beasts are living;
Where man, soul gifted, gives the spirit a dwelling place.
I look into the soul
That lives within my being.
The World-Creator moves
In sun light and in soul light,
In wide world space without
In soul depths here within.
To thee, creator spirit,
I will now turn my heart
To ask that strength and blessing
To learn and work may grow
Within my inmost being.
This verse by Rudolf Steiner is recited each morning in Waldorf high schools and upper grades all over the world. It calls on us to balance the outer and the inner and to rededicate ourselves daily to the task of learning.
INTRODUCTION
"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives." - Rudolf Steiner
The Chicago Waldorf High School offers an education that balances the academic, the artistic, and the practical. The curriculum is based on the insights of Rudolf Steiner and is designed to cultivate the natural idealism of youth as a foundation for a purposeful and productive adulthood. We work to build the capacities, skills, and imagination essential for the development of free thinking, moral human beings who will make positive contributions to the world.
Welcome to the Chicago Waldorf High School. The faculty and staff have written this handbook to answer any questions you might have about our school and how it works. After you have read it, please let us know if there is anything you are still wondering about.
We have developed the policies and procedures described here to support the mission and vision of our school and to build integrity, trust, and respect among all members of our school community. We hope these common expectations of conduct, academic responsibility, and communication will help us to create a healthy academic and social community.
All students and parents are expected to read this handbook before school starts in September and to agree to abide by its policies.
ACCREDITATION
The Chicago Waldorf School is an accredited member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). We are recognized by the State of Illinois as a private school.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Chicago Waldorf High School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin. All the rights, privileges, programs, and activities are generally accorded or made available to all of the students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, athletic, or other school-administered programs.