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Charlottesville Waldorf School builds a foundation that allows children to meet the future with courage, integrity, and a sense of service. Charlottesville Waldorf School is an independent preschool (age 2) through middle school (grade 8) school located in Charlottesville, Virginia. We work out of the Waldorf curriculum developed by Rudolf Steiner, evolving and growing this comprehensive and progressive educational program to effectively meet the children of the 21st century. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and connection with each other and the world surrounding us. Waldorf schools are based on a clearly defined view of child development and strive to educate not only the intellect, but also the child's full and essential humanity-his or her ability to feel and to do, as well as to think.
The Waldorf curriculum recognizes that our common humanity develops in clear, predictable and understandable stages, which should be honored, not rushed through.
The Charlottesville Waldorf School exists to offer education
based on an anthroposophical understanding of the human being as
developed by Rudolf Steiner and as nurtured through the active
self-development and child observation of our faculty.We seek to
provide the child with the physical environment and stimulation of
the imagination needed at each stage of his or her growth in order
to awaken the new capacities required to reach his or her full
adult potential.
Our programs thus provide a developmentally appropriate
curriculum presented in age-appropriate ways in each classroom,
beginning with our youngest nursery children and continuing through
eighth grade. The early childhood program is play-based and engages
the young children in the activities they need to develop physical,
social, and imaginative capacities in a warm, home-like
environment. Great attention is given to the rhythms of the day and
the cycles of the year in the teachers' work on the dcor and on
artistic and practical activities. Teachers also work closely with
the parents of their students in discussions of developmental
stages and how to work with them at home.
The grade school program engages students in intensive
three-to-four-week studies of themes accompanied by high academic,
artistic, and behavior standards that are designed to prepare the
child for later demands on his or independent judgment. These main
lesson blocks provide students in grades one through eight with
academic skills through the study of human culture that follows the
awakening of human consciousness through history. The grade school
class teacher often stays with the class for several grades and
serves as a loving authority who comes to know the students very
well, thus being in a position to meet readily the needs of the
individual student.
Both programs hold the clear goals of cultivating a reverential
attitude toward the world and the capacity to engage the
imagination in the world; developing faculties of perception; and
strengthening the will to carry out one's own initiatives, whether
through speech, athletics, mathematics, music, scientific
discovery, or artistic expression. We see all of this as vital to
the healthy development of the child toward adulthood.
Grades: PK-12 | 50 students19.8 miles 9357 Critzers Shop Road Afton, VA 22920 (540) 456-6853
19.8
PK-12
50
School Reviews
5.00 out of 5(5 reviews)
58/11/2018
I have two girls in the school. Such an enriching atmosphere that makes learning a part of all experiences...rather than a slog.
- Posted by Parent - Rebecca. D
57/21/2018
The best decision we made for our daughter. She started when she was 3 and I have seen her blooming under the guidance of some phenomenal teachers. The curriculum is a whole approach and not just cherry picking topics. The science taught in upper grades made me want to go back to school and learn again the Waldorf way. The science fair showcases the talent of the students and the hard work the faculty puts in. It`s a great investment in a child`s future.
- Posted by Parent - Shilpi B
57/21/2018
Passionate staff and faculty, excellent execution of the Waldorf philosophy, a gorgeous 13 acre campus. This is the school everyone needs. We love CWS!
- Posted by Parent - DMT
57/21/2018
Fantastic curriculum, wise and experienced teachers, a place where children can actually be in nature, fully nurtured in art, music, handwork... challenged and enriched in meaningful, engaged academics, fantastic mind-body connection... so grateful for a Waldorf community here in Charlottesville.
- Posted by Parent - Natasha Copeland
55/2/2015
I went to the Waldorf school for 12 years. I am now a professor in industrial design and working with the most demanding design clients. My school years were the most cherished time of my life, especially the first 6 years. It was filled with all the magic that life has to offer: Crafts, singing and playing theatre, eurythmics, painting, drawing, storytelling about all subjects from ancient history to biology and physics. I felt so lucky to LOVE going to school, which was more that could be said for my neighbourhood friend that went to public schools. Public schools in Scandinavia tend to be more and more looking to the Steiner/Waldorf schools for "inspiration" and for a good reason. It makes school both inspiring and therefore an "efficient" place for learning and experiencing so many facets of life. Unfortunately it can be pricey, but if you can afford it it is the best gift you can give your child/children. (The weak point of the system is that it is very dependant on the class' pricipal teacher's capacity to spread joy, but most of them are very dedicated and passionate about their jobs.)
- Posted by Student/Alumni - b
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