For parents who want something different than what Austin Independent School District can offer, there is Austin Waldorf School. This school is located on 8700 South View Road and offers education from Kindergarten all the way up through High School. Austin Waldorf School even offers Adult education classes. Since it is a private school, there is tuition to be considered. However, many parents claim that the education their children receive at Austin Waldorf School makes it all worth it.
Austin Waldorf School is one among many different Waldorf schools all over the nation. It is part of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and was founded in 1980. Waldorf schools are based on the educational philosophy of Austrian philosopher, scientist and artist Rudolph Steiner. He founded Waldorf Education in 1919 and today it is present in 900 independent schools in 55 different countries.
Steiner’s school system runs on a set of values that are conveyed to students through work in the classroom and without. In addition to the basic academic skills that most students learn, Waldorf students are also instructed in art and practical disciplines. There is daily individual and group instruction. The core concept behind Waldorf’s teaching methods is that each student is an individual who is passing through different life stages. A school’s job in the Waldorf method is not to conform the student to the school but to teach in a way that deals with the social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical needs of each student.
Art is the focus of most Waldorf schools, and it’s
no different at Austin Waldorf School. Children of all ages frequently participate in art, music, drama and storytelling as part of the regular curriculum. Teachers use these artistic elements, as well as other techniques to instill an inner enthusiasm from children for the subject matter.
In the preschool and kindergarten, there is no direct instruction or homework. Young children are encouraged to explore and participate in the world around them through creative activities and sensory experiences. As the child grows up through the Austin Waldorf School they are taught all the basic subjects but also are exposed to foreign languages, arts and handwork like knitting and woodworking. Unlike traditional school, the class and teacher move together from grade to grade through the entire eight years of elementary and middle school.
Austin Waldorf School isn’t for everyone, but it can be the perfect fit for families who are looking for something different in the way of education. There are nearly 400 students at the school, which grows more each year. If you’re interested in becoming part of this school, you’ll need to visit the school on a visitor morning, held in October and March. At that meeting, you’ll receive an application to fill out and turn in. The school will select students from that applicant pool base and invite some back for a three day visit to the classroom. After the in-class evaluation, you will be notified about the school’s decision.
For parents who want a unique school experience for their children, Austin Waldorf can be the perfect fit.
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