Richmond Waldorf School

My oldest son is completing his 8th grade year at RWS having been a student there since he was 4 years old. He has grown into a deep thinker, a prolific reader, he has an inexhaustible interest in science, history and politics and just aced a practice Algebra I SOL. In addition, he has developed skills in the performing and visual arts. Not the most social kid by nature, his Waldorf experience has helped him develop real and lasting connections with classmates and teachers. I am very proud to say that he will be attending a Governor's school for high school next fall. I would say that Waldorf has prepared my son not just for high school, but for life.
--Submitted by a parent

I cannot imagine a better place to start off an education. Both our daughters have attended Richmond Waldorf and we couldn't be happier with the whole experience. Something we as a society forget that our children need to learn is how to be good humans. Without that, the rest is really very unimportant. Richmond Waldorf is teaching the whole child and starting with the basics that are so often overlooked. It is truly inspiring to witness what a child is capable of when allowed to develop in this kind of environment.
--Submitted by a parent

We started the process of Waldorf for just Kindergarten...then, we could not leave because we saw tangible benefits within our children. They are amazing, well-rounded children, and I attribute it to the reinforcement of what goes on at home in their class. We now have 5 children, and will do everything we can to keep all of them there through 8th grade!
--Submitted by a parent

The Richmond Waldorf School is beyond good - it's the best. It's the kind of place that makes you, as a parent, wish you could start all over again in kindergarten and do it yourself. There's magic, energy, and love in this school that you can't find anywhere else. The staff's understanding of the needs of children of every age, the ability to meet them where they are, and the thoughtfulness and care taken with lessons and activities, places the school above the rest. And for the lucky kids going through it - well, it's not "school," as perhaps other children are experiencing "school." This is home, this is discovery, and this is learning at its best. Where else can you see both kindergartners and eighth graders alike racing to the doors, eager to begin a day at school? If you're looking for a unique, loving, personalized approach to learning, check out the Richmond Waldorf School!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. The peace & beauty & love with which my son & the other children are surrounded is something I don't think could be found elsewhere. I also appreciate that the Waldorf teaching method is developmentally appropriate for the children. It meets them where they are. For example, in 8th grade when everyone is rebelling against everything - this is when they study the world's great revolutions. The children are exposed to nature and art and music and mathematics and language constantly in a fully integrated way which is so beautiful - allowing them to learn deeply and thoroughly. Truly I feel that this approach to education, as practiced by the Richmond Waldorf School produces fantastic, giving, bright, and prepared-for-the-future-whatsoever-it-may-hold people. What a better world this would be if everyone was educated in such a fashion.
--Submitted by a teacher

Remember the saying, "we share a negative experience ten times but we share our positive experiences only once or twice?" That saying came to mind as I skimmed these reviews. Each parent writing here is an active force for good in their child's lives. Different schools meet the needs of different children. It is sad whenever a family's first choice of school does not live up to expectations. Even more sad is that parents continue to question other parent's decisions about how to educate their own children. My son has loved his RWS experience. And I was surprised to receive calls from private middle schools asking us to apply. Maybe that has something to do wtih the smaller upper grades? In any case more good than bad is being created at Richmond Waldorf School.
--Submitted by a parent

We had a terrible experience with this school once my child entered the "grades." If its so wonderful, why do so few students stay through eighth grade?
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful, creative, essential, purposeful, active, alive, delightful. Words cannot do justice to what this school provides for it's community. I teach at university and wish all my students had the gift of delight, curiosity, and wonder that these kids have. Young people should love to learn, those kids do!
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with my children's experience at Waldorf. I took my daughter out of public school because I was not happy there and neither was she. She has told me many times how much she loves attending Waldorf. My son is in kindergarden and it is a magical place with very loving teachers. I feel like I am part of a community of like minded people and that is important to me.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends kindergarten at Waldorf and we have been very pleased with our experience. We like the school's holistic approach to learning. We choose it because we were not happy with the other options that seemed to push inappropriate curriculum down to the younger grades.
--Submitted by a parent