Washington Waldorf School

[Anonymous]

How difficult is it to get into this school? What are they looking for during the three day visit and parent interview required for all applicants? Would they schedule the parent interview/3 day visit if they did not have space in a particular grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How difficult is it to get into this school? What are they looking for during the three day visit and parent interview required for all applicants? Would they schedule the parent interview/3 day visit if they did not have space in a particular grade?

It's a small school -- the website says it serves 270 students in pre-K through 12th grade -- but I imagine some grades are larger than others. You might get more information if you are comfortable sharing the grade you're interested in.

I wondered if there is any vertical grouping of grades and what grades the middle school covers.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they would have your child come for 3 days for nothing!! Yes they must have a spot. Its a great school and I am sure your child would be happy there.

[Anonymous]

They're watching your child to get a feel for who he/she is as a whole child, good, quirky, stage of development, etc. There's a real effort to determine a child's needs and strengths are in a caring way. I hope that helps.
We transferred from our public school mid-year a few years ago and feel our children have really benefitted.

Middle school begins at 6th and the kids just move up the hallway so the transition is more gentle even though it is a bigger change with multiple subject teachers for math & reading, etc.

[Anonymous]

We had the same experience as the the anonymous replier on 1/26--we took our two kids out of public school mid-year and brought them to the Waldorf school--and have been there for six years now. It's a fantastic approach to education (and to life), and the kids are very happy there.

[Anonymous]

OP Here- Thanks for all of the responses. What is the homework load like in middle school?

[Anonymous]

Home work is moderate in middle school. Worthwhile, not busy work and not too much, they still believe in giving kids the space and time to be kids.

Things step up in high school and the students get to do pretty significant work and continue to love learning. Despite the statements about "no computers" yes, WWS has Macs and the kids are supposed to come into 9th grade with at least passing typing skills so that they're not hunting and pecking their way through homework. HTH

[Anonymous]

NP here - I am interested in Waldorf for my kid, but she has not so great fine motor skills. Would she have a tough time because of the knitting, calligraphy, etc? (I could never learn how to knit either!)

[Anonymous]

NP here - I am interested in Waldorf for my kid, but she has not so great fine motor skills. Would she have a tough time because of the knitting, calligraphy, etc? (I could never learn how to knit either!)

No worries there--everything is taught slowly, patiently, well and with love! What grade would she be in?

[Anonymous]

4th

[Anonymous]

My eldest had minor problems with fine motor skills as a toddler & into elementary. She thrived at Waldorf. We entered in the last half of 3rd grade. Now she's been asked to do calligraphy work and has beautiful penmanship.

I never would've predicted it when she was 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I wondered if there is any vertical grouping of grades and what grades the middle school covers.

Middle school is considered grades 6-8. But grades 1-8 are on the same hallway (class sizes range from 15 to 25, approximately). Grades 7 and 8 introduces a wonderful outdoor education program every Friday and a variety of interesting electives (birdwatching and fencing are two examples).

[Anonymous]

[Reposting because the stop quote thingy didn't quite work!]

Middle school is considered grades 6-8. But grades 1-8 are on the same hallway (class sizes range from 15 to 25, approximately). Grades 7 and 8 introduces a wonderful outdoor education program every Friday and a variety of interesting electives (birdwatching and fencing are two examples).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Reposting because the stop quote thingy didn't quite work!]

Middle school is considered grades 6-8. But grades 1-8 are on the same hallway (class sizes range from 15 to 25, approximately). Grades 7 and 8 introduces a wonderful outdoor education program every Friday and a variety of interesting electives (birdwatching and fencing are two examples).

Birdwatching? My DC is in the seventh grade and has never done birdwatching.

[Anonymous]

My child had bird watching in 8th grade. The electives start in 7th and expand through each grade. And some electives happen because of a guest teacher and don't get offered the following year.