Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda

Posted: June 22, 2026

I had my two kids attend there for 4 years. Both kids are easy-going so no issues from the school, but one kid needed a little extra attention because she is more reserved. She didnt get it and I was advised to go to an outside specialist, no other support. Saw many other kids with special needs being kicked out. Moved her to public school and extra support kicked in without me having to do so much extra legwork.

Posted: June 22, 2026

Posted: December 3, 2025

In a world overflowing with media, technology, and constant social pressures, Waldorf offers a place where connecting with nature is paramount. Its a magical place where childhood is honored, and children are given the space to grow, imagine, and simply be children. Its a school where students learn the why and how behind everything, and where every class has meaningful interdisciplinary connections. When children study geometry, they begin woodworking; when they learn addition and subtraction, they all learn to knit. The community at my childs school is so warm, welcoming, and truly vibrant. The school administration is also wonderful at communicating with its parent community, creating a sense of partnership and shared purpose.

Posted: December 3, 2025

Posted: November 11, 2025

This school is magical. The community is welcoming, involved and diverse. To be blunt, the school gets a reputation for being too "woo woo" or "crunchy" yet that has not been my experience. Folks from all backgrounds and beliefs attend the school and the graduates attend Ivy's, Military academies, liberal art schools and foreign universities. The goal of this school is not just to get the students into "good" colleges, although that still happens, but rather to nurture each student into becoming a whole person. The graduates are not only thoughtful and intelligent, but also morally ambitious and globally minded. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants their child to become their full selves, not just a glorified worker bee whose sole purpose is hallow achievement and wealth.

Posted: November 11, 2025

My children (coll. sr., hs senior) attended HS at WWS. I also know the Whitman cluster well and there are some BIG differences.
At WWS:
Every kid learns to write very well (writing well = thinking well.) They also read deeply - from Dante to Orwell.
Every kid plays a sport and acts in the plays. No experience, no problem. They're taught by patient, caring adults. Being small, there aren't a lot of sport choices.
Every kid draws, paints, woodworks... My son entered with stick figures; a few years later had a painting in a local competition. (And he's STEM!)
- Mean, cliquey kids don't fit here. Classes go camping, do service together and bond like extended family. Kindness rules.
-Science and math are stronger than I expected - but for very STEM students who don't care about anything else, WWS isn't a great fit. They're working on adding more STEM.
- They get into GREAT colleges (Haverford, St.Olaf), flagships (UMD), Serv. academies and UK and Europe.
WWS is small but mighty. And the school really educated the whole child. They're just interesting, engaged, caring adults when they graduate.

Posted: November 11, 2025

Posted: October 29, 2024

We love this school and it has been amazing to see how our kids' growth and learning has been nurtured in so many phenomenal ways here. The teachers stay with their class for several years and really get to know each kid and their class deeply, so they really see and know our kids and can support their development all around as intelligent, thoughtful, kind people.

We also love that the curriculum explicitly focuses not just on academics but also on social-emotional development, learning how to work collaboratively in a community, nurturing creativity, self awareness, and self expression, and with an understanding of where our kids are in their mental/psychological/physical development. The fact that they don't use technology in the kindergarten and the lower grades has also really helped our kids stay present and focused - both at school and at home.

Our family had to make a whole bunch of changes to make it workable to send our kids here and it is no exaggeration to say that I am happy about that and grateful for what this school is providing my kids every single day.

Posted: October 29, 2024

Posted: October 16, 2023

My family has had the most wonderful experience at WWS and all three of my children are thriving there. There are a few things that have really stood out to me as unique and special about WWS. The Waldorf philosophy engages the child as a whole as they learn with their head, heart, and hands. This means every learning style is supported, movement and the arts are integrated into every traditional subject, and children are more likely to retain what they learn. Testing is deemphasized because teachers have the time to get to know each student and even follow them through the grades. The emphasis on being in nature and using natural objects is such a refreshing departure from most schools where more technology is being introduced at younger ages, and it not only fosters a love of nature, it grounds and relaxes the children. I have seen what a difference this more intimate, lower-stress environment has had on my children - they are more confident, curious, outgoing, and excited to learn new things. Finally, I love how the WWS community regularly comes together to celebrate beautiful traditions and festivals, cheer on the various WWS sports teams, and lend one another support on a daily basis. What a gift it has been to become a part of this community - I can't recommend WWS highly enough!

