Pasadena Waldorf School

I would not trade my children's Waldorf education for anything. The thing about Waldorf is that it truly honors the individual child and does not seek to make them fit into a box or teach to the test. These kids come out confident, engaged and engaging individuals. Some parents talk about the need to hire tutors...I have two kids who have gone through and do not need tutors...you can be in public school or other private schools and need tutors. Is PWS the perfect school? No of course not. Like any school, some teachers are better than others and there are things that need to be addressed. But overall this is a unique approach to education where the emphasis is on deep engagement and creative thinking to enable each child to reach their full capabilities and be forces of social change not just be taught to the test.
--Submitted by a parent

What am amazing school. My children were valued and learned more about *everything* there than can be imagined. Music, art, literature, poetry, singing, math, science, handwork, neighborhood games, foreign languages - my children are interested in it *all*!
--Submitted by a parent

PWS was a wonderful experience for our family. I am the parent of two graduates, both attended from kindergarten through eighth grade, and I am so impressed with who they are, now, as teenagers. They know themselves more than I knew myself at their ages, and they appear to be moving through adolescence gracefully. Academically they have different strengths and weaknesses (don't we all?) and each is doing well in high school - I regret we didn't send them to a Waldorf high school though, I really believe Waldorf offers a deeper education. When we started at PWS I didn't realize how important the school community would be for our family...it was a busy eleven years filled with interesting activities and we still enjoy participating when we can, we're Elves' Faire lifers!
--Submitted by a parent

Pasadena Waldorf School has a fairy tale approach to life and does not prepare children for the real world. The school's administration has no oversight and teachers are free to instruct and discipline children any way they see fit. My children had to be tutored after leaving Waldorf just to catch up with mainstream society. The campus is beautiful and the ideals are romantic. The story telling and performances are fun but do not begin to educate children in today's complex world. There are some valuable lessons being taught, but negated by the fact that a child cannot write correctly or spell. There is no test taking and no monitoring of the educational process. Waldorf creates it's own rules and changes them on a whim. I would not recommend this school to anyone who takes their child's education seriously.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel so fortunate that we could be part of this community for the past two years. Our daughter has received tender and attentive care of the most authentic and inspired quality. Consciousness, depth, purposefulness and goodness abound. Our world needs more of this. May Waldorf schools flourish so that all those who want to take part in this great movement in education are able to.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children at Pasadena Waldorf School and their experiences, love of learning, appreciation for others and the world around them is a treasure to behold. I have spent 32 years in public education as a teacher and administrator and not a day goes by that I don't wish we could do more of the Waldorf approaches to education in the public school setting. The Waldorf approach is one that helps create individuals that will be prepared for an unkown future. Be prepared for continual parental involvement because it is the union of school and community that makes the Waldorf system work for students.
--Submitted by a parent

The intentions are good, but it falls far short of it's goals.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. We have 3 children at the school and are amazed everyday that they want to go to school. My 5th grader has missed maybe 3 days in 5 years. I hope you can say that for your kids. Unless you have to be on the fast track, why not give yourself a break and check out our greast school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not sure the Waldorf model works in today's multicultural environment. Having the same teacher from K-8 sounds romantic but it is rare to find an individual with a skill set that can meet a child's needs over 9 years of education. Parental involvement is very high and the atmosphere is nurturing. I would not recommend a Waldorf Education unless you are prepared to supplement your child's education w/ tutors and other outlets for both academic and sporting activities.
--Submitted by a parent

After having my daughter at this school for 5 years, I pulled her out. They have lost most of their good teachers and there is no oversight on poor performing teachers. We most definitely would not recommend it for a quality educaton.
--Submitted by a parent