strengths: The curriculum is a great, well rounded classic eduction, that serves most children well. It is art based and when it works well teaches kids to think rather than give pat answers. Weaknesses: Children with different learning styles are not so well served. Teachers are chosen and retained based on personality and kowtowing to an elite group that rules the roost rather than credentials and teaching ability. Wealthy parents have far too much say in how the school runs and their children are given special treatment and not held accountable for their behavior.
We enrolled our son in kindergarten. Our son has some social disorders and challenging behavior but has been tested above average in other areas. We told the teacher about the behavioral challenges and she insisted she had the experience to "deal" and work with our child. Our son is now getting kicked out of Waldorf for these challenging behaviors after we had changed his diet, gotten massage therapy, and expensive OT sessions (out of pocket). The worst - only a couple teacher/parent meetings that addressed the behavioral problems, some letters from the teacher with recommendations we followed to the T, and then a letter 3 months later stating our son could not stay anymore. Professional ????? The teachers and school were aware of our sons challenges, promised to work with him, then stated that they don't have time to meet his challenging needs. We are outraged, upset, disgusted, and feel taken. They were kind enough to take our money for most of the semester and couldn't follow through with their promises to help our child with his special needs.
This is a school that will not make accommodations or
modifications for learning-different children. It relies heavily on
the Rudolf Steiner philosophy rather than incorporating modern,
research-based models for learning/teaching. This can lead to
challenges for the relationship between the teacher and students.
Students are taught primarily as a group, rather than individual and
thus individual needs are rather secondary, which is probably fine if
you have a self-motivated, verbal-linguistic oriented child. Girls seem
to fare better than boys overall, especially in upper grades (6th and
above). Weaknesses include challenges in staff to parent communication,
allowance for bullying issues to go unresolved, and rigid adherence to
Steiner tenets. Strengths include a reverence for the arts (music,
handwork, watercolor painting) and nature and the outdoors. Teachers
are generally dedicated but not trained to deal with 21st century
children (use of computers is frowned upon, even as an educational
tool). In addition, teachers are generally expected to be with the same
group of kids for grades 1-8.
Waldorf curriculum is very specifically based on the educational theories
of Rudolf Steiner. There are more than 1000 of these schools
internationally. Teachers stay with the class from 1st through 8th grade
with 'specials' teachers teaching the enrichments. This is amazing when
it works, a disaster when the teacher in not up to the job. Teacher
qualifications are sketchy, some are enormously qualified, others
alarmingly under trained. I have two students at this school. One is
getting all the magic and learning that is promised by the best that
Waldorf offers. The other child is being sorely under served by a very
poor teacher. Love the concept, love it when it works. This school is
going through lots of growing pains. It is all about the teacher. By all
means do check it out but be sure you get to know the teacher before
you enroll.
ZERO STARS: Most Waldorf teachers have NO teaching credentials or formal education themselves! Look at the credentials of the Waldorf school teachers to see for yourself! The role of teacher is filled by MASSAGE THERAPISTS, wannabe actors, self-proclaimed artists, street musicians, even bartenders(!), and a wide array of lost souls with no other career choices. These unqualified losers are the "Lead Teachers" of the Waldorf schools?!? I have become well acquainted with a few of these 'teachers' and KNOW that they possess no formal education or degrees and are NOT qualified for the teaching profession, anywhere. This entire institution is farcical.
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