Green School

In 2021, we made a groundbreaking move as the first school in Baltimore City to launch an exclusively outdoor Forest Kindergarten. 

The Forest Kindergarten is part of a rich tradition that began in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, where outdoor, nature-based learning has been a foundational part of early childhood education for over a century. Inspired by the Forest Schools model, our program immerses children 100% in the outdoors, regardless of weather, fostering a deep, lasting connection to nature.

With a nearby classroom for extreme weather, children explore, play, and learn through the natural world. From building shelters to observing the life cycles of insects, every moment is an opportunity for hands-on discovery. Weather is seen as a teachable moment, helping children develop resilience, grit, and a profound understanding of the world around them.

The benefits of this approach are vast: children build physical strength, improve problem-solving skills, and develop social-emotional intelligence through outdoor collaboration and exploration. Academic concepts like math, science, and language emerge naturally during play, creating a foundation for lifelong learning.

By spending their days in the forest, children gain more than just academic knowledge—they develop a deep sense of wonder, responsibility, and environmental stewardship that will last a lifetime.

Through hands-on projects, students are taught the importance of caring for the land and supporting the health of the natural world around them.

One of our key efforts is repopulating the woods with native trees, helping to restore the balance of local ecosystems while creating habitats for wildlife. We also work together to remove invasive plants like wisteria, which can overpower native species, ensuring the woods remain a thriving, diverse space for years to come.

Our students take pride in maintaining trails by mulching them to prevent erosion and preserve the beauty of the forest for future generations. We also plant pollinator gardens, providing vital support for bees, butterflies, and other creatures that are essential to a healthy environment.

Each grade at the Waldorf School of Baltimore embarks on at least one camping trip per year, designed to align with their developmental stage and foster both personal growth and environmental awareness. These trips provide valuable opportunities for students to engage with nature in meaningful ways, enhancing their understanding of the world around them.

In third grade, student visit Hawthorne Valley Farm in Upstate New York, where they participate in farm activities, such as caring for animals and observing the birth of a calf. This experience helps them develop an appreciation for the natural cycles of life and the connection between humans and the land.

In eighth grade, students embark on a week-long wilderness trip that combines both environmental and cultural experiences, allowing them to connect deeply with the land and reflect on its significance.

Throughout these trips, students are encouraged to reflect on their relationship with nature, deepen their environmental awareness, and develop a sense of responsibility for the world around them. These outdoor experiences complement our environmental education curriculum, helping students form lasting connections with the natural world.

Gardening and foraging are woven into our Nature Studies programs, giving children hands-on experiences that connect them to nature in a meaningful way.

Gardening: Cultivating Care and Wonder

From planting tiny seeds to harvesting their own food, children learn patience, responsibility, and the joy of tending to living things. In the younger years, gardening is all about wonder—feeling the soil, watching plants grow, and understanding the rhythms of nature. As they grow older, students dive deeper, exploring composting, soil health, and sustainable growing practices that connect science, storytelling, and real-world skills.

Foraging: Discovering Nature’s Gifts

Foraging invites children to explore the natural world with curiosity and respect. Whether gathering wild berries, learning about edible herbs, or identifying medicinal plants, they develop a deeper awareness of their surroundings. More than just a lesson in plant identification, foraging teaches mindfulness, self-sufficiency, and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems.

Through gardening and foraging, Waldorf students don’t just learn about nature—they build a lifelong relationship with it, one that fosters creativity, confidence, and care for the world around them.

Sustainability at Waldorf: Living What We Teach

At the Waldorf School of Baltimore, sustainability isn’t just a lesson—it’s a way of life. Through hands-on experiences and intentional choices, students learn to care for the earth in ways that are both practical and deeply meaningful.

Composting & Vermicomposting – Traditional composting and vermicomposting (using worms to break down food scraps) teach students how organic waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil for our gardens.

Rain Gardens & Rain Barrels – We manage stormwater naturally by collecting rainwater in barrels for irrigation and maintaining rain gardens that filter runoff and support biodiversity.

Low Energy Usage & No-Idling Zones – Energy conservation is part of our culture, from using natural light and low-energy appliances to encouraging carpooling and designated no-idling zones for cleaner air.

Robust Recycling Programs – Students actively participate in recycling, learning what materials can be repurposed and how small choices make a big impact.

Native Species Planting & Seed Saving – Our gardens are filled with native plants that support local pollinators, and we teach students the art of seed saving to preserve biodiversity.

Zero Waste Lunches – Families are encouraged to pack waste-free lunches, reducing single-use plastics and promoting mindful consumption.

These efforts, combined with ongoing environmental education, empower our students to be thoughtful stewards of the planet—learning not just why sustainability matters, but how to live it every day.

The WSB beekeeping program is a core part of the Nature Studies curriculum, offering students practical lessons in sustainability, ecology, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The honey produced by our bees is used in every classroom to sweeten tea, giving students a direct connection to the work they’ve done caring for the hives.

Throughout the year, students are involved in various aspects of beekeeping—from monitoring the hives to learning about pollination and hive dynamics. They observe the bees’ role in the local ecosystem, studying how they contribute to plant life and food production. The honey harvested from these hives becomes a symbol of their efforts, a reminder of the importance of bees in maintaining biodiversity and sustainability.

By using this honey in classrooms, students are able to taste the results of their learning and experience the impact of nature studies firsthand. It’s a simple but meaningful way for them to see the connection between their actions, the environment, and the food they consume.

Tending to chickens is another key component of the Waldorf School of Baltimore's Nature Studies program, where students gain hands-on experience in animal care, responsibility, and sustainable farming practices. Students participate in feeding, cleaning, and caring for the chickens, learning about their needs and behaviors while also witnessing how the chickens contribute to the school’s ecosystem.

Through this work, students learn about the life cycles of animals, the role chickens play in a sustainable garden (such as through their waste being composted and used in the garden), and the broader concept of food production. They also observe firsthand how the chickens help control pests, provide eggs, and support the balance of nature in a small, self-sustaining system.

The chickens are a valuable part of the school’s curriculum, allowing students to experience the full cycle of care and stewardship. By tending to the chickens, they develop a deep appreciation for where food comes from and how farming, even on a small scale, plays an important role in sustainability.