Washington Waldorf School

Washington Waldorf has been wonderful for my daughter who began in parent child class at age 3 and is now in the fourth grade. I've been very pleased with their artistic manner of educating the children. Not only is my daughter getting a solid foundation in the basics, she is learning to paint skillfully, knit, crochet and do needlework, sing and play the cello, among many other things. My experience has been that the teachers are responsive and caring, and really support all the children socially, emotionally, and intellectually. I've noticed that not just my daughter's class teachers, but all the teachers know and care about her, and this provides me with a sense of confidence when I drop her off each day. One of the biggest testaments to the education she's receiving is her love of learning. She loves to play outdoors and do many typical kid things, but she's just as likely to make a beautiful picture of something she's learning about, or research a topic beyond what she did in school, just for fun. I think Waldorf eduation makes learning what it should be, an exciting, fulfilling experience. WWS is truly a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

We as parents have learned a lot about education since our child began at Washington Waldorf School more than 5 years ago. There are so many wonderful Waldorf principles that I wish all schools included, so that all children could benefit. We have learned the beauty of keeping children "children" for as long as possible. Art, music, nature, and hands-on experience are part of the class every day. And we are very pleased with the fresh and organic lunch program!
--Submitted by a parent

WWS is a fabulous school. We've had our children there for 5 years now. The teachers have exceeded our hopes and expectations. The waldorf approach to education suppports individual learning styles and is taylored to each developmental stage as they grow. I've been impressed with the positive yet principled and creative approach to discipline as needed, as well as how the waldorf approach really nurtures the childrens self esteem. Our children are receiving an excellent academic experience. I have no complaints.
--Submitted by a parent

We've been at the school 3 years now. I particularly like the attitude--and results--that all the students are capable of everything. The halls are filled with the childrens' work and while some are standouts, all the work is high quality. They ALL paint, ALL draw, ALL play instruments, ALL have a space on the sports teams. It truly is a well rounded education. It is a very different feeling from taking an art (music, etc.) elective because you are "good" at it. And now, there's an organic hot lunch program at the school! Of course we parents worry about "what next" so it's great to have the high school grads return from their colleges (including some very competitive ones) and share stories of how well they are doing.
--Submitted by a parent

We took our kids to a neighborhood preschool, which we loved, but it became immediately obvious to us that our kids were going to "grow up" much too quickly in a public school environment. WWS allows young children to be just that -- young children. It's a safe, warm, nurturing environment without the distractions of pop culture and "who has what gadget" that permeates even the youngest of classes these days. Every time my children come to us with a story, a song, or an idea they picked up at school, we know we made the right decision.
--Submitted by a parent

We are so happy we have found the Washington Waldorf School! It is a wonderfully stimulating, supportive, nurturing, and exciting environment, where the children are taught through all their senses and get to exercise all of their faculties (hands and heart, as well as mind) in the learning process. The community has been very warm and welcoming. We were assigned a "buddy family" even before our children entered the school, and this buddy helped us navigate everything from the confusing parking lot to whom to ask for what information. Our children's teachers are outstanding - both highly trained and very attuned to the needs (including unique needs) of our children. We feel we have found our educational home for our children and have no plans to look anywhere else throughout their grade school years.
--Submitted by a parent

THE best thing we ever did for our children and our family was to send our children to the Washington Waldorf School. I can't imagine sending our children anywhere else. The faculty truly cares and loves each child and is extremely dedicated to teaching. The philosophy of the education is rich and developmentally appropriate. If you really care about your child's childhood and full development potential - go to an Observation Morning at WWS to learn more! If I could give new parents only one piece of advice that advice hands down would be: send your children to a Waldorf School. You'll be amazed at how they blossom. The Children's Garden/ pre-school classrooms are beautiful and sunny, and the children spend a lot of time outside in the lovely garden every single day, rain or shine. My older child loves to read and tell her own stories, thanks to all the wonderful emphasis on rich storytelling at this school. They don't shove education down children's throats and make them hate school - they present everything in a beautiful and engaging way so they enjoy learning. Children at WWS are very creative, productive and enjoy school - it's a true gift. I wish I had space to say more.
--Submitted by a parent

Both our daughters attend WWS. We could not be happier with our experience. It is an amazing school. The early childhood education programs have been fantastic.
--Submitted by a parent

We are in our fourth year at WWS and have only good things to say about the philosophy, curriculum, faculty and staff of the school. The head-heart-hands approach nurtures balanced development of the whole child. Both of our children have thrived in the play-based Children s Garden and now, with a child in the grades, we appreciate that traditional subjects are taught in a way that encourages a love of learning for the sake of discovery and wonder. We can t imagine sending our children anywhere else; the documentary Race to Nowhere affirms our choice. It is worth noting that our daughter has experienced bullying, and we are pleased with the way the situation was handled by our daughter s teacher and the school s administrative staff. Our experience is that the parent-teacher-staff partnership in support of our children s development and education has been and continues to be an extraordinary, wonderful experience.
--Submitted by a parent

WWW lacks leadership and its academic standards are obsolete. Our experience was a negative one, despite the artistic curriculum. Each teacher does as they please, there is no accountability, and if you are unlucky and get one of the "not so good teachers", your child will get the short end of the stick. There is a "cultish" approach about their particular philosophy. The school lacks the resources and staff needed to meet all the children's learning needs. Overall, I do not reccomend it.