My daughter is in her second year at the Richmond Waldorf School. We have had nothing but extremely positive experiences with the school and the school community. What drew me to RWS was their philosophy around educating the whole child. The skills that children learn in a Waldorf program are designed to build a healthy, educated whole individual. You can teach a child very specific skills at any school. Waldorf is helping to develop and nurture children's natural curiosity which is something that can't be found in a textbook. A curious child that is nurtured becomes a life long learner. Not everyone is familiar with the Waldorf education and it's fundamentals. CNN did a nice overview here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgA3jX8VPwc read more

Richmond Waldorf School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This school has been the worst experience for both our children. If you are looking for expensive knitting lessons, then this is the school for your child. The standard of education is very poor. Our children were not allowed to read until 2nd grade. This alone makes it hard for your child to get into any other school if you try to leave this school. I do not recommend this school to anyone.It's been BEYOND PATHETIC for our family. read more

Brief review: The reason why we have stayed at Richmond Waldorf School (RWS) for a total of seven years and will continue is that our children have thrived from their holistic approach. Education is based on each child as an individual and the individual's connection to others. RWS prepares them to be lovers of learning and they naturally thrive later academically and professionally. This school builds character and a connection to nature and their own individual concept of spirit. RWS is also making real strides to increase racial diversity and inclusion of marginalized populations. Detailed review: We have two children at RWS. It is a pre-k through 8th grade school. One of our children is in pre-K and the other is in the grades. My spouse is a high school teacher of 15 years (10 in public and 5 in private school). I am a resident psychotherapist (15 years as a counselor) and have a masters in counseling psychology with particular emphasis of education, training and experience on child/adolescent development, family systems, and sociocultural influence. We have thought quite critically of what the best education for our children would be. We will have invested thousands of dollars in their development and education so we had to make sure this is right for us. RWS has been worth it. RWS students are accepted into governor's schools, Maggie Walker, Trinity Episcopal School and more. Before we decided on sending our children to RWS, I was concerned from past reviews that this school is not academically rigorous enough. They do prepare our children, but differently in a way that is developmentally appropriate. The curriculum does not rush or force information in meaningless ways i.e. rote memorization and homework that does very little to benefit students and families. The RWS curriculum creates a love for learning. I am particularly fond of the emphasis on oral story telling, movement, sound and song in the early years that are preparing the students for the more formal academics such as reading, writing and math later. My 8 year old reads at a 4th grade level. There is a deep intentional process in the curriculum and a love for learning instead of pressure to perform well in S.O.L.s. RWS builds character in a deep and meaningful way. For example, they teach songs, stories and plays and spend weeks on them. Themes demonstrated for example are hard work, honesty and citizenship. The teachers model these characteristics and inspire our children. When my child was only 6 years old, she memorized an entire play in a joyful way and had no qualms performing with her class in front of the entire school of encouraging and respectful classmates. RWS understands the mind-body connection. Pre-k through 8 have regular biking and movement classes and every day motor skills are integrated into almost every subject and task (i.e. they engage in cross lateral movement while singing which is researched to improve brain functioning and integration). The early childhood classes, rain or shine, spend an hour or more outside in nature every day. The graders and middle school spend a lot of time outside as well. There is never bad weather just bad gear (community hand me downs are awesome!) The most recent studies are unanimous in that play is the way young children learn and being outside in a green space decreases stress hormones. As a family, there are only two things we need to add to or supplement to the Waldorf curriculum until the school can expand further in these areas. Spiritually, our family has alternative views to the general mainstream and Waldorf's inclusion of Christian beliefs. We are agnostic, Buddhist and live under the principles of social justice. RWS has a basic reverence to nature and uses the Saints and Christian text in a way that does not interfere with our differing beliefs and are usually in line with our beliefs. We do still feel the need to supplement and counter the Christian hegemony at home and in our community. We are a multiracial family. It is our dream that RWS will be the first private school to truly integrate racially and socioeconomically. We are helping to make this happen by participating in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Mosaics at RWS. I want to end with what my spouse has shared with me. My spouse teaches at a popular private high school and has seen first hand how students from Waldorf are well adjusted, happy and have a love for learning unmatched by other private school students and public school students. There is a distinct difference. The students from Waldorf are not only focused on grades but actually understanding the material and enjoying themselves through the process. They can perform well in an academically rigorous private school. The foundation is created at RWS. A holistic approach works. read more

