Charlottesville Waldorf School

Charlottesville Waldorf School is the best school in Charlottesville. I have several kids that span several grades, and the teachers are fabulous and dedicated and really know and love my children, the campus is beautiful and serene, and each child gets the individual attention that they need to learn successfully. The curriculum is so rich with hands on learning, engagement with the imagination and critical thinking, I love it!
—Submitted by a parent

My son just started 1st grade at CWS, and every day I'm amazed at the wholeness of his experience, and the way he is learning to see the world. The dedication and expertise of the teachers also sets this school apart. This method, in my opinion, is the future of education, and it gives children the skills the future job market needs - critical thinking skills, flexibility, collaboration skills, performance arts, and an appreciation of beauty.
—Submitted by a parent

I just came home from a class meeting at CWS and am totally in awe of how much our teachers care and know the children and...how much they have completed in the first couple of weeks at school! How inspiring. How I wish school looked like this when I was a kid. We are so lucky to have such an amazing school nearby. My children are so engaged with their classes and love their teachers. Thank you, CWS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Funny how most of the reviews here are about Waldorf philosophy and not the actual school at Charlottesville. We had a horrible experience at this school. First off, don't let them fool you into thinking this school is exclusive in any way. They will take anyone that will write a check. That said we were subjected to kids with behaviorial issues, impluse control, constant disruptions and outbursts and virtually no disipline. My child learned many negative behaviors and minimal positives. We chose to attend a school in the future where this type of behavior is not tolerated. I expected way more for the price and was totally disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

An incredible holistic education for my children!
—Submitted by a parent

The Charlottesville Waldorf School holds children in the highest regard by respecting their developmental stages in a comprehensive curriculum the weaves art, history, language, physical education, and more into their life experience. You also will not find more dedicated teachers than those at CWS.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had our children in this school for 13 years. This school is truly the only place where learning occurs from the inside out. Information is not just thrown at the students. Children learn by doing, thinking and living what they study. The teachers are the most dedicated and caring individuals who truly do see each student as an individual. This school has functioned on very low budgets for too long and deserve the opportunity to grow and provide the best possible environment for waldorf education.
—Submitted by a parent

I am delighted that my grandchildren are in a learning environment which emphasizes emotional development and teaches them to explore their own creative potential. I believe the children benefit from the warm inviting classrooms, as well as the beautiful grounds. The teachers are impressive with their obvious commitment to learning and caring for the students.

Each child is given the opportunity to grow and develop into the person s/he is meant to be and learns how to be a part of the world.
—Submitted by a parent

It has the best educational environment available anywhere. The community that surrounds, supports and enlivens CWS is truely unsurpassed in it's dedication to nurturing the whole child.
—Submitted by a parent

In depth education.....not in a hurry to teach
—Submitted by a parent

a wonderful alternative, one that respects and nurtures each child as they grow.
—Submitted by a teacher

The Waldorf curriculum has a strong emphasis on active, hands-on learning. As the children create handwork pieces, complete science projects, develop written (and artistic) reports, play in the orchestra, paint,sing and play outside, they gain confidence in themselves and appreciation for their classmates.
—Submitted by a teacher

They allow the kids be kids....and EC advocate learning through PLAY.
—Submitted by a parent

We love the whole body learning experience!
—Submitted by a parent

Because it respects the whole development of the child
—Submitted by a parent

CWS is a unique and beautiful community of playful learners. The school's curriculum is rigorous and relevant to the holistic development of each child, engaging the whole human being in the dynamic process of exploring the world as well as the individual - a process of discovery which entails a lot of physical movement. Teachers are passionately committed to helping students develop self-confidence and a strong sense of responsibility so that students will grow to find their place as creative, capable, free-willed adults in society. Additionally, the school community is environmentally conscious, incorporating recycling and composting into classroom chores and emphasizing "green living" as important to being good stewards of the earth. On Nov. 12th the school will hold a dedication ceremony to officially open its new performance pavilion and library arts building - "the first passive house school building in America and the latest addition to its Greenest School Campus in America."
—Submitted by a parent

Great curriculum, teachers, and community. Innovative ecological designs in new buildings.
—Submitted by a parent

Comprehensive and holistic approach to educating the whole child. My children love to learn as a result of this developmentally based system of education. Both of my sons transitioned after graduating to non-Waldorf high schools (public and private) and went on to complete their undergraduate college degrees at top ranked universities (Ivy League).
—Submitted by a parent

Waldorf Education is based on Rudolf Steiner's ideas on child development which put emphasis on emotional development during the second 7-year stage of development. At this stage learning is best achieved through the use of story telling, music/rhythmn making, memorization of poems and dance. The traditional "headwork" of analysis and calculation are postponed until the third 7-year stage.
—Submitted by a parent