Bright Water Waldorf School

Posted: December 14, 2018

Time is provided for most work to be completed in class during elementary school. Our son is in middle school now, and has large projects and reports he must complete outside of school. These assignments seem appropriate to his age and provide a good opportunity for him to build his solo work skills.

Posted: December 14, 2018

I have found the teachers (and staff) at the school are very well-trained and excellent at guiding the children. They are engaged not only in teaching their special subjects and leading their classes, but also holding a great social structure for all the students.

Posted: December 14, 2018

Yes yes yes. The school is underpinned by a wonderful social structure. These students really do encounter other people with genuine curiosity and kindness.

Posted: December 14, 2018

I have observed the board of directors and the head of school working together effectively, to solve many problems over the years! The leadership is also very good at communicating and making their process visible to the parent community.

Posted: December 14, 2018

There are some good resources, for instance a Reading Specialist who helped my son when he needed extra coaching. However, as a small school, I know it has historically been a challenge for Bright Water to find the resources and staffing to support every child, especially those children who can't participate in class along with their group.

Posted: December 14, 2018

My son's teachers have always held the social life of the class as a major priority. If interpersonal issues (of any sort) arise, they hold class meetings and the students create a solution. Bullying is very effectively PREVENTED by the overall high priority placed on the social life of the whole school.

Posted: December 14, 2018

Very happy! My son started at age 3 in the Early Childhood program and will graduate from 8th Grade this spring. That makes me an 11-year customer ... and I couldn't be more grateful.

Posted: December 12, 2018

Bright Water is a magical and very special place. We are grateful every day that we send our daughter to this school. She is in the early childhood program and we couldn’t be more happy.

Her teacher is lovely. She cares so much about each student and is so invested in their well-being and growth. The parent community is cohesive and friendly and so invested in the school.

During the school day, the children bake and paint and dance and draw; they hear stories and sing songs. They play outside for hours every day. They form such close relationships and treat each other like a family.

In Early Childhood, there are not formal “academic” lessons, but the teachers integrate the building blocks of early education so seamlessly: children learn fine motor skills through sweet hand movement games, painting, drawing and working in other artistic medium such as beeswax. They learn phonetics through story-telling and in the way that Waldorf teachers articulate their words in regular speech to the children. My four-year-old daughter has had no academic lessons in reading, but she has naturally started to phonetically sound out words and spell them when she speaks. I attribute this to the slow, deliberate speaking of the teachers and the way they instruct through story-telling peaking her interest in how letters and words sound.

The classrooms are homelike, calming and beautiful. The kids transition mainly through song and familiarity with the rhythm of the day. The children have confidence in and take ownership of the flow of the day and you notice very little struggle between students and teachers.

The Early Childhood program has no media in the classrooms and asks that children not come to school in branded clothing (Frozen, Star Wars, etc.). This has been a wonderful thing for my daughter and seems to be for the other children as well. They develop the most intricate games that come entirely from their own imagination.

We highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a loving, nurturing place for their children that will foster curiosity, imagination and intellect and do it all with so much love and care.

Posted: December 12, 2018

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Posted: December 6, 2018

No homework in the early grades, a philosophy backed by more and more research!

Posted: December 6, 2018

Being a Waldorf teacher is a lifestyle not a job. I have never met people more committed to the growth and well-being of the children in their care.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Treating each other with love and respect is central to everything that happens in and out of the classroom.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Administration can be challenging at a small school, where folks have to wear many hats, but the Head of School is always willing to listen.

Posted: December 6, 2018

I couldn't be any happier with the education my children are receiving! It has been a leap of faith because Waldorf pedagogy is very different from what I grew up with, but the more I see as my children grow, the more I am convinced it is what the world needs to create empathetic, curious, and confident leaders.

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

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Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

Just what is it about that child? Waldorf children live in wonder, have reverence for life, look you in the eye when speaking and have an authentic respect for self and others. Using the knowledge of how children learn, Rudolf Steiner realized that the curiosities, the restlessness, the predispositions, and the abilities of each age prove openings toward certain themes. Waldorf education/curriculum is designed to matter deeply to children as they go through their inner evolution. The content of subjects studied each year are truly soul food for the students. Steiner predicted that children would experience a deep sense of satisfaction when given the right topics at the right time. That is the magic sauce--the brilliance that has endured for 100 years.What does it mean to be a Waldorf teacher?Year after year as the Waldorf teacher shepherds his/her class through the grades, reverence and love develops for each child. After many years together, the teacher and students become like family. One of the many advantages of such a relationship is the ability to carry traditions and activities from one school year to the next. This sense of belonging helps develop the security that allows a child to invest energy in deep engagement in new concepts or knowledge.
Waldorf teachers are free to seize opportunities to spark wonder and harness engagement. Our family is grateful that our children are in a school where their teachers are allowed to rely on their intuition and judgement and are actively encouraged to develop deep connections with students. Whether they know it or not, children hunger for culture and for a classic and meaningful education that feeds and nourishes the soul.Bright Water Waldorf School represents education as it should be. In many ways our school house on the hill is like our curriculum, old but good. Interpreting the distinguished Waldorf philosophy in a historic school building that creates the feeling that teachers and students have stepped outside of our high speed, multitasking, media driven electronic age and into a more grounded era that provides a looking glass back into days of yore such as ancient Greece. At our school, one will witness happy children and teachers immersed in a sense of timelessness that encourages childhood."Everything really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” ~Albert Einstein

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Before we picked Bright Water, we picked Waldorf.

Why? Three main reasons. First, it has to do with the kind of childhood we want our kids to have. Mainly, we want them to be happy. For us, this means having them in a developmentally appropriate setting. Waldorf is ideal for this. It was designed from the beginning by educator Rudolf Steiner to focus on developmentally appropriate education at every age. Instead of premature reading and writing, there’s an early childhood program that stirs their sense of wonder at the world and focuses on the whole child. Starting in first grade, you have academics of the most holistic kind--including even two foreign languages (Spanish and Japanese at Bright Water)--and thoroughly integrated with music, movement, and art. The developmental appropriateness keeps kids happy and helps them develop a love of learning to last their lifetime.

Our second reason has to with the kind of people we want our children to become. Mainstream public education’s focus on basic academics favors task skills over creativity and problem-solving. Such basic skills are not our family’s focus. We want to raise intrepid problem-solvers who are in touch with their own personal strengths. Our family’s own emphasis on exploring and problem-solving is at the heart of the Waldorf method.

Third, overall educational outcomes. Notably, a substantial proportion of Waldorf kids get into top colleges and almost all go to college.

Next… Why Bright Water?

Seattle has two lovely Waldorf schools. Seattle Waldorf and Bright Water are both excellent. When we interviewed at Bright Water, we had terrific chemistry with the teachers who interviewed our whole family, and its location in North Capitol Hill worked better for us.

We knew we would be happy, but the school has even exceeded our expectations. The children just finished their first year, and it was terrific. On weekends, our kindergartener even would look forward to Mondays so she could return to her magical classroom, its fairy tales, baking of bread, cooking of soup, and daily trips (rain or shine) to Volunteer Park right in the neighborhood. Our son--with enthusiasm dampened only by attachment to Mommy--also had a wonderful experience in the warm and cozy pre-K. The building is gorgeous and inspiring, and the teachers and staff are so committed to the kids.

Posted: December 16, 2014

We were drawn to Bright Water School as an alternative place for my son. It is calm, orderly, nurturing, lovely. It's a slower-paced environment, where kids aren't rushed around all day. All of the teachers subscribe to the Waldorf philosophy of development and teaching methods, so there is consistency among faculty. This is a very mindful, intentional school. For younger children especially, it can be a refuge. As to the reading and math, Waldorf teaches it formally during the proper developmental stage. It's true that for some kids, intervention for delays/special needs may come later than at other schools, and this is something the school is working on. For those who stick around, academics get intense in middle school. My son can attest to that! Our new administration is providing strong leadership as we take our school from being adolescent to mature. Over the past 6 years, I have personally benefited a lot from being a part of the parent community here. I'd say come see for yourself if the place would suit your family.

Posted: April 24, 2013

Beautiful and clean classrooms, caring and happy teachers. A wonderful and safe place for kids to struggle, fail and succeed!

Posted: March 27, 2013

We have had mixed experiences with BWS. For K and pre-K this is a great environment, but if your child needs academic challenges at an early age, they are not going to get it here. We took my son out after the school insisted he attend a third year of Kindergarten even though it was clear he was bored. Our daughter, has been happy and enriched in her early grade experience, although it has become obvious that her reading and math skills have not been adequately developed. Teacher quality and effectiveness is highly variable. Most, if not all, teachers have no formal child development or education background other than Waldorf training. The administrative staff is the primary challenge. They are non-cummunicative, borderline hostile and ineffective in dealing with parent concerns, as well as the teachers. There have been several waves of student departures over the last few years due to unhappy parents and kids with learning disabilities that went undiagnosed for years. The school is now struggling with student retention. If you are willing to fully embrace the Waldorf way and can look past the staff issues, then check out BWS.

Posted: February 20, 2013

What a wonderful school! It s calm, it s rhythmic, it s beautiful. It s full of stories and thought. Little children are allowed, encouraged to spend time at play and a lot of that time outdoors, exploring in nature. Grade school children continue this emphasis on movement and the outdoors, while beginning their academic journey, adding in math, reading (first and second graders are allowed time for the magic of reading to happen naturally and with joy), writing, and science skills through imagination, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. In addition, children learn Spanish, Japanese, how to knit and do other creative handwork and woodwork, play the flute, paint, sing. They get to pick a stringed instrument in grade four. Once in middle school, the academic learning is wonderfully challenging with algebra, physics, geology, geography, human physiology, ancient cultures and more. I have a second grader and a sixth grader, and my children wake up every morning excited to go to school. We are deeply grateful for what this school gives our children and our family!

Posted: January 26, 2013

I had to pull my child out of this school due to poor academics. Your child's education will only be as good as the main teacher they will have. (students have the same teacher for most of their subjects for eight years). My child attended for two years. Almost half of the parents in her class ended up pulling their child from the school as well because they were not happy with their child's progress. I think the school has great intentions and care about each student but it is a young school and has a way to go.

Posted: March 17, 2012

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.

Posted: September 17, 2011

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!

Posted: August 11, 2011

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.

Posted: August 9, 2011

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."

Posted: May 10, 2011

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.

Posted: April 14, 2011

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.

Posted: January 5, 2011

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.

Posted: December 18, 2010

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.

Posted: December 17, 2010

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.

Posted: December 16, 2010

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.

Posted: October 25, 2010

I can't say enough about how choosing Bright Water School and Waldorf education for my children has expanded my view of what education, parenting, childhood, and community are about -- all for the better. My kids are thriving there.

Posted: May 2, 2008