The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #7 - At the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, our beautiful homelike environment is carefully curated for the developmental needs of the young child.Warm, nurturing and intentionally filled with beautiful, natural elements. Your child's day will breathe with a natural rhythm. Playing and working together in mixed-age groups, our play-based program will provide your child firm foundation for our grades program.

The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia

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The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #1 - The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is a nursery through 8th grade school located in the heart of Germantown. We are a school that adheres to a unique and time-tested curriculum and our students are free to learn without the pressure and stress of standardized testing.
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The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #1 - The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is a nursery through 8th grade school located in the heart of Germantown. We are a school that adheres to a unique and time-tested curriculum and our students are free to learn without the pressure and stress of standardized testing.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #2 - The outdoors is a big component of our program because we believe that children learn best through play, exploration, and imitation. Our approach to education meets students with a balance of activities that challenge their emerging skills and capacities.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #3 - The Waldorf School of Philadelphia offers a comprehensive liberal arts education - in middle school. It's an uncompromising, yet unexpected foundation that will serve your child for the rest of her life. When students graduate from eighth grade at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, they have developed into critical thinkers with agile penetrating minds, ready to attain new heights.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #4 - The history curriculum begins with the American, French and Industrial Revolution and proceeds through the American Civil War to modern times. Geometry includes Platonic solids and Euclidean geometry, while algebra focuses on quadratic equations. We challenge our students to consider modern political and scientific history. We put emphasis on biographies of influential individuals, and use them as a platform for
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #5 - The Waldorf early childhood programs at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia consist of parent & child classes, a nursery for two-year-olds, and our mixed-aged early childhood classes for three-five year olds. Each class is tailored to meet the nuanced development of the growing child. We provide families the opportunity of extended care and our early childhood programs have been certified.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #6 - The Handwork curriculum includes skills such as knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, embroidery, felting, paper crafts, pattern design and machine sewing. Some of the obvious benefits of the handwork program include improved hand-eye coordination, basic math skills such as the four math processes.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #7 - Music is an essential part of the Waldorf curriculum and permeates the school day from early childhood to eighth grade. Music enlivens the spirit and increases a child's capacity for learning by helping to improve focus and concentration and by creating an atmosphere of wonder and appreciation for beauty in the world.
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Photo #8 - At the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, our beautiful homelike environment is carefully curated for the developmental needs of the young child.Warm, nurturing and intentionally filled with beautiful, natural elements. Your child's day will breathe with a natural rhythm. Playing and working together in mixed-age groups, our play-based program will provide your child firm foundation for our grades program.
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia strives to create a social, cultural, and learning environment that recognizes the child's spiritual freedom and growth.
We are a school that adheres to a unique and time-tested curriculum where our students are free to learn without the pressure and stress of standardized testing. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner's insights into human development, the Waldorf School of Philadelphia nurtures the physical, emotional, and intellectual capacities of the growing child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia engenders in its students the academic, social, artistic, and practical abilities that will enable them to become self-reliant and generous individuals capable of meeting whatever challenges they face in the future.
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is one of many Waldorf schools around the world but the only one of its kind in the city of Philadelphia, providing affordable, flexible, programs that serve children ages 2 through 14.
We benefit from the external support offered by our fully accredited member status in the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked PA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 196 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $21,900
  • Average class size: 19 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1996
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
196 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 27%
Students by Grade
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
19 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition is based on enrollment. Our school has part time options for Early Childhood.
Summer Program Cost Notes
More information will be posted Winter 2024. Scholarships available.
% on Financial Aid
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,000
Admissions Director
Maggie Davis

Sports

Total Sports Offered
2 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
7 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Chess Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Handwork & Woodworking, Handwork Program, Music, Orchestra, Theater Program

