50 years of Waldorf education in Chicago
Conceived around a kitchen table by a group of Chicago parents and educators, the Chicago Waldorf School opened in 1974 with a kindergarten class in a rented classroom at the Church of the Three Crosses in Lincoln Park. On the first day, there were five children and one teacher. Three years later, in 1977, a 1st Grade was added, and the school began to grow at a rate of one grade per year until the first nine-member 8th Grade graduated in 1985. The school remained at eight grades until 1994 when a 9th and 10th Grade were added and the high school established. The first nine 12th Graders graduated from the school in 1997.
In 2018, we moved into our permanent home here at the former Lyman Trumbull Elementary. We have come a long way since our first day fifty years ago, but we remain as committed as ever to educating curious, free-thinking, compassionate young people.
Celebrate with us
Throughout 2024, we'll be celebrating our first fifty years of bringing this beautiful education to Chicago, and we hope you'll be celebrating with us! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn about upcoming festivities, or, better yet, sign up for Next Week at Waldorf, our weekly newsletter!
Get into the groove by listening to a playlist of 74 hit songs from 1974 - the year we were founded:
On Saturday, March 16th, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary Gala. Together, the community raised over $425,000. Below is a selection of photos from the evening, taken by TK Photography:
alumni community,
we want to hear from you!
Whether you’re a former student, teacher, staff member, board member, parent, guardian, grandparent, or community member, we want you to celebrate with us! You’re the reason we’re here and this is your celebration, too!
Do you have photos or memories you’d like to share? Do you want to join us for an upcoming event? Send us a message below to get involved.
