Friday, May 11, 2012

Santa Fe Waldorf School Reviews by Parents

http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=890&state=NM#from..HeaderLink

Posted April 1, 2014

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.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 12, 2013

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.
—Submitted by a parent
Posted February 28, 2011
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. —Submitted by a parent

Posted March 10, 2009
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.
—Submitted by a parent

1 comment:

  1. 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.

    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.