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Basketball

School Notes

  • The Waldorf School of Philadelphia strives to create a social, cultural, and learning environment that recognizes the child's spiritual freedom and growth.We are a school that adheres to a unique and time-tested curriculum where our students are free to learn without the pressure and stress of standardized testing.
  • Inspired by Rudolf Steiner's insights into human development, the Waldorf School of Philadelphia is avibrant learning community where education - based on a deep understanding of the developing child - integrates the intellectual with the artistic and the practical with the beautiful, fostering the ability to engage fully in the world.
  • Our substantively rich academic curriculum includes many special subject classes such as Spanish, Music, Handwork, Games, Eurythmy, Orchestra, Sculpture, and Woodworking.
  • The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is one of many Waldorf schools around the world but the only one of its kind in the city of Philadelphia, providing affordable, flexible, programs that serve children ages 2 through 14.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia cost?
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia's tuition is approximately $21,900 for private students.
Does The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia offer a summer program?
Yes, The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia offer?
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia offers 2 interscholastic sports: Basketball and Dance.
What is The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia's ranking?
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia?
The application deadline for The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia located?
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia is located in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 19 other private schools located in Northwest Philadelphia.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (6 reviews)
5  
My kids have been students at Waldorf for 5 years. My oldest was in public school happily, but we weren't in agreement about the state of readiness of our younger child was for kindergarten. After the open house, we were certain that we wanted both of our children to experience the community and care that Waldorf offered. Coming from two households, Waldorf offered our children the community, continuity, and child-centered orientation we felt would help our kids focus on learning. I'm continually struck by the preparation and elevation the school instills in them. The appearance of simplicity can be misleading at Waldorf. The school sets the children up to meet challenges successfully, and I'm astounded at what they accomplish and the way they embody and retain their learning. The school doesn't shy away from difficult things but teaches the kids to meet them hands-on with thoughtfulness, instilling self possession and confidence in the students. Beyond the learning, I know the friendships for my children will be life long.
- Posted by
5  
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia has been the best decision for our children's education. We've been with Waldorf since toddler years and now in the first grade. Our children are thriving and love their friends and teachers. The school has a child-centered approach with emotional intelligence, social skills, and creativity in the heart of their curriculum. The school campus is absolutely gorgeous, with a home-like feel. We are deeply grateful for the incredible learning environment created for our children and adore our Waldorf community.
- Posted by
5  
Our son recently transferred to The Waldorf School of Philadelphia during the pandemic and in the middle of the 6th grade, as we wanted more for him than the hybrid model our suburban public school was offering. As odd as this sounds, I am grateful for the pandemic as it gave us the opportunity to reevaluate his education and, as a result, he ended up here. The school is a nurturing environment that has allowed him to grow in so many ways in just 10 weeks. He now LOVES going to school and looks forward to it! He even says so!?!? He has such a sense of connection to his learning and feels accomplished and proud. He has expressed his gratitude for our contribution to his education, and our home is so much more joyful as he wakes up happy and excited about his day. The teachers and staff are invested in the children's growth and have been extremely supportive. Spanish, painting, movement, games, handwork, music, RECESS-. Waldorf allows children to be kids - to explore, create, imagine, play- and that fosters a love for learning :) I can hardly believe all the discussions we have had about what he is learning in geology, the middle ages and astrology. I wish I could go to school here!
- Posted by
5  
My son attended the Parent-Child class for the past two years and is currently in the mixed-age kindergarten program. While we were initially a bit skeptical of such a non-traditional teaching model, we have found Waldorf schooling in general and the Waldorf School of Philadelphia exactly what our family has been looking for. The embrace of the arts, movement, storytelling, rhythms and routines are some of the best parts of our son's education. We also love the mixed-age format because our son can learn from older students and one day will mentor the little ones. I feel like our school is open, flexible, non-judgmental, and willing to meet parents and students where they are. We couldn't have made a better choice! And with COVID they are working tirelessly to provide a safe in-person environment that meets the needs of my son's learning, health, and wellbeing. So grateful we are a part of this community.
- Posted by
5  
Our son started Kindergarten this year and I already see some wonderful changes in him. He is excited about his day, opening up to new friends and is full of stories and songs. His teacher is so loving and creates such a magical environment for them to learn in. Their attentiveness and individual support of each child is amazing. We are kept very informed of activities within the classroom and also the school itself. We honestly don't have a single worry when he heads off to school each day, as we know he is in such good hands. It has been such a great experience so far, and we cannot wait to watch his journey through school.
- Posted by
5  
Trustworthy and experienced faculty and administration, a safe and welcoming community and dynamic teaching methods designed to connect with children as whole and complex individuals across a range of integrated academic and arts subjects have made The Waldorf School of Philadelphia the best educational decision we could have ever made for our child.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked PA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 196 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $21,900
  • Average class size: 19 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Philadelphia, PA is $8,923 for elementary schools and $15,669 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Philadelphia, PA is 72% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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