Minnesota Waldorf School

MWS is a terrific, nurturing, and warm community in which to work. Not only are my colleagues engaging, kind, and good to work with, but so is the parent community. The students are, bar none curious, engaged, and well-supported by their families. I also send my son here, and he is thriving in this environment. His grandmother, after a discussion about physics that my 7th grader had with his physicist uncle, commented on how he could form questions, listened to the answers, and was highly engaged with the conversation. Exactly the kind of education that I wanted for him and that I deliver to my students.

My three children have attended Minnesota Waldorf School (MWS) for 4 years now. My biggest draws to the school are (1) the amount of outdoor/recess time (2) focus on experience over test scores and (3) deep relationships - between child and teachers as well as the parent community. It's a wonderful school set on an amazing 8-acre campus.

There are some great things about Minnesota Waldorf School, but I would not recommend for a child with an IEP. They can get left behind. Also, if there are social issues, it can vary from teacher to teacher how the situation is handled. The school structure is strange and lacks a principal, so there isn't one person who is responsible. The result is that problems do not get addressed in a timely or effective way. Art, music and theater are very strong at this school. I am not sure if the good outweighs the bad though.

We joined MWS in the middle of my daughter`s second grade year. We were leaving a difficult school year and anticipated a rough transition. After one day visiting the school, our daughter pleaded to attend MWS, immediately. After three days of her visiting, we sat down with the teacher and learned she already understood our child`s learning process, and had ideas how to facilitate her catching up. Our daughter began to blossom academically, emotionally and socially within weeks of joining MWS. Nights of stomachaches, tears and ravaged sleep, became happy dinner conversations, a new interest in learning and calm nights. Our son who had been doing fine at the previous school, is excelling at MWS. We have been delighted by the Waldorf pedagogy, the fantastic teachers, and the expansive outdoor space. One last benefit we had not anticipated, but are also grateful for is the community of parents. They show interest and support for my children, all the children, as they do their own.

I have had 3 children graduate from MWS and one child who is currently enrolled. The faculty and curriculum are without parallel - Fantastic! My children were well prepared for high school and beyond - and I am often asked by teachers where they went before high school as they ask the deeper questions in class, are interested in learning and curious about applications of their learning in the larger world. It's also an wonderful place where students explore the world through the arts and language - including great storytelling! I highly recommend Minnesota Waldorf School.

I am an alumni parent, having sent three children to the Minnesota Waldorf School. The oldest is now an entrepreneur in his mid-30's running his own farm where he milks cows, makes and sells cheese. I deeply appreciate the education all my children received and would do it all again in a heartbeat. Waldorf education gave my adult children a solid foundation and the ability to think and act creatively. If you're looking to help your children think outside the box, the Waldorf school is the way to go.

My two daughter's have attend Minnesota Waldorf school for the past nine years. I believe they are receiving an excellent education. By way of introduction, I am a professor at a state university and have been teaching since 1990. As one who teaches, I have a deep appreciation for education and how it shapes an individual's whole being. When my children began at the Minnesota Waldorf School I did not understand much of the Waldorf pedagogy or who was Rudolph Steiner. I still don't have full comprehension of either, but I don't really have to in order to know that my children are participating in an amazing school. My children's happiness and sense of growing curiosity about how to engage in the world are clear evidence of the school's strength. Like all parents I want my children to succeed. The Minnesota Waldorf School is part of that equation. Indeed, they are getting the kind of education I desire for every child. I see many students in college unable to form engaging questions, unable to think for themselves, and unable to stand up for themselves. For me, these kinds of deficits reveal teaching structures that have diminished a person's potential. A Waldorf education prepares individuals for a future world we cannot imagine. Critical thinking skills and a sense of worth and well being are fostered every day at MWS. There is a sense of kindness and welcoming love that I know are nurturing my children. I love that MWS teaches to the whole child, and not just to his/her head, not just to a test. Come to Minnesota Waldorf School. See the kids. They are the proof that something remarkable is happening. I think you will be surprised. I suspect that we all desire for our children: love, kindness, and a nurturing place that will help them grow into their potential. My family has found these fundamentals at MWS.

My two children have attended Minnesota Waldorf School for four years. We made the decision to have them attend a Waldorf school after seeing a friend's (now adult) daughter's experience in a California Waldorf school. Both children have thrived at MWS and are happy and excited to go to school every morning. MWS is a great community. I love being part of a community of families with shared values (no/limited screen time for young children, outdoor play, art, music, recess, natural and organic foods, tolerance, emphasis on reduce, reuse, recycle). The support of its teachers, staff, and other parents has been invaluable.

I have two children attending MWS and I cannot imagine them ever attending anywhere else. The faculty and staff are supportive, warm and very committed to the success of each child. The focus is on meeting your child where they are at on a personal, academic and social level to develop your child's unique gifts I highly recommend MWS.

All it took was one visit to know this was the right school for our daughter! We share the idea that time spent outdoors in kindergarten (and later), enhancing their imaginations and being creative seem more appropriate than "pushing" academics and homework too soon.

My son attended Minnesota Waldorf School from 4th - 8th grade (graduated June 2015) and it was a wonderful experience. The teachers at the school are very passionate and care deeply about the students well-being and development. Subjects are brought in a very hands on way that captures a wide variety of learning styles. They start academics and homework a bit later than some schools, but by the upper grades they are approaching very challenging materials with confidence. I would wholeheartedly recommend this school to any family in the Twin Cities!

My daughter just finished her last year of Kindergarten at the Minnesota Waldorf School and will be going on to first grade in the fall. We could not be happier with the teachers, classrooms, community and curriculum at MWS. It is a warm and loving environment, the academic schedule is based on neurological studies of how the brain develops and the optimal time to introduce math, science and reading. And of course we love the emphasis on connecting kids to the outdoors and limiting media exposure. This is a fabulous school and must be experienced to really understand its uniqueness and beauty. Do yourself and your child a favor: call to set up a visit.

My children are getting a well round and inspiring education. We love the curriculum and the community.

Our children are very happy and enthusiastic about going to school here. Compared to other schools we looked at, the environment is calm, respectful and fun. The children are very well rounded academically, artistically and athletically. What a great place to learn.

Sending our children to the Minnesota Waldorf School--best decision ever!

Excellent, community oriented school. Broad curriculum does not leave out the arts, music and physical education along with sold academics taught in a developmental manner.