Cedar Springs Waldorf School

Cedar Springs Waldorf School (K-8) is a child-centered school that honors the individuality and beauty of each child. The Waldorf curriculum, which is designed to develop and nurture all aspects of the child--body, mind and spirit--is active, hands-on and uses multiple senses and learning faculties at once. It is structured and rhythmic, and gently tailored to what students need at each developmental stage. The children do math drills while passing rhythm sticks or bouncing balls, for instance; and academic concepts are reinforced through art, in the shape of form drawings, sculpture, music, poetry and drama. A strong emphasis is also placed on social development and relating to one another with mutual respect and compassion. This emphasis infuses the whole school community--it is truly a unique and inspiring culture, and you can feel this just by being on campus. I have watched with gratitude as my kids have grown and blossomed in this environment, into compassionate, creative, curious and socially responsible young people.

Outstanding academics combined with true community at Cedar Springs Waldorf. I was extremely skeptical of the Waldorf approach to education, but was willing to accept the examples of stand out academic results from alumni that the school provided when making the decision to have my children at Cedar Springs. Since having one child graduate (Senior at Union Mine HS) and the other entering 7th, I don't believe there would have been a better experience for our family and result on many levels for our children anywhere else. The environment, campus, community support and individualized child development are the cornerstones of the Cedar Springs experience, simply outstanding.

You know you''re in the right place when your kid wants to go to school on the weekends! The teachers are warm, understanding, aware, and so nurturing. Our experience in the early childhood program has absolutely changes our lives for the better. Our son's imagination has just exploded since coming here. He is happier, healthier, and we are too.

"A love of learning that lasts a life time" Each day my children's teachers amaze me in the ways they insure that "learning" is full of joy and excitement, what an incredible gift.

Sending our children to Cedar Springs Waldorf was the best investment we made as parents. Our children both began in Pre-K at Cedar Springs and have truly benefited as students and human beings from the enriched education and approach. Our son who graduated from CSWS is now thriving as a junior at El Dorado High School, achieving academic honors and participating on the county-wide Robotics Team. The Waldorf approach of waiting to introduce technology until the children are older has been a gift to both of our children who spent more of their childhoods reading books, doing creative activities and playing nature, rather than in front of a screen. The Waldorf approach actually seemed to better prepare our son for academics and technology. His capacity for problem solving and imagination developed at Waldorf enhanced his capacity for robotics and other academic subjects and technology. We would highly recommend Waldorf and Cedar Springs, in particular.

We cannot imagine a better place for our children to be. Cedar Springs is like home. We love the community of people, the faculty and, of course, the exceptional education our three children are receiving. We strongly believe education should support mind and body development. Waldorf accomplishes this utilizing their developmental based theories and by respecting each child in their education process. Our children are growing not only with knowledge, but with the love of knowledge. We know that they are better people for the experiences they are receiving here at Cedar Springs.