Pasadena Waldorf School is a community for those who think deeply about the world and their place in it.
It is a conscious approach to parenting and education founded on the wisdom of Rudolf Steiner who opened the first Waldorf School in 1919.
Steiner recognized that every child is gifted; he inspired teachers to know each student individually and to meet them authentically, with a rich, holistic and experiential curriculum that has been thoughtfully developed and intentionally structured with the healthy development of the child at the center.
The results are confident, talented, grateful and conscientious individuals who know they are capable of achieving whatever they can imagine and they graduate with a great capacity for imagination!
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked CA School
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
- Enrollment: 340 students
- Yearly Tuition: $31,450
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Average class size: 20 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Pasadena Waldorf School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Organizational support for High School Students with IEP or 504 plan
Year Founded
1979
Summer School Offered
Yes
Student Body
Total Students
340 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
No logos or media-inspired clothing
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$31,450
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $14,160 for part-time preschool to $31,450 for high school. Check our website for current rates.
Summer Program Cost Notes
Pricing is weekly
% on Financial Aid
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$12,000
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Diane LaSalle
Admissions Associate
Leslie Stevens
Sports
Total Sports Offered
5 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
15 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
choir, drama (integrated into curriculum at age appropriate grades), eurythmy, knitting, line drawing, music ensembles, orchestra, painting, pentatonic flute, photography, sculpture, string instruments, weaving, wind intruments, wood working
choir, drama (integrated into curriculum at age appropriate grades), eurythmy, knitting, line drawing, music ensembles, orchestra, painting, pentatonic flute, photography, sculpture, string instruments, weaving, wind intruments, wood working
School Notes
- New applicants are considered for every grade, space permitting. Individual and group tours are available through the school year.
- All students take both Mandarin and Spanish languages from 1st through 8th grade and choose one for high school.
- All students learn Stringed instruments (cello, violin, viola) beginning in third grade and a wind instrument is added in fifth grade; previous experience is not required for new students.
- High school students can choose a music path: orchestra with strings or wind instruments, guitar or percussion ensembles.
- All students take Instrumental and vocal music throughout the grades.
- Foreign exchange program with other Waldorf schools is available for high school students.
- Painting, drawing, beeswax and clay modeling are integrated into the curriculum
- Cursive writing is taught in third grade
- Eurythmy/movement is taught from Kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Outdoor games and physical education are offered in everygrade
- Competitive Sports; volleyball, track, flag football, and soccer are offered from fifth grade through high school .
- Manual arts handwork (knitting, cross stitch, felting, weaving, sewing), woodwork, leather work andcrafts are taught beginning in first grade and continue through the grades
- Camping, class trips, day field trips and excursions occur throughout the year.
- Class plays are an integral part of the curriculum.
- Festivals and seasonal performances are incorporated into the fabric of the school's social life. These occasions provide opportunity for reverence and joy.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Pasadena Waldorf School cost?
Pasadena Waldorf School's tuition is approximately $31,450 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Pasadena Waldorf School?
The acceptance rate of Pasadena Waldorf School is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 84%.
What sports does Pasadena Waldorf School offer?
Pasadena Waldorf School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Pasadena Waldorf School's ranking?
Pasadena Waldorf School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Pasadena Waldorf School?
The application deadline for Pasadena Waldorf School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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The nearest high school and preschool to Pasadena Waldorf School is Pasadena Waldorf High School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Fair Oaks School (0.3 miles away)
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School Reviews
5 1/25/2018
I am consistently impressed and touched by how much time the teachers take to prepare lessons for their specific group of kids. There is a huge amount of crafting that goes into making the learning here meaningful and relevant to the students. Every school day for my kids had real meaning, real challenge and I can see their growing sense of purpose. Sure, it's still school- with things they like and things they don't.... but in that context it is the best I can imagine for them.
5 12/27/2017
This place is great. The teachers care about the kids. Curriculum is appropriate for each grade and builds on prior years. Students are taught to communicate, be respectful and care about the world they live in. The facilities are top notch, lots of room for kids to play and be imaginative. The music and arts programs are the best. Science is taught through observation and experimentation, which is the way it should be. The administration cares about each child and really supports parents in their educational journey. I highly recommend PWS.
5 12/27/2017
Great School, wonderful and engaged parent community. Caring and committed teachers, unusual but very effective and time tested curriculum.
5 12/26/2017
All three of our children are going to or have gone to this exceptional school from kindergarten through high school. Our eldest is now in her second year in college in Chicago and she credits her Waldorf education on a regular basis on helping her navigate her new life in a strange city and a challenging institution with confidence.
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