Most Privates are responding to current trends in education. Integration is not only happening in a few schools. But every school does it well to different degrees. If you go to one school that raves about it in their webpage they will tell you they practice that but it is not necessarily true.

Anonymous wrote:Norwood

Norwood has an excellent arts and music program, however I have yet to see integration into the curriculum in the k and 1 st grade. I think it a shame too and it is one reason we may not continue there. Pre no child left behind, this sort of integrated teaching with art, social studies, science, reading and writing all interwoven was standard even at a fine public elementary school. I used to teach in another part of the country and I find it strange that some private schools are so segmented in their introduction of material, meaning in art class they are doing something completely unrelated to anything else they talk about during the day, same with the books they read, etc. just a little vent.

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much most of the independents are like this.

So not true.

Lowell, Lowell, Lowell. My kids moved from there to another great school when they were older which also prides itself on its fine arts program -- which is very good -- but what they do at Lowell in elementary school is a step beyond. I am not sure who is teaching there now, but they had two fabulous art teachers when our kids were there a few years ago. At least one of them also had a graduate degree in some sort of art therapy, and they had an uncanny ability to get the most out of the kids regardless of whether they were naturally gifted in art or couldn't draw a recognizable stick figure on day one, and the art classes were adored -- absolutely adored -- by both types of students. I should add they substantively they really taught art -- the kids respected the classes because while they learned the importance of self-expression, they also learned technique.

Washington Waldorf School fits this to a "T."

They learn how to build shelters in 3rd grade and even go to a working farm in the spring and do farm work. There's an Olympiad in 5th grade that wraps up the Greek studies. They put on plays, make bread, learn to knit and make their own animals, in the first and second grade, etc.

Here's a great description of the lower school years (from another school's website): http://www.capeannwaldorf.org/grades-1-8/detailed-curriculum-descriptions

(I was a Lowell School parent many years ago and I've had friends' kids in Green Acres & others that have some, but not the extend of a Waldorf School).

Sheridan

Thanks!

I would say that Lowell comes closest to this of the programs that I've seen in DC.

Pretty much most of the independents are like this.

I don't understand what you mean, and I'm guessing that others don't either. Maybe it would help to be more specific.

Green Acres.

Norwood

No snark but isn't this most schools? We have this at St Patrick but seems like this is the norm for other schools gauging from what friends tell me.

bump - looking for the same thing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!