http://www.greatschools.org/washington/east-olympia/2594-Olympia-Waldorf-School/
This school will love you as long as you keep
your pocketbook open and your questions to yourself. Or if you're on
scholarship, then they can pat themselves on the back and believe that
they are really 'making a difference' in the life of a child and the
community. There is no accountibilty, many of the goings-on of the
school are done in a secretive underhanded manner. The school has a
sullied reputation and does not attract top applicants, mostly they
have no choice in who they hire, they hire the only poor soul who
applies. There are children there who's needs can't be met,
educationaly and behaviorly, but rather than say so and loose the
tuition, issues are swept under the rug. These children take time and
effort away from the rest of the class. After years at OWS, my
children are thriving in public school.
The 'pretty package' that first draws you in is very
decieving. It's an easy place to fall in love with! The underlying
dysfunction is overwhelming. There's a huge lack of supervision on the
playground that leads to accidents and bullying. Some teachers seem
disgruntled by the pay and despite their best efforts, it shows.
Parents are asked and asked for money and it seems to go into the same
black hole over and over. The best 'they' can do to keep you enrolled
is to keep you in fear about what your children might face in the
dreaded Public School System. Waldorf Education is lovely and it
makes alot of sense.....this particular school just falls way short.
I did not like this school, my child was subject to bullying by children and the teachers supported it. My child also got very far behind academically and has had to have a lot of tutoring ot catch up. What is really upsetting is that the 'Waldorf method' gets children behind and then they are sort of stuck there. I did not like the lack of accountability that the school did. A poor choice for our family and I wasted a lot of money and time thinking it was such a pretty education. I wish I had been more cautious. My experience is that the community is very clicky and it is very hard on adults and children. My child had a very disagreeable experience with the teacher and it was very sad to see the teacher degrade my child's self esteem. Also, the curriculum is very cultish.
I choose this school because of the research I have
done on education. Unfortunately, the school does not conform to the
principles it portorts to hold. Many of the teachers do not have an
actual teaching certificate or any university certificated education in
child develop as it relates to education. My child's specific teacher
had no accountability and was not even aware that my son was not doing
any of the work. At the end of 2nd grade he still did not know any of
his vowel sounds. Since he has left, his self esteem has rebounded and
he is doing so much better.
As a former student, I have to say that I will never have my child attend this school when I have a child. When I left the school to attend public high school, I was shocked. I had never had my teacher give me consequences for not handing in my work and suddenly the teachers expected me to do the work and do it on time. I was so lost and behind the other kids. I had alot to learn once I left OWS. I will never make my child go through that!
My child attended Olympia Waldorf School for 5 years. In that time we had some good experiences but also many poor experiences. There seemed to be very little communication between teachers and parents except ways to give time or money to the school. The kindergarten is very nuturing and gentle which is why we chose this school.
We tried and tried to make this school work as
we had vision of what a Waldorf school could be. But after 5 years, we
could not take anymore. There are serious issues with accountability.
Now my son is struggling to make up all that he should have gotten in
those first years. I really feel that I let him down as a mother by
having him go to this school.
A horrible place that seems to promote the status quo.
I am so sorry we restructured our lives and moved, bought a house, left
good jobs to have our son go to a school that seemed better than it is.
Found that there was some catering to those who had
more money, there was some problem with one of the teachers and it
seemed that it was not really dealt with. Feel that that teacher
dragged down the whole school, Many children dropped out of his class
and left the school. Felt that there are too many cliques in the school
that get in the way of what a Waldorf school should be. Certain teacher
should practice what he preaches in the school. Other teachers did
very well only wished my child could have had them for teachers because
of their positive attitude.
The academics for the children are behind for even basic
success in a 'school' environment, security of the children while in
school and on the playground was seriously dismissed, and we found that
'the community' has a hard time excepting and communicating with the new
parents and students...
I would say it is a waste of money and
seriously lacking in accountability and respect for children and adults.
I do not recommend this school and suggest you find a real Waldorf
school somewhere else as they are not a real Waldorf school.
I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of accountability
for academics and the way the teacher's are allowed to be emotionally
and verbally abrasive. A disappointing and expensive experience. The
administration was not effective in managing any conflict and there was
not any accountability about teacher conduct or lack of.
My child regressed while attending school here. When I brought
it up with the teacher he did not address it. Disipline is rather old
school. There is little supervision on the playground. Lastly, the
parent community is rather exclusive in many ways. I found that it was
neccessary for new parents to prove themselves in some way to attain the
status of 'part of the community.'
This school is a joke. Can I give 0's. They
are rude to parents do not communicate and my son says he isn't
learning anything and wants to go to a different school so he can learn.
What more do I have to say.
I said the music teacher was a Luddite for not allowing the use of electronic tuners and I was sent a "No Contact" order by certified mail. This is regarding my 5th grader who was allowed to proceed to this point and is unable to read...I had to raise hell to get them to arrange a meeting with the public school district in Thurston County to get him some help. Now they are assessing to see if indeed he is more than two years behind his class and whether or not they should allow help. What I want to know is how a "school" can operate like this. We are constantly asked for more and more money and there is no help available for a child who obviously needs a little extra help. The state should shut this dog and pony show DOWN. If I wasn't forced by a divorced spouse to school the kids there, I would pull them out in a heartbeat. I have two kids there now, and I hate every minute they have to spend with these losers.
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