It might sound counterintuitive to think of an urban school providing a hands-on outdoor education focused on building a lifelong relationship with the natural world. But that’s exactly what happens at Waldorf Academy.

“Instead of rote learning useless facts, children need to be taught well-being.”

– Alice O’Keefe in her opinion piece for The Guardian (March 2020)

And while we may dispute that there’s such a thing as “useless facts” (can there really be?), we do wholeheartedly agree that:

“To equip young people to face the challenges of the 21st century, they need to understand their minds and bodies.”

There is always wisdom behind the progression of Waldorf pedagogy. Each subject is designed to reach a child where he or she is at that moment in their physical, emotional, and spiritual development.

There is always wisdom behind the progression of Waldorf pedagogy. Every subject is designed to reach a child where he or she is at that moment in their physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Our curriculum connects children to their place as humans in the greater scheme of the world. This is why Waldorf students spend so much time in nature, where classroom lessons take hold and gain context.

Why do we care so much about our children’s growing dependence on devices?

The day begins in a grade one Waldorf classroom with bouncing balls.

Students rise and form a circle around the classroom. Each child holds a small rubber ball in hand. The teacher initiates counting, whether simple numerical ascent or in fractions or sequences, and the children respond by bouncing in rhythm to the counting.

When David Knight (Class of 2005) reflects on his time at Waldorf Academy, from grade 1 through grade 8, he remembers “the intimacy and the one-on-one time approach.” And, he remembers staying with the same class throughout the years.

“You learn together,” he says. “I’ve stayed connected with my teachers.”