My child was treated very poorly by the staff at this school - mainly the early childhood staff. Early childhood teachers in the Waldorf community are supposed to be grandmotherly - warm and nurturing. What we experienced was very far from loving. They are also not accepting of children with differing needs - or "perceived needs" - and don't use proper channels to assess whether a child is right for their school or not. It's a shame that what should be a lovely school makes so many young children feel sad and disliked. I hope that their early childhood program is able to improve to better meet the needs of Milwaukee's youth.
—Submitted by a parent

Worth every penny. Beyond being an amazing Waldorf school, Tamarack offers art, music, woodworking, movement, foreign language, diversity and a community of teachers, parents and staff who are involved and caring. My children love going to school, because Tamarack instills a love of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Tamarack Waldorf School has brought our family so much happiness. We moved back to Milwaukee so that my three boys could attend this school. My eldest son, after one day in his new class, was jumping up and down for joy. He said he had never been happier, and it is true. I have never experienced him so satisfied and content, day after day, as he comes home from school. His teacher is warm, friendly, funny, affectionate, clear and fair. We are so very happy to have found our home at Tamarack and in the community here. Thank you to both the teaching faculty and the administrative staff, who are just top-notch.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Tamarack - not only for its wonderful Waldorf education, but for its caring and diverse community. As a parent of two children now in high school, I value how they were prepared to face the challenges of a rigorous college preparatory high school. Fall in love with the kindergartens and stay for the grades!
—Submitted by a parent

I am an educator, however I am not employed at Tamarack. I have five grandchildren at Tamarack and not only am I impressed with the caring, conscientious, and devoted faculty and staff, but also with the overall Waldorf philosophy that is so evident in every classroom. I find that the children are ready and waiting for each phase of development with a sense of awe and wonder and with an enthusiasm for learning. I cannot imagine my grandchildren at any other school. Tamarack's Cream City historical building is set in a beautiful and vibrant urban community. I highly encourage parents to consider visiting Tamarack Waldorf when looking for a school for their children.

Tamarack is a strong Waldorf school with a fully integrated arts program, a commitment to diversity, and an active parent community. It prepares students well for the highest-regarded public and private high schools in the Milwaukee area. The students are taught the traditional academic subjects in a unique way, one that draws out their own individual skills and cultivates an inquisitive approach to the world. Children are allowed to be children at Tamarack, and the pressures to compete or to fit a narrow idea of success are removed. Despite a curriculum that is not tailored to mainstream standardized testing goals, my own child has tested very well on exams. The parents are generally enthusiastic and engaged in the life of the school. The faculty are caring and talented, and the staff are dedicated and compassionate. It's a true community, with lots of different personalities, a lot of differences - period - but everyone there knows how special and wonderful Tamarack is and works hard to make the school a really good school. Words are cheap; if you get a chance to visit the school, you'll get it.
—Submitted by a parent

We have withdrawn our children because they were not safe at school - in the school or on the playground.
—Submitted by a parent

Tamarack has the most complete curriculum in the Milwaukee area. Yes, they have an extended recess, but that is an important part of a child's developement. They also have foreign language, extensive math skills are taught, music, movement, and handwork(knitting and crochet), and the children create their own text books, with guidence from the teacher, of course. But there is something more to Tamarack that you don't get at most of the schools around here. The children are taught tolerance for others. My daughter loves it. And so do I.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been perfect for our three children--an absolute treasure nestled in the city. We have waiting lists for every class for a very good reason!!
—Submitted by a parent

Very upsetting experience, minimal supervision at recess, violence is tolerated and the needs of bullying children seem to take priority. Though good things are present, ineptitude and disorganization lead to a "Lord of the Flies" type atmosphere. Very expensive and dissapointing experience.
—Submitted by a parent

After my eagerness to enroll my child in Tamarack for K4, I was very displeased with how things turned out. Supposedly my child had a temper tantrum problem, however the K4 teacher waited a month before telling me anything about the problem, even though she said it existed from the beginning. By that point it was completely out of her control but she expected me, as a full-time working parent to commit to an on-call schedule and pick my child up whenever they called and said she'd gotten to be too much. Additionally, she placed labels on my child like "special-needs" and stated that she made "cerebal-palsy like movements" and was just completely out of control. I am 100% for working with teachers to do what is best for our children, but not ok with a teacher who is quick to label a child before she has even attempted to work with the parents. And that doesn't mean waiting a month before trying to do so. I am sure Tamarack is an excellent school for grades 1-8, and wish we could have continued, but our start was less than positive.
—Submitted by a parent

Tamarack uses the Waldorf method which is a holistic education that allows the child to learn everything they want in a natural way
—Submitted by a parent

The academics are progressive throughout the grades building on knowledge from previous grades. This creates a more complete understanding of the subjects. Creativity and imagination are encouraged and bolstered at all times. Music starts from K with singing songs, progressing to learning flute in 1st grade, recorder in 4th grade, violin in 5th and 6th grades, to choosing your own instrument for 7th and 8th grades. Multiple handwork classes each week teach hand/eye coordination, imagination, and vision for the outcome of a project. the parents are very involved in the school which supports community within the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall quality is excellent. Waldorf Schools are unique in their HOLISTIC approach to academics, which tends to result in children who really LOVE to learn, and pursue learning. They don't just test well, they really LEARN! From experience with my 22 yr. old, admissions offices in the best colleges seem to LOVE students from Waldorf Schools. The arts are very strong and integrated into academics. Organized sports/extracurriculars are one area where there isn't as much available as some other schools. However, DAILY outdoor physical activity exceeds that of other schools. Parent involvement tends to be VERY good, and there are lots of 'community' events and activities for families. The environment in the school is like nothing I've seen in any other type of school. Nurturing, home-like. It's wonderful. MUST BE SEEN! I now have a 5 yr. old at Tamarack. I wouldn't send a child to anything but a Waldorf School.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at Tamarack for 5 years and now have 3 children in the school. I am so happy they are in this school. It has given them the greatest sense of who they are where they fit into the world. The education they are receiving has entered every part of their being. Music and song, rythym and spirt all add to the beauty of this education. The children are filled with color and imagination, reverence and respect which is so missing in most educational choices today. I wouldnt send my children any where else.
—Submitted by a parent

We never tire singing the praises of Tamarack Community School. Our girls pursue their other interests after school with joy. We are a family sharing a meal and stories, not fusing over paperwork. Our girls are bright and full of passion because Tamarack allows a consistence (and probably more disciplined) kind and mindful approach to creating the love of learning. I'm proud of all the children the go to Tamarack, and the parents too. (It's a lot of work) The school is growing for a reason, 'cause it rocks!
—Submitted by Alisa Strautmanis, a parent

Never have the Kids been happier & the teachers have a great way of reaching every child.
—Submitted by a parent

Tamarack has given my daughter the chance to develop her interests, creativity and personality in a nurturing setting. It is truly the gift of time, away from pressure to grow up too fast or conform to someone else's idea of what she should be at this age (ten). She had attended a public school, but became very stressed, and mid-way through first grade, she started at Tamarack. She's been much happier and enthusiastic about learning since then!
—Submitted by a parent

Waldorf education in the city of Milwaukee is a real gift. Contemporary, dynamic, evolving, this educational approach meets the needs of our children in these times better than anything else I've seen.
—Submitted by Lori Barian, a parent

My son has been at Tamarack for the past five years. I've loved most how he continues to garner a strong sense of himself and his important role in our community. As a single parent, I finally I have teachers, staff members and a community who are on my team -- Commited to bringing out the best of who my son authtically is.
—Submitted by a parent