Posted: August 29, 2023

WWS has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence. The curriculum is well-structured and provides a strong foundation for students' learning. The teachers are knowledgeable and dedicated, ensuring that students receive a quality education.
One of the standout aspects of WWS is its supportive environment. The staff and faculty go above and beyond to create a nurturing atmosphere where students feel valued and encouraged. The school promotes inclusivity and diversity, fostering a sense of belonging among the students.

Posted: August 29, 2023

Posted: August 17, 2023

Our child transitioned smoothly to the Washington Waldorf School in 6th grade and has enjoyed learning there for the past three years. He looks forward to school every day. The lessons are thoughtfully delivered by caring teachers and the content is immersive and comprehensive. Our child appreciates the warmth of this smaller school environment.

Posted: August 17, 2023

Posted: September 11, 2022

This review relates to the high school. Teachers tend to be arrogant in their dealings with families. They do not operate in the spirit of collaboration. The school curriculum is unapologetically white eurocentric. Queer kids and kids of color are accepted but the faculty is not universally capable of understanding how to diversify their own interactions and curriculum to be relevant to a a diverse group of families, let alone the fact that white kids need more than a eurocentric approach and curriculum. Understanding of neurodiversity and learning differences is limited. Lots of good stuff in their advertising but completely lacking in substance. Discrimination occurs, is ignored and dismissed. We were a long term family.

Posted: September 11, 2022

Posted: January 14, 2021

Our daughter has thrived at the Washington Waldorf School since joining the first grade in the Fall of 2020. The educational experience offered by WWS has nurtured all aspects of our daughters life and personality. The emphasis that WWS places on skills beyond basic reading, writing and arithmetic has been critical to her growth as a person and increased confidence in herself and abilities (both mental and physical). The basic curriculum is certainly taught - and taught well - but the use of movement, arts and crafts, music, and outdoor activities to teach and enrich has made all the difference. WWS's guiding principle is the education of the whole person; as our daughter experiences the highs and lows of life, we feel this will serve her well. We are excited to watch our daughter's progress as she continues her education at WWS.

Posted: July 18, 2018

In my experiences it did. Having small class sizes and close relationships with teachers meant that there were many opportunities for both special attention and one-on-one learning when needed.

Posted: July 18, 2018

This was not something that I ever experienced at Waldorf but I know that these things are inevitable and I have always heard of them being handled well at Waldorf.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Absolutely. Having attended the school from pre-school through the twelfth grade, it helped me grow and mature a great deal. The connections I had with other students were incredibly strong having spent more than 12 years with many of them and I am still very close to most of my classmates today 10 years after graduating. Building these strong connections to both my classmates and the greater community taught me a great deal about integrity, compassion and respect.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Looking back, I cannot imagine my life if I had not gone to Waldorf. Now as a "lifer" (attended pre-school through 12th grade) it is hard to say what my experience would have been like at a different school, but, Waldorf education worked wonders for me. The teachers were fantastic and I still communicate with many of them today ten years after graduating and I still feel support from the community to this day. If I have children they will definitely be going to the Washington Waldorf School. Both the educational experience and community are truly unbeatable.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Letting students not have homework until the 3rd grade meant that we were very excited when we finally began having it and really applied ourselves to the process.

Posted: July 18, 2018

I had a fantastic experience with the teachers, because the school is so small I always felt like the teachers really understood me as an individual and I trusted them enough to be able to approach them whenever I was struggling with anything either academically or socially.

Posted: January 8, 2016

Our two children have been at WWS for 8 years and I highly recommend this amazing school. My husband and I have been very impressed with the well thought out curriculum, the quality of the teachers and respect they show every student, the quality and depth of our children's work, and how this school is helping them grow into well spoken, confident young women. Our children ENJOY school, ENJOY learning, and ENJOY reading. They are learning at WWS how to be well rounded, creative thinkers. The community is wonderful and I keep hearing wonderful things about graduates from WWS - Fulbright Scholarships and how impressed colleges are with our applicants ++. It's too hard to summarize here - WWS is a place where the more you learn the more you are impressed - so go take a look at the website and visit in person.

