The Waldorf Difference
The Waldorf educational philosophy nurtures the whole human, and fosters healthy emotional development by conveying knowledge experientially as well as academically.
Young children in our preschool and kindergarten classrooms experience a day rooted in play and wonder, and gentle, predictable rhythms. Our grade school curriculum integrates arts and movement into a rigorous academic education to foster artistic expression, critical thinking, problem solving, balance, and sound intellectual reasoning.
Our unique story curriculum brings a study of history and civilizations that flows from fairy tales, to fables and then Hebrew scriptures, to Norse mythology, Greek mythology and Ancient Greece, Indian civilization, Ancient Rome, and the revolutionary movements of the early and mid-20th Century.
The Power of Play in Kindergarten
From NEA Today, JUN 7, 2018
Play is the work of children, Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood always reminded us. But over the past two decades, the American kindergarten experience has become much more academic—at the expense of play.
‘Knitting Is Coding’ and Yarn Is Programmable in This Physics Lab
The New York Times, MAY 17, 2019
The ‘old-fashioned arts’, such as knitting, are beneficial for a child’s fine motor skills, sense of perseverance and feeling of accomplishment, and appreciation of beauty. They are also, as it turns out, gateways to a fuller understanding of science.
Preschool without walls: Learning ABCs Under the Trees
The New York Times, DEC 29, 2015
At Fiddleheads Forest School, children spend four hours a day, rain or shine, in cedar grove “classrooms” within the University of Washington Botanic Garden.
“I think Waldorf has made me a better problem solver and a more creative thinker and given me the ability to be self-confident and sure of who I am.”
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
From the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America:
Waldorf education espouses principles of respect for human dignity and recognizes that diversity, inclusivity and equity is a journey of both moral and educational importance.
We, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, recognize the history and ongoing impact of racism on our continent and in our institutions and we hold the dignity of life and the human being at the center of our work. Any speculations made by Rudolf Steiner that are in contradiction to this principle are not the basis for Waldorf education and we unequivocally denounce such statements.
We acknowledge that we have room to grow as an association and as individuals in our understanding of oppression and social justice. We strive to make equity and inclusion central; when we do, we get closer to the world that we want for our youth.
Faculty and Staff
Madison Waldorf School employs around 18 faculty and staff members. They share a love of Waldorf education and a dedication to creating a quality learning environment for all our students.
Alumni
MWS graduates are currently thriving in high school and college! Students in our three graduating classes to date have gone on to a variety of Madison-area high schools: West High School, East High School, Memorial High School, Middleton High School, Edgewood High School, Clark Street Community School, Mount Horeb High School, Sauk Prairie High School, and elsewhere.
Alumni and former students are currently in college at Yale, Arizona State University, Colorado College, Lewis & Clark College, University of British Columbia-Vancouver, doing dance studies in London, and elsewhere.
As our alumni make their way into high school, college and beyond, we will occasionally profile them here on our website.