Grade School Curriculum

Waldorf students are educated in rhythm with their physical, mental, and emotional development; lessons are taught in a way that touches the students’ experience and understanding in order to challenge and stimulate, addressing not only the intellect but also the imagination. For example in Grades One and Two, arithmetic and reading are introduced and developed through the use of fairy tales and fables.

Through a multi-faceted approach, students are immersed in the subject at hand by taking field trips, such as a star-gazing camping trip for astronomy studies, or an overnight farm trip for agricultural studies. Artistic activities are relevant to the subject being studied as students paint or draw their observations, learn songs that relate to the material, and take part in an annual play that is reflective of one of their areas of study.

Beginning in Third Grade, each Grade School class participates in an event that pertains to one of their areas of study during the year. For example, Fifth Grade students spend some of their year studying ancient cultures; these studies culminate in ancient Greece and the class prepares for and takes part in a weekend Olympiad competition with other area Waldorf schools.