Posted: January 8, 2016

Posted: February 5, 2015

We have been at the school for six years and feel it is the best place for our children. The preschool/kindergarten program is nurturing, engaging and active. I love that the children are outside everyday and given space to play. I really appreciate the attention to whole child development - all children develop their academic, artistic and physical sides. It is amazing to look at the artwork or see performances - you see the talent in each and everyone of them. There is a positive sense of community that is fostered in the lower school classes. Children learn to cooperate and work together as they stay together for eight years. The children in the high school are some of the nicest, most confident, well-adjusted teens I have seen, which says a lot about the school.

Posted: January 25, 2015

WWS is a wonderfully warm & substantive place to learn. Our kids have been there for 6 years; our oldest is now in high school. They love it. I can't imagine a better place to be--the teaching is thoughtful, the curriculum rich and delightful, and the parent community deeply kind. Check it out!

Posted: December 10, 2014

This will never be told to you at school visits or by the admissions. This school is run by teachers who make a religion out of anthroposophy. If they see your child has allergies, any behavior issues, or is wetting the bed the teachers push therapeutic EURYTHMY. When I asked my father who is a physician, he said it is complete bogus practice. But for those of you who are wise, you can research more about Steiner believes on the internet. I was charmed by the beautiful surroundings of the children's garden, the organic food, time outdoors. But there is a totally different hidden world that the school hides from the parents.

Posted: November 23, 2014

WWS is a pre-K -12 grade school that teaches kids how to think, not what; instills a love of life-time learning, not if. For young children, 2-9 years old, kids are allowed a sense of wonder and childhood delight in learning. For middle-school through HS years, they are charged with inside-out, whole-to -part learning, instilled with self-confidence that they can solve new problems, and can communicate clearly. Unlike other schools that I know in the area, for all students, academics are supported, investigated through the arts as well: drawing, painting, handcrafts, movement, and music. Its an amazing education. And, my two children love to come to school every day.

Posted: June 9, 2014

WWS has a great approach to learning, I greatly credit it to my success in middle and high school. The main drawback of it is there is a lot of bullying, I got bullied a lot in my five years at WWS, unless you get a good teacher and a class without bullies this school can be a great experience.

Posted: January 13, 2014

I like to play. I do not like to be alone. Teachers are cool. I prefer to play than being alone. I have a lot of friends in Washington Waldorf School. I do not really like the food but I like the bunny that there is in Washington Waldorf School. From a student (5 years old)

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	1.9 mi
2	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	5 mi
3	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	5.5 mi
4	White Flint	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	6.2 mi
5	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	6.5 mi
6	Shreevewood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	7.1 mi
7	Old Farm	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	7.1 mi
8	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	7.5 mi
9	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	7.6 mi
10	Forest Knolls	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	7.8 mi
11	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	7.9 mi
12	Broyhill Crest	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Annandale	VA	8.3 mi
13	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	8.5 mi
14	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	8.7 mi
15	Barkley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fairfax	VA	8.9 mi
16	DuMont Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	8.9 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Arlington	Arlington	VA	2.9 mi
2	Georgetown	Washington	DC	4.7 mi
3	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	5.8 mi
4	Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	5.9 mi
5	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	6.6 mi
6	West Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	6.9 mi
7	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	7.2 mi
8	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	7.7 mi
9	Vienna	Vienna	VA	8.5 mi

Base	Distance
Walter Reed Medical Center	3.8 mi.
Fort Myer	5.4 mi.
Henderson Hall	6.3 mi.
Pentagon	6.6 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	7.5 mi.
Fort McNair	8 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	8.4 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	8.4 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	8.5 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	8.6 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	9.6 mi.
Andrews AFB	16.1 mi.
Fort Belvoir	16.7 mi.
NRO Chantilly	18.3 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	22.8 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	25.3 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	33.7 mi.
US Naval Academy	34.2 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	34.2 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	35.1 mi.
Fort Detrick	37.4 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	42.4 mi.

Washington Waldorf School

Bethesda, MD 20816

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Washington Waldorf School

Bethesda, MD 20816

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