Waldorf School Of San Diego

Posted: March 3, 2020

Has been really ground-breaking experience for both my child and I; teaching us how to communicate better and make the most of each moment in academics and beyond. Cultivates strong sensory understanding in children and both my child and I have created strong bonds within the community.

Posted: March 3, 2020

Posted: March 3, 2020

Posted: March 3, 2020

Posted: March 3, 2020

Uses a holistic approach to education that builds a strong, resilient character for students.

Posted: March 3, 2020

Posted: August 14, 2018

My student is heading into the high school since being in Waldorf schools since the age of three. I cannot imagine a better educational model. I often wish I had had the opportunity to attend a Waldorf school when I was young, yet I am so grateful to have found Waldorf when I did!

Posted: August 14, 2018

Homework is limited to useful work, nothing unnecessary. Aside from weekly math worksheets to keep things fresh, most homework is project-based.

Posted: August 14, 2018

The thing I love about the teachers here is that they really work to understand your child. They understand the various stages of development and they don't pigeonhole the children. They give them room to grow.

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

When my child was in first grade, the teachers approached me with the idea that my child might be "gifted." Most people don't see that as a "learning difference," but it certainly can be a challenge to the student and teachers alike! How do you work with students who understand things over here, vs students who understand things over here... (imagine with me!) I believe the teachers have effectively worked with the various learning differences in the class and have done a great job in supporting students of all abilities.

Posted: August 14, 2018

WSSD is not perfect in the way it handles social challenges, but I truly believe they are striving to find the right answers. There is no cut and dry way to deal with today's challenges - every situation is different. Every child is different. And every parent is different. There are a lot of factors that go into what we so easily call "bullying" today.

Posted: August 13, 2018

We've had an outstanding experience with my high school student- who started in High School after attending public schools from Kinder. The teachers are truly invested in developing lifelong learners and give every single student the attention they need. The students themselves are incredibly confident and inquisitive and very accepting of new students. My child has blossomed under the care of Waldorf. Each student has a faculty mentor, who checks in with them often and provides individual support. Our family didn't discover Waldorf until High School - but I wish my kids had the opportunity to start when they were little.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Absolutely outstanding! Is this a perfect school?....no. There is no such thing as a perfect school. Is it striving to be holistic, multi-cultural, dynamic, enthusiastic and welcoming?....YES! My daughter is a happy, successful Waldorf high school graduate who was recently accepted to UCLA, UCSD, USD and SDSU. At The Waldorf School of San Diego, she learned to be a well rounded, caring young adult who thrives on challenge and has a strong work ethic. She approaches the local and global community with a genuine interest in others, and how she can participate. What more could you ask for as a parent?!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

College and university professors remark positively about the moral character, enthusiasm for learning, ability to go above and beyond, and the care that Waldorf students show for their work, classmates and their community.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Homework has become a torture device in many schools, but Waldorf still believes in moderation. Homework starts around Grade 4 and averages about a half hour per night, increasing up to no more than 2 hours per night at the High School level. Teachers know the students incredibly well and are able to motivate and stretch them, without overwhelming them. The school administration team works in support of the faculty, they do not create or manage curriculum - teachers really do know how to get the best out of their students!

Posted: August 13, 2018

The approach of the Waldorf curriculum can often accommodate different learning needs and styles. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate which just means bringing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. This alone can make a huge difference! If the learning difference and needs are greater than usual, then another school may have more resources and Waldorf will let you know during the assessment.

Posted: August 13, 2018

This school utilizes a really good program called "Social Inclusion" which is a non-violent communication (and anti-bullying) program. It offers tools for students, families and faculty/staff to facilitate and resolve conflict. They work to develop social resilience, so children can learn to stand up for themselves in a healthy way. The entire culture of the school community works on understanding and relating to each other, so that the adult community can model acceptance and good communication for the students.