I took my daughter to their open house and expressed interest in enrolling her at the school. After acting interested, the school rescheduled the necessary follow-up visits multiple times over several weeks, sometimes while I was in the car driving to an appointment with them! Then, when I asked to move the process forward without these visits that they were unable to schedule, they stopped talking to me entirely. This is either jaw-dropping incompetence on their part, or an unnecessarily nasty passive-aggressive rejection. Either way, it is extremely unprofessional and speaks poorly of the character of the people running the school. I will also give you my impression of the school from the tour I took and interactions I had with the teachers: This school is based on a 19th century model that emphasizes copy work (literally copying down what the teacher writes on the board) and hand work (knitting and wood carving and such). I wanted my daughter to attend to meet other kids, since we are new to the area, and to do fun projects with them during the day. However, I fully expected to school her on academic subjects after she came home in the afternoons. For that kind of plan, the place seemed fine, but I would never send a child here without heavily supplementing the academics in every subject. This is not a school that is going to make your child excel academically. In addition, some people might be put off by the heavy dose of hippie woo that this place dishes out. From the very beginning, almost no teacher could open his or her mouth without something rather convoluted yet non-specific falling out, involving heavy use of the word "spirit". One child's example work that was on display explained how "the Platonic solids" form the basic structure of the physical and spiritual worlds. Neo-Platanism? Really? My daughter is old enough to tolerate and ignore such things, but I would hesitate to put her in such an environment if she were younger. I would have paid the tuition, and probably been happy enough with the place, because my expectations are extremely low (I'm looking for socialization rather than academics). If you're looking for an actual school, however, there are a few Montessori schools around with very low enrollment in the upper elementary grades where children can get a lot of one-on-one attention, and where the academics are better. read more

My children have attended this school from pre-k to middle school. The classes are small and diverse. The teachers are skillful at presenting subject matter relevant and interesting to the children at their stage of development. My children have had their challenges along the way, Waldorf has made accommodations when they are able. The lessons are so much more than the children copying from the board, as a previous review stated. Subject matter is presented from many different perspectives to facilitate complete comprehension as opposed to rote memorization. The emphasis on art and physical activity improves the children's ability to learn and engage with the world. The Waldorf education truly nurtures and challenges the whole child. read more

We have a daughter who attended the Richmond Waldorf School for 11 years. She easily gained entrance to the public magnet HS she wanted to attend and has earned the highest GPA possible in her first year. Why? because, she knew how to think around a problem, how to make an object if needed, how to work on a team, and how to listen to what the teachers had to say. 1) in 8th grade RWS students learn coding and they use computers, in fact, most Waldorf school grads are well above their peers in math and science, Why? because they know the beauty and why of math, not just the memorization of rote SOL questions. 2) Waldorf educated children write beautifully, they fall in love with verse, song and poetry early and are used to reciting and reading in public. 3) They can actually MAKE something, food, sewing, drawings, music, woodworking. Try teaching a group of college students at the nations top ranked school of art and design to make something.....I wish they were all Waldorf grads. 4) Waldorf students were a valued part of a class and school family, their voices were heard and respected, and they in turn hear others. They are unafraid to stand up to bullying or injustice. They do not judge others as less than worthy. Waldorf students are compassionate, they have not been hardened by a grinding rote school process with social dysfunction and cliques. Waldorf may not be for everyone, if your child has certain learning needs requiring support that only a big school system has, it won't be the answer for you. If you need constant support of your needs and to helicopter, it won't work for you, and it might just not fit your family, and that's ok, if it does work for you, embrace it! read more

I have two children that are enrolled in their second year at Richmond Waldorf School in the Early Childhood Program. I cannot speak highly enough of our experience there. They program builds a strong foundation on pre-reading literacy which focuses on the use of oral language, poems, stories, song and verse. Stories are spoken and the children use their imagination to fill in the pictures, which is the basis of how reading works. These are the essential building blocks for language acquisition and the decoding that will be necessary later on for reading. I have so many friends with Kindergartners who have to practice sight words every night, and it has become a source of stress and struggle. In most cases, it is because they kids aren't developmentally ready to decode words yet. I love that Waldorf keeps academics at the appropriate developmental age. My daughter's natural enthusiasm of learning has manifested by her frequent spontaneous requests to practice writing, confirming that she is fully prepared to move to the next stage of literacy. Not to mention the amazing vocabulary that have both developed! They also learn songs in Spanish and Russian. My children are genuinely happy when they arrive at school. They are greeted by their teacher and invited into the daily routine. They get plenty of outside play (up to 1.5 hours a day!), and child directed activity intermingled with structured activity. Best of all, the teachers have taken the time to build a relationship with my highly spirited children. They are able to see their potential even during challenges, and continue to work with them and encourage them to be the best they can be. What a gift! read more

My daughter has attended Richmond Waldorf for two years now and we couldn't be happier with this school. From the faculty and staff to the parental involvement and the unique curriculum, we are so happy that an option like this exists in Richmond. As a certified teacher for k-6, I have seen many school environments where the kids are disconnected from the subject matter and from real life learning. The experiential based learning environment offered in a Waldorf classroom is the kind of flexible, creative experience where children thrive. I think this is why so many Fortune 500 execs in Silicon Valley choose Waldorf for their children. If you are considering private schools in Richmond, I suggest that you "think outside the box" a bit and explore this kind of school. read more

After enduring 6 long grueling years in the NY State, Common Core obsessed, Public School system we decided to make a change. That change was a new state and new pedagogical approach to teaching, namely the Richmond Waldorf School. It is our opinion that this teaching method embodied at RWS is superior to anything being offered today. The staff at RWS truly believe in the method, and bring to the table a passion, ingenuity, enthusiasm and true understanding of childhood development long gone from the public schools my child has attended, or I have investigated. My son has never been happier attending school, and at the end of the day isn't that what all parents want, the ability to give their child the best education possible? Well at RWS, unequivocally, we have found it! read more

My son has attended several Waldorf schools and this has been my favorite. It really captures the sense of community that a school should and the parents all know each other and work together and care for each other and the children. The staff is some of the BEST teachers I have EVER met and my husband is a college professor. They follow the Waldorf doctrine well and my son, as well as I, thrived while we were there. If you have never heard of Waldorf then you'll want to check it out and learn some more, it is a beautiful way to educate and if you HAVE heard of it and you want Waldorf education for your child then you'll find this is an A+ Waldorf school capable of meeting the needs of your children as well as the larger schools. I *heart* Richmond Waldorf! read more

We enrolled our son for 2nd grade after being in public school for 2 years. He struggled in public school with a ADHD and Asperger's diagnosis. We were once told by a teacher in public school that they didn't have time to deal with our child because they had 26 other ones that needed attention. The first thing the now departed Waldorf admissions person said to us about public school "They don't know how to deal with our boys...They have a ton of energy and they are asking them to sit still before their bodies are ready to." We too felt that public schools put a ton of pressure on children before they are ready. We have since been at the school for several years. There was some getting use to when it comes to the Waldorf curriculum because it is different from what we have experienced before. Because of the style of teaching, we had some concerns about how that would translate with children at other schools in the same grade. I am proud to say that he has never struggled to keep up with any of the standard learning assignments we provided him over the summer breaks. My child is a much more well rounded, thoughtful, and worldly little person because that is the kind of children Waldorf creates. I can not stress how nice it is to have a teacher that cares for him similarly to how I do, who is always accessible, and contacts us before there are any issues/concerns. If you are looking for a new school or are unhappy with the child's current experience, you should definitely schedule a visit. read more

If you truly want an unbiased review of Ruldoph Steiner schools, read the the website Waldorfcritics.org. This website was unavailable when we enrolled our child in 2006. The teacher hