Highland Hall Waldorf School

My child and I went to the Mommy & Me class with Mrs. Shabazi and she is an absolute angel. This was the best class ever and really helped me with my parenting. My kid is now in kindergarten. I have checked out every school in Los Angeles and this is definitely the best school in the city. If you want your child to know who they are and feel comfortable in their skin so that they can be free to express their spirit and be seen, then this is the place to go. This school produces the most confident, present children that are not afraid to be who they are.

We all SAY that we want our kids to have a "happy childhood", and wish them to grow into happy, successful adults. But the sad truth is, most of our kids are drowning in busy-work homework sheets, social stress & "grade" stress...wasn't like that when I was a kid! Who is climbing a tree, gardening or playing in the sunshine during the day? And who is hypnotized by mindless TV and video games and texting at too young of an age? HMMM? Our daughter entered Highland Hall in 7th grade, after the disappointing experience of public middle school ( 6th grade) in a popular "10 out of 10" school district. (Parents Beware:The transition from elementary to middle school can be challenging enough, even with a "great kid" like ours!) Highland Hall is a breath of fresh air- literally! Traditional education isn't teaching our kids the CAPACITY to learn, to adapt, to COLLABORATE or to think for themselves, and Highland Hall does just that. We have never seen our daughter SO excited about academics...from chemistry to music, deep immersion into 2 foreign languages, history, math, etc. We have also never seen her so socially conscious, collaborative, and creating meaningful relationships without the "clique" factor. The teachers here are so dedicated to being PARTNERS with the parents to create a whole child through a "head, hands and heart" curriculum. What a different world it would be if all people were educated in the brilliant reflection of Rudolph Steiner's reverence and respect for children and the world...If you think this school doesn't have rigorous academics, think again. Just because they teach through art & music, does not mean the kids aren't fully immersed in deep, fully integrated academics. This is not the traditional "teach for the test scores" and fill in the bubbles...and then forget what you learned shortly thereafter. This school is the greatest gift you can give your children. We are so proud of the ethical, moral, intellectual and HAPPY child we are raising, and are so grateful to Highland Hall for being an example of the highest standards for LIFE.

Our daughter goes to the nursery school at Highland Hall and I have to say, you really get what you pay for. There simply is no place like this and I feel proud that I`m giving the best to my daughter. This is a place where my daughter is free to develop herself naturally and find out what her unique contribution to the world is. The teachers, staff and larger community make this school a home.

Highland Hall Waldorf School is much more than just a school for our son. It's his tribe, his village, his friends for life, and then there's the involved parents and most of all the amazing teachers whom I will always cherish. Alex was at Carpenter in Studio City and doing well but you could sense he was getting lost in that sea of children, pushed around too much on those paved playgrounds. And I had a friend who's 3 children had had a dream childhood at Highland Hall so I finally did the tour. And I knew we wanted in. In a nut shell everything they stood for was my way of thinking. Deep and full of purpose, caring and incredibly welcoming and personal. And most of all the same and yet much more of what I new was going to make Alex a really great human being. And so he thrives and has friends and relationships I can't imagine he would have at any other school. And Highland Hall's curriculum is everything he needs and then some. The teachers are unique, caring and most of all a team. A really dedicated faculty that really cares and guides. The whole idea of how the school is run and the diversity of the education is really worth understanding. Especially with the way the world is today. I am telling you do not miss the opportunity of having your kids go to this school. And yes it goes through to high school and prepares them for the tough world and the college life that lies ahead. Feel free to email back if you'd like more information from me.

Our child had been at Highland Hall since she was in the Parent and Child class with the warm and wonderful Mrs. Shahbazzi. Now in second grade, our daughter is flourishing. The school presents academics in an age-appropriate way, so that the children love school. Arts and music are integrated into the curriculum, supporting critical thinking later on. And, she's learning two languages. She loves the teachers, is relaxed and joyful...and learning. We love the school.