Friday, May 11, 2012

Corvallis Waldorf School Reviews by Parents

Posted March 6, 2007
it is not a place where your child will learn to compete. The chidren there are
very calm, but on the other hand if your child is a high energy type 'A'
personality - she/ he will not fit there.  —Submitted by a parent

4 comments:

  1. This school has changed since I first enrolled my children 4 years ago. It has become less Holistic and more about keeping the children in line.There is not a lot of room in the school culture for ambiguity in life choices and children's behavior. One of my kids has done well there because he fits in easily. My other child is not doing so well and the new "support" person they brought in (Director of Pedagogy) is intolerant of "childish" behavior. Yes, you read that right. I recommend this school for anyone who is hippyish, mostly caucasian, a rules follower (never questions authority) and like has been stated in a previous comment very calm and low energy. If you child is a free thinker, naturally energetic, and competitive, this may not bee the school for her. If she is naturally inquisitive and questions norms, this school is not for her. Rather than gaining a strong sense of self and good education, she will end each day feeling ashamed for her natural tendencies, and labeled a "problem." This is very unfortunate since this is not what most Waldorf schools are like.

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  2. My family's experience at Corvallis Waldorf School has been terrible. I'm grateful that my children are resilient and that we've been able to heal the wounds inflicted on them--mainly one. Like "Anonymous" stated above, if your child is naturally inquisitive, a free thinker, and physically energetic, CWS will not support her. She will be frowned upon as a problem child. The school, at one time, was more conducive to this type of learning and play, but recent changes in directorship have shifted the culture to that of a parochial, dogmatic, environment. Some of the teachers may still hold true to the Waldorf philosophy, but the Director of Pedagogy does not. I've seen her bio on the school website and in other areas of the web, but I sense there is more to the story there. Scary woman. Has her own agenda. Should you be considering this school for your children, please look thoroughly at those in charge. And if your child is already attending, please talk to them about their meetings and tea time with the Director of Pedagogy--ask the right questions. Get to the truth.

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    Replies
    1. Our experience at CWS has been hard too. We've stepped back and received some council before deciding to write any reviews. It has been a while since the dust settled and our humiliated child, like your children, is also resilient. We have decided that what the ultimate problem is out their at Corvallis Waldorf School, is a lack of integrity and quite a bit of ignorance. The teachers are mostly in a daze and would never do well in any other type of teaching environment other than home-school or peace-corp. The culture is much like life in a 1900 prairie school with a leaning toward students with behavioral problems. There are better Waldorf Schools. Parents do need to realize the adults they are talking with, there, are caught up in the cult-like, Nazi era philosophy. They don't want just anybody there. They are very selective because they view the children as "little spirits" and only want those they deem to be "pure." They also want families they can mold or at least convince what they are doing is progressive. I also agree about the Director of Pedagogy. How in the heck did she get that job? What is her true mission? Something is off there. Seems sinister.

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  3. Our experience at CWS has been hard too. We've stepped back and received some council before deciding to write any reviews. It has been a while since the dust settled and our humiliated child, like your children, is also resilient. We have decided that what the ultimate problem is out their at Corvallis Waldorf School, is a lack of integrity and quite a bit of ignorance. The teachers are mostly in a daze and would never do well in any other type of teaching environment other than home-school or peace-corp. The culture is much like life in a 1900 prairie school with a leaning toward students with behavioral problems. There are better Waldorf Schools. Parents do need to realize the adults they are talking with, there, are caught up in the cult-like, Nazi era philosophy. They don't want just anybody there. They are very selective because they view the children as "little spirits" and only want those they deem to be "pure." They also want families they can mold or at least convince what they are doing is progressive. I also agree about the Director of Pedagogy. How in the heck did she get that job? What is her true mission? Something is off there. Seems sinister.

    ReplyDelete

You may ask, "where are all the 5=Star reviews?" Well, the problem with those reviews is that many tend not to be too honest. I have included 4-star reviews that appear honest. Often, gushing reviews are placed by teachers and administrators - as some comments here indicate. "This school educates the whole child!!!" - 5 stars - by Anonymous... I say baloney! Notice, many of the reviewers have been misled by Waldorf and are still buying the PR, even after having been disappointed. Feel free to comment but understand the intent of this blog. Comments are no longer moderated.