Posted: January 22, 2012

This is such a wonderful school, populated by a diverse and welcoming group of families, and loving, dedicated teachers. The school has a non-denomenational spiritual underpinning to the curriculum while avoiding any type of dogma or doctrine, thereby welcoming families of many different religions. My child has been thriving here for 10 years and counting. She is engaged in the world, respectful to her elders and peers alike, is willing to try new things (even when initially she thinks she won't like it), getting awesome grades, lends a hand in her community both inside and outside school, and is well thought of by teachers and schoolmates. Despite a few naysayers who state there is some "secret society" or other such nonsense, our family has found a warm and welcoming community here. Diversity thrives here in all it's human forms so if you have been trying to find a school that is just the right fit, do your family a huge favor - go take a tour at The Waldorf School of San Diego and see for yourself. Happy, healthy kids who can' wait to hear the next story, answer the next question and welcome their next friend!

Posted: January 15, 2012

I come from a family of high achievers: my mother graduated from Radcliffe, my grandfather was a professor at both Columbia and Harvard, my sister is a nurse, leader and teacher at Johns Hopkins University. I chose the Waldorf School of San Diego for my daughter because (as I've learned) the students aren't told what to see (in the traditional sense of an education; this is X, that is Y) they are given the freedom (through experiments, writing, movement, and artistic work, for example) to discover it. I am thrilled that my daughter will go to the new high school, where she will take classes in social justice, science, mathematics, visual art and theater. I feel that she has been able to discover so many things in her education (big things, small things): she has learned to knit, sew on a machine, she learned to juggle; she has created projects in language arts and history, she sings, acts in plays--that when she goes on to higher education (and into her life) she will be so used to this variety of experience she will not only have confidence and character, she will have will and imagination--things so desperately needed in our fast-paced, one-track world.

Posted: November 15, 2011

This school is the perfect fit for my son. His understanding of math, his love of reading, knitting, singing, hand games - his love of LEARNING - just blows me away. I drive six WSSD children from grades one through eight in my car pool and not only do they play well together on our long drive, they are bright, funny and respectful to each other and to me. We are early on in our journey through Waldorf and while I love where we are (also in 2nd grade, as is another recent reviewer), I find it hard to await the wonders of the coming years. I regularly join the monthly tours so I can visit the other grades and see what is coming next. I feel so blessed to have Waldorf as a part of our lives. WSSD is a great school with loving teachers and wonderful staff. I can't recommend it enough.

Posted: November 9, 2011

I couldn't be more impressed with my daughter's teacher - 2nd grade. She engages the children with amazing lesson plans that really come to life. Rudolf Steiner said, "Every lesson should always contain an element of 'flying.' " Steiner said of singing lessons-and this holds true for all lessons-that the teacher should strive for the children to have at least one "tingle" moment or "goosebump" experience during each class. My daughter's teacher does this everyday. My daughter shares all the wonderful things they do in class - her doing this is a measure of the effectiveness of the Waldorf Education!

Posted: November 8, 2011

All 3 of my children attended the Waldorf School of San Diego. They are all very successful--academically, professionally, and socially. They were able to achieve high academic standards at competitive universities; my oldest has a Ph.D in Econimics.

Posted: November 8, 2011

The best school in San Diego bar none! Teachers are amazing, the staff and administration really listen and care, the parents are super involved and the children are outstanding!

Posted: August 7, 2011

My son has been going to the school since he was 2 years old (total of 5 years). I love everything about this school. I wish I attended such school when I was growing up. Great community, great group of kids, the teachers are devoted and loving. I believe the school has a major role in how my son is.

Posted: April 4, 2011

My daughter has been going here for years with great results. Its a truly unique program and mood here. On one hand kind of "new age" with veggie foods, natural materials, low emphasis on team sports, unicycles at recess, etc. On the other hand it is probably the most traditional school in town in some ways: Christmas carols allowed, no computers (or any other electronic media), real blackboards, cursive writing, every child learns music. Great chance for parent involvement, in fact it is expected. Kids make more books than they read. Very "team" oriented, with none of that remedial, gifted, "honor student" stuff, so you have to be the type that does not need a child for your ego boost. Grading is vague, so you need to ask lots of questions of the teacher. Good moral atmosphere always.