Why Waldorf?
Childhood First
While the world may rush childhood along, at the Waldorf School of Baltimore, we know it’s something to be cherished. Childhood is not just preparation for adulthood—it is a rich and meaningful time in its own right.
Our curriculum meets children where they are, providing age-appropriate learning experiences that nurture creativity, curiosity, and confidence. In the early years, students engage in imaginative play, storytelling, hands-on crafts, and outdoor exploration—building a strong foundation for academic success and social-emotional growth. As they grow, they gain take on real-world skills like knitting, woodworking, and farming, discovering the satisfaction of making and doing.
We also embrace a low-tech approach in the younger grades, prioritizing movement, nature, and artistic expression before introducing digital devices. This allows children to develop strong problem-solving skills, rich imaginations, and deep connections to the world around them.
At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, learning unfolds at the right time, in the right way, for each child—ensuring that childhood is a joyful, meaningful journey, not a race.
A Deep Connection to the Natural World
The Waldorf School of Baltimore is a USDE Green Ribbon School, recognized for its commitment to environmental education and sustainability. Here, children don’t just learn about nature—they experience it. They harvest the seeds they planted in the school’s gardens, discover a snack from a patch of native pawpaw trees, and care for the land through hands-on restoration projects. For over a century, Waldorf education has woven learning with the rhythms of the natural world, inspiring students to develop a deep connection and a lifelong responsibility for protecting it.
Whole Child, Whole World
Waldorf education nurtures the whole child—head, heart, and hands—because true learning happens when students are intellectually engaged, emotionally connected, and physically involved. Every student learns math, science, and literature—but also music, woodworking, movement, and handwork.
Whether painting, playing an instrument, or performing in a play, students develop creativity, confidence, and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the classroom.
A Loving, Supportive Community
Waldorf schools are more than just places of learning—they are warm, welcoming communities where relationships matter deeply. At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, every child is seen and valued, and social-emotional and ethical learning is prioritized.
Families are an integral part of this community, engaged through seasonal festivals, class plays, and volunteer opportunities that build connections beyond the classroom. This strong network of support helps students feel safe, loved, and encouraged, empowering them to take risks, make mistakes, and grow into their fullest selves. In our school, learning is not just academic—it’s about developing the heart and mind in an environment where every child’s uniqueness is recognized and celebrated
The Power of Looping: Growing Together Over Time
At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, we embrace looping, where teachers stay with the same class for multiple years, allowing them to deeply understand each child. This eliminates the need for lengthy adjustments and creates a strong foundation for active, vibrant teaching.
Teachers grow alongside their students, continually adapting and expanding their methods to meet evolving needs. This fosters a dynamic learning environment where both teacher and student thrive together. As students move through the grades, they build a strong classroom community that feels like family. The lasting bonds they form create friendships that stand the test of time, and our graduates leave Waldorf with connections that endure well beyond their years at school.
A Lifelong Love of Learning
At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, education isn’t about test scores or competition—it’s about a lifelong journey of discovery. The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum ensures that students don’t just learn facts—they develop the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and engage with the world wholeheartedly. Whether they become scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, or engineers, Waldorf graduates carry with them the curiosity, resilience, and confidence to meet the world with purpose.
At its core, Waldorf education is about nurturing capable, compassionate, and engaged individuals—ready to make a difference in the world.
Lesson Blocks and Main Lesson Books
The Main Lesson is the cornerstone of our educational approach in elementary school. Each day begins with movement—whether a trail walk, morning circle, or other outdoor activity—designed to engage both body and mind. Then, students immerse themselves in Main Lesson, a focused block of time lasting up to two hours, dedicated to one subject for several weeks.
This in-depth approach begins with a review of the previous day’s work, reinforcing knowledge. Teachers then engage students through presentations, discussions, experiments, and hands-on activities, making each lesson interactive and meaningful. At the end of each block, students create their own Main Lesson book, filled with compositions, experiments, math, historical accounts, and personal artwork. These books become unique, vibrant "textbooks," reflecting each child’s learning journey.
The block method allows for a deep dive into one subject at a time, helping students gain a complete understanding before moving on. It encourages creativity and critical thinking, using fewer worksheets and no textbooks—just real-world connections and project-based learning. This immersive approach fosters a lasting love for learning and a solid foundation of knowledge that stays with students far beyond their school years.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Connecting Knowledge Across SubjectsWe believe learning should never be compartmentalized. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that subjects are not isolated but interconnected, making learning richer, more meaningful, and relevant to real-life experiences.
In a Waldorf classroom, lessons build on each other in a way that reinforces and deepens students' understanding. For example, when learning about the Industrial Revolution, eighth graders may simultaneously be introduced to the sewing machine in handwork, illustrating the historical impact of mechanization through direct, hands-on experience. Similarly, during their Main Lesson block on Ancient Greece, fifth graders may also practice the athletic skills of a pentathlon in physical education, bringing the subject to life in an embodied way.
This interdisciplinary approach not only strengthens knowledge but encourages students to think critically, make connections, and see the relevance of what they’re learning in the world around them. By weaving subjects together in a cohesive, integrated way, Waldorf education nurtures well-rounded, curious thinkers who are prepared for a lifetime of discovery and growth.
PROGRAMS
Early Childhood
Elementary School
Middle School
