Bright Water School

Bright Water is a Waldorf school. If you already are familiar with Waldorf teachings, then that may be all the info you need. I didn't fully understand the educational philosophy, & the result was 3 years of elementary school misery for my bright little person. But 1st: the 3 stars given here are a compromise. The kindergarten deserves 5 stars, and lasts 3 years, ages 4-6. It is gentle, nurturing, & It is a place where your child (if you comply w rules of NO TV, NO video games, NO computer on in any common room of your home while the child is present) will learn a larger vocab. than public school kids, develop as an independent thinker, & gain a greater attention span than most. (Jane Healy: Failure to Communicate). After K, grab your child and run. Beveled windows & beautiful rooms mean nothing if all your child does is copy off of the board. The goal is for 1st graders to be able to write perfectly on unlined paper. As a teacher, I was ill when I found this out. 3 years, & I didn't know!! BW teachers aren't required to have WA state teaching certs, only "Steiner School". It's like the Amish; if it existed after Steiner, they won't use the ideas. Be careful here.
--Submitted by a parent

We feel so lucky to have gotten into Bright Water. Our child is thriving and is excited to go to school every day. What a gift to her and to us! Waldorf certainly isn't for every child or every family but if you trust in the education and you have a great teacher the way we do, the education unfolds before your eyes...children flourish! Our child comes home every day eager to tell us about her day and to share something new she has learned. We feel so grateful to have found Waldorf Education and Bright Water!
--Submitted by a parent

Bright Water provides the kind of education that produces the future citizens our country needs. Children grasp foundational educational concepts and 'learn how to learn' as well as become skilled at basic facts, like multiplication tables. They learn to respectively engage in productive cooperation and productive conflict with their peers. They play team sports according to traditional rules and creatively explore movement through dance, drama, circus arts and outdoor adventures. Students study Spanish, Japanese, music and art EVERY YEAR from first grade to eight grade. They read and write and do math every day. And yes, they even learn to knit. As a Waldorf school, Bright Water is not the right placec for every child or every parent. Ultimately, each of us as parents must choose the right school for our kids. My daughter is happy, thriving, and a better human being because of Bright Water. That's the best gift I can give her and the world.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child attended BWS for two years and our experience did not meet the theological or pedagogical foundation of a Waldorf education let alone a basic education. The school has struggled to maintain teachers and approaches any special needs assessment with a para-professional possessing enough knowledge to be damaging and in fact was for our child. The administration's interest and full support was for the school and at no time could we find an internal advocate for our child. Today, our child has been diagnosed with dyslexia and is beginning a public school education two years behind following an education at BWS. While capable of knitting and playing the flute, today is unable to read or write. This is not a school with growing pains - it is not a school - it is an institution of incompetence. Before you send your child - investigate the level of educational certification of its instructors and the credentials of its "specialists."
--Submitted by a parent

Our family's experience at BWS has been amazing, but I can easily imagine another family's disappointment--this is not a school that will work for everyone. We've been here 8 years and have watched our child blossom--socially, academically, spiritually. We've also watched the school struggle in many areas. But we stay because our child is thriving, and because we view the school's struggles as a sign of growth and commitment to providing an excellent Waldorf education.
--Submitted by a parent

We did not have a positive experience with BWS. We were attracted to the strong artistic aspect of the education but quickly were disillusioned. The administration does not communicate or work well with parents, and we never felt welcomed by the administration. The teacher was very persuasive in convincing us of the importance of delaying academics, which put our child at a significant disadvantage. The teacher also was very cold towards the new mothers in the parent group. It appeared to us that the philosophy encouraged the teacher child bond and discounted the importance of the parent child relationship. Children were left to "work problems out on their own". If you are really interested in Waldorf we suggest looking elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

We've been at Bright Water since 2004 and have seen the education unfold. Young children are taught a solid foundation for learning and for citizenship in the classroom and school community. As the curriculum unfolds, students are exposed to a creative, integrated education that really fosters a desire to learn in addition to teaching fundamentals. The students we have seen graduate from BWS's eighth grade are, on the whole, confident and resourceful. They are going to good high schools, both private and public, and are doing well. Their teachers seem impressed that they are adept at figuring out concepts, not just at rote learning. That, in my opinion, is a valuable skill to carry through life.
--Submitted by a parent

Our two children are happy and balanced here. With all teachers aligned in their philosophy and practices, it is so different from other schools where teacher quality, goals and philosophy can vary greatly. I've heard Waldorf education described as education from the inside out; this rings true in our experience. No part of either of my children's development is being overlooked. All is being addressed at the proper time.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children have attended Bright Water School for four years. This school has warm, dedicated and talented teachers. A unique aspect to Waldorf education is that the student has the same teacher for their main lesson from first through eighth grade. In addition to the main teacher there are subject teachers. The school has a wonderful integrated arts curriculum with music, painting, woodworking and handwork crafts. They also learn Spanish and Japanese starting in first grade. Our children can't wait to get to school and they don't want to leave when we come to pick them up.
--Submitted by a parent

We sort of stumbled on this school and I am so glad we did -- our son has almost completed the pre-school and kindergarten years and will be starting first grade next year. We continue to learn and grow along with him, and have found a wonderful community of talented, warm-hearted families and friends at our school. It's a bit of a drive from where we live, but this place is such a jewel -- everything is done (or at least attempted!) with mindfulness, elegance, and a sense of deep concern for the health, welfare, and humanity of each student and family. The sense of true exploration of the curriculum that we have to look forward to as our son works his way through the whole depth of human history, science, culture and art in elementary and middle school has me so excited! Perhaps this would be true at any Waldorf school, I don't know . . . I just feel fortunate to have found this place.
--Submitted by a parent