FAQ

Waldorf Schools are part of a global network of schools that share a common educational philosophy developed by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. While each Waldorf school is independent and may have slight differences in curriculum or traditions based on local needs and resources, they all follow the same core principles of Waldorf education. These principles focus on nurturing the intellectual, emotional, and physical development of children in a holistic way, integrating arts, movement, and practical work into academic subjects.

Each Waldorf School designs its curriculum to be age-appropriate and emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. So while your friend’s child may have a slightly different experience at a different Waldorf School, they will likely be experiencing a similar approach to learning, centered on imaginative and experiential education.

The Waldorf School of Baltimore is fully accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), and the Waldorf Early Childhood Association (WECAN) ensuring that it meets the highest standards of Waldorf education. This accreditation affirms our commitment to providing a rich, balanced, and rigorous educational experience, in line with the core values and principles of Waldorf education.

To sum it up, while there may be variations in programming based on the specific school and location, the overarching philosophy and approach are the same across Waldorf schools.

The fastest growing independent school movement worldwide, there are more than 2,500 Waldorf schools across the globe. Each school in the 60 countries where they are located, adapts its curriculum to its particular culture.

Waldorf School of Baltimore is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse community. We recognize that diversity—in all its forms, including economic, cultural, and ethnic—nourishes our school and enriches the educational experience for all. At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, we are actively working to increase the diversity of our faculty and staff to better reflect the demographics of the Baltimore area. 

We believe that a diverse community enhances the learning experience and prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Here are a few ways we foster inclusivity and embrace diversity:

• Financial Aid Program: We offer needs-based financial assistance to ensure that families from diverse economic backgrounds have access to a Waldorf education. This helps ensure that financial barriers do not limit a child's opportunity to experience the holistic benefits of Waldorf education.

• Curriculum and Programming: Our curriculum incorporates diverse perspectives, stories, and heroes from around the world. We explore different cultures, traditions, and histories to create an environment where students appreciate and respect differences. This approach encourages empathy, compassion, and understanding.

• Cultural Celebrations and Community Events: We host events that celebrate different cultures and backgrounds, allowing our students and families to share their traditions and learn from each other. These events contribute to a greater sense of belonging and community.

• Ongoing Professional Development: We provide training for our faculty on cultural competency, social justice, and anti-bias education to create a learning environment that is equitable and inclusive for all students.

At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, we deeply value how diversity nourishes our entire community, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration. We are committed to continuously learning and growing together as we strive to ensure that every child’s potential is honored and nurtured.

Learn more about our Belonging Initiatives.

We are experienced in welcoming students at any point during the school year and across all grade levels. New students may take supplemental lessons—such as instrumental music or Spanish—to help them transition smoothly into their classroom work.

Regardless of grade level, students new to Waldorf education embrace our engaging, hands-on approach with excitement and enthusiasm.

Students quickly feel at home in our supportive and creative learning environment both academically and socially. 

Both Waldorf and Montessori education were developed around the same time (early 1900s) with a shared objective: to create a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for children and engages them both intellectually and through hands-on experiences. However, while their goals are similar, the methods used to achieve them are quite different.

In Montessori early childhood programs, children have access to a range of tasks (referred to as "work") and can independently move from one activity to another based on their own interests. When they feel ready, they may take a break for a snack and then continue exploring different stations. The activities in a Montessori classroom are designed with a specific academic purpose in mind. While many schools may bear the Montessori name, there can be variations in how the approach is implemented from one school to another as there is no accrediting body.

In contrast...

Waldorf early childhood programs place a strong emphasis on creative and imaginative play, viewing it as the "work" of the child. Children engage in collaborative play, often with open-ended materials such as play silks, blocks, wooden pieces, cups, and bowls, sparking their imaginations. Snack time is a communal experience where children participate in preparing their meal—kneading dough for rolls or chopping vegetables for soup—before sharing the meal together. Waldorf education is dedicated to nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—through a holistic approach often referred to as “Head, Heart, Hands.”

Waldorf schools also foster values of reverence and gratitude, fostering a deep respect for nature, the world around them, and the interconnectedness of all things. These values are woven throughout the curriculum and daily routines, helping children develop a sense of mindfulness, appreciation, and connection to others.

To ensure that these principles are upheld, only schools accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), may call themselves "Waldorf" schools, guaranteeing a consistent and high standard of education.

Early Childhood:
Waldorf education emphasizes limiting media exposure to encourage rich, hands-on learning experiences. At this stage, children’s imaginations thrive through real-life interactions, storytelling, and engaging with picture books. When children are exposed to screens—be it television or tablets—they are shown images created by others, which doesn’t allow them to engage their imagination or create their own mental images. Unlike play or storytime, which foster creativity, screen time doesn’t offer the same brain-stimulating experiences. Limiting media helps children develop their full imaginative potential, as their minds are more actively engaged in the world around them.

Elementary School:
At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, our classrooms are intentionally screen-free, allowing students to thrive both academically and socially. Waldorf teachers bring lessons to life through vivid storytelling, dynamic class discussions, hands-on experiments, artful chalkboard drawings, and other engaging techniques—all without the use of computers. Research supports this “unplugged” approach, highlighting the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on children’s development. Studies consistently show that essential 21st-century skills—such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—are best nurtured through activities like writing by hand, solving problems on paper, reading physical books, engaging in physical movement, and creating art and music. These methods foster deeper learning and cognitive growth, keeping students engaged and connected to the world around them.

Middle School:
As students enter middle school, technology is introduced thoughtfully and in developmentally appropriate stages. Computers and digital literacy are integrated to prepare students for high school, ensuring they are equipped to use technology responsibly and effectively. Cyber civics and other tech-based learning are woven into the curriculum, supporting a balanced and intentional approach to media and technology. This ensures students are both tech-savvy and grounded in the critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Extremely well! Waldorf School of Baltimore students are accepted to, and graduate from, a broad spectrum of high schools and, further down the road, notable colleges and universities, where they excel. We hear it time and time again, these schools are looking for our students because they are sparks in the classroom - inquisitive, self-confident, and equipped to meet challenges with imaginative solutions.

Here is a list of all the High Schools our graduating students have been accepted to, or enrolled in, in the past 5 years.

Arts & Ideas

Baltimore City College

Baltimore Design School

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Ingenuity)

Baltimore School for the Arts

Acting, Bass, Cello, Dance, French Horn, Guitar, Stagecraft, Violin, Visual Arts

Bard Early College High School

Beth TFiloh

Boys Latin

Bryn Mawr School

Calvert Hall College High School

Catonsville High School

City Neighbors

Crofton High School

Episcopal High School

Franklin High School

Friends School of Baltimore

George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology

Acting,Carpentry, Design and Production, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Vocal

Gilman School

Glenelg

Hereford

Jemicy

Kimberton Waldorf School

Lawrenceville Academy

Loyola Blakefield

Madeira, VA

Maryvale

McDonogh

Mercersburg Mergenthaler-Vocational High School

Oldfields

Park School

Philips Exeter Academy, MA

Roland Park Country School

St Paul’s

St Timothy’s

Towson High School

Washington Waldorf School

Western High School

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science

Waldorf schools are not art schools, but they offer a holistic education that integrates the arts into every academic discipline. Why? Because research consistently shows that incorporating the arts into the curriculum enhances cognitive abilities, improves information retention, and fosters creative thinking in fields like math and science. 

Beyond academics, the arts also have a positive impact on emotional development. While some Waldorf students go on to pursue careers in the arts, the majority follow diverse paths, excelling in a wide range of fields after graduation and college.