At Seattle Waldorf School, we provide a rich curriculum for the grade school child, encompassing a wide variety of subjects and activities, moving at a pace in harmony with the different stages of child development. Fine and practical arts, music, and movement are well-integrated into our strong academic program.
The focus each morning is the two-hour main lesson where reading, writing, math, history, geography and science are taught. Students design, write, and illustrate their own books about each subject. The uniqueness of each child is appreciated and encouraged, and learning happens naturally and rhythmically, in a non-competitive environment. Written evaluations of student progress and parent-teacher conferences provide thorough feed-back for parents.
Often, the class teacher and students progress together through all eight grades, providing an opportunity for forging deep, meaningful relationships between the students, their families, and the teacher. Other teachers add to the weekly rhythm by sharing their specialties in Japanese and Spanish language instruction, string and wind instruments, vocal music, handwork, gardening, woodworking and the unique movement art of eurythmy.
Though there is a great deal of continuity carried forth from the lower grades, the middle school student is further challenged both academically and artistically in an age-appropriate way. With the onset of puberty, children are anxious to step out into the world. As middle school students at Seattle Waldorf School, they are given opportunities to participate in community service projects throughout the Seattle area. Enhanced elective programs of arts and academics bring the outside world into the classroom.
Our students are educated so they may go out into the world ready to meet life’s challenges with knowledge, courage, enthusiasm, creativity and a solid sense of how to think and reason. While some effects of a good education are measurable at the time, many of the most important facets are planted as seeds that will continue to grow and bear fruit in later years.
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