Sebastopol Independent Charter School

4 years ago, we moved 500 miles to be a part of this school -- we would do it all over again. It's everything we had hoped for and more.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the school. The school offers an affordable classical waldorf education that would normally be unattainable.
--Submitted by a parent

In the world of shrinking state funding, this school still has a lot of wonderful programs. My son has orchestra, painting, singing, handwork, PE, and Spanish, in addition to great academics. Strong teachers, leadership, and parent involvement are key! We love our school.
--Submitted by a parent

They do have a wonderful program that TRIES to give the children a well-rounded education. In theory, the idea is sublime. Practice of the theory, not so. If the teacher was determined that the students learn the 3 Rs beginning in the early grades, students quite possibly might walk away from this school with a good, well-rounded education. This is not common. Math and other tutoring/lessons can be expensive. Isn't something lacking in the education if a child spends 6+ hours/day and then visits the tutor? At times it seems that because the curriculum offers so much more than a mainstream public school, people are willing to overlook the lack of learning in the 3 Rs and 'call it good.' Until this changes, the school will only be average. The school is well-run, the administration is committed.
--Submitted by a parent

Sebastopol Independent Charter School is founded on the principle that children are not containers that must be filled with information, but rather that each child holds a gift that must be cultivated and celebrated through meaningful experiences, guidance, arts, relationships and challenges that expand each child's personal wisdom and knowledge. My daughter is in the 2nd grade and I am very impressed and grateful for how she is learning and growing to be a strong, confident and wise person within her class.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and staff are second to none!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have attended this school for many years, and I have watched the quality of education go down. I think the curriculum is great but not always executed well. I have experienced quite a bit of unprofessional and insensitive advise from the administration about my child. Discipline is sporadic, sometimes lax and other times severe. There are very few services for kids with any kind of special needs. The hiring has become random, some classes have first rate teachers and other classes have weak teachers with high attrition rates. I used to feel that my kids were getting a superior education, but now I find the educational part mediocre bordering on boring and slow. The waldorf community of families is great! I have decided to take my kids out of the school and I will miss the community but not the school itself.
--Submitted by a parent

This school offers a far broader program than a typical public school. Music is well represented. Not only do all the children learn instruments, but there are free school concerts. Art is well taught and taken seriously. Academics are taught more traditionally, for example, there is mental arithmetic (no calculators) a lot of literature, speaking aloud, Spanish (3 times a week) and on top of this the curriculum is balanced with crafts such as knitting and later on woodwork. My own child is academically inclined, and I feel this balanced approach will make her a better rounded adult, exposing her to different ways of learning. On top of this, the school offers a good sense of community, with frequent parent meetings and school events. Overall, we are very satisfied with the school, and my daughter is very happy.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is fantastic. The teachers are fabulously committed, the camaraderie among parents is unparalleled, and the Waldorf methods are relatively uncompromised.
--Submitted by a parent

A true Waldorf curriculum with a dedicated staff and devoted families.
--Submitted by a parent