Why Waldorf High School?

Our Core Values

At Seattle Waldorf High School, our innovative approach to education is distinguished by three core values: Integrated Curriculum, Social Responsibility, and The Cultivation of Idealism. It is these values—sustained by our curriculum, guided by our teachers, and supported by our community—that make Seattle Waldorf High School (and our students) extraordinary.

Integrated Curriculum

Our experiential approach is grounded in the developmental tasks of adolescence—recognizing the marked difference between the ways in which a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old learn. Integrated curriculum incorporates arts, outdoor education, and practical skills with traditional academics. Students are able to explore the same material from different angles, resulting in a complex understanding of the subject matter and a deep love of learning.

Social Responsibility

Collaboration forms the fabric of our school community because, in the real world, the ability to work effectively with others is a critical, foundational skill. Both individually and as a group, our students have abundant opportunities to problem solve in ways that have a positive impact, discovering our interdependence first-hand. When learning happens in the context of positive relationships, young people engage and come to understand the value of social responsibility.

Cultivation of Idealism

We value our students’ idealism as a source for new possibilities, and our school culture supports their passions and values. As they learn more about the world’s complexities, students often revisit their ideals and ask themselves, “Is this still true for me?” Young adults want and need validation and a sense of purpose in their academic lives, emotional lives, and work lives. When we protect their innate sense of optimism, their evolution comes from within, in the context of a community that values their input.