Anonymous wrote:OP again. I’m curious as I’m reading about many Silicon Valley types sending their kids to Waldorf and forest schools. Mainly driven by desire to get away from screens. With the decline of our schools in general, is it possible that these approaches will actually turn out the most mentally stable, and as a result prepared for the world, children?

Doubt it.
Those tech guys fall for all sorts of crackpot ideas and aren't who I would trust with nurturing my children. I would love a school with a stronger nature focus, but without all the Steiner crap.

Anonymous wrote:I know three adults who went to Waldorf schools when they were young. All teachers. none of their kids go to Waldorf schools, which I think speaks to their experience pretty clearly.

Or likely they can’t afford Waldorf tuition on a teacher salary…

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I’m curious as I’m reading about many Silicon Valley types sending their kids to Waldorf and forest schools. Mainly driven by desire to get away from screens. With the decline of our schools in general, is it possible that these approaches will actually turn out the most mentally stable, and as a result prepared for the world, children?

While they got rich selling software and hardware to OUR school districts for OUR kids to lose their minds on. So immoral

OP again. I’m curious as I’m reading about many Silicon Valley types sending their kids to Waldorf and forest schools. Mainly driven by desire to get away from screens. With the decline of our schools in general, is it possible that these approaches will actually turn out the most mentally stable, and as a result prepared for the world, children?

I know one. She trained as a nurse, then as a preschool teacher and then she bagged a famous TV director, married him and pushed out a ton of kids. And she was perfect for the job.

Two of my siblings did…they and their friends ended up at Smith, Mount Holyoke, Bates, U of Washington, Whitman…

I know three adults who went to Waldorf schools when they were young. All teachers. none of their kids go to Waldorf schools, which I think speaks to their experience pretty clearly.

I lived in an anthroposophical community where the kids went to Waldorf schools and then to the local public high school. Some of them felt that Waldorf was fine, others felt like it left them really behind and they never caught up. Definitely not good for kids with learning disabilities, and you want to look into their approach to bullying.

Anonymous wrote:I know one who dropped out because he couldn't read and the school said he just needed more time. He was about to start 3rd grade when I advised his parents to have him evaluated. He had dyslexia and they transferred him to another school.

+1
I know a Waldorf 7th grader who can't read at all (well, can read things like the "Bob" books for pre-K/K and signs etc.). Mom is still convinced it's just going to happen and it's fine and won't listen to outside perspectives. The school didn't really start to express concern about it until he was about 10 and they now have a school-based tutor, but they don't seem to be that effective--it's what has gotten him to the "Bob" level. Their Waldorf school ends in grade 8 and it is a tiny place with mixed grades. I have no idea what he's going to do then. He's pretty good with his hands, but he needs to somehow get through high school. It makes me so sad every time I think about him because he's a super sweet kid.

It's a well-rounded education if you go K-12. Both kids I know who went are in college now. One took a gap year first and worked at an animal shelter, and the other kid went straight to college.

Yes. Normal. Surprisingly.

Anonymous wrote:One went to Princeton and one went to Tufts. However to give context, the one that went to Princeton was a fourth generation Ivy. The parents were a lawyer and a radiologist.

And what do they say about their Waldorf education?

One went to Princeton and one went to Tufts. However to give context, the one that went to Princeton was a fourth generation Ivy. The parents were a lawyer and a radiologist.

I know one who dropped out because he couldn't read and the school said he just needed more time. He was about to start 3rd grade when I advised his parents to have him evaluated. He had dyslexia and they transferred him to another school.

Curious as to their perception of their experience, and what they are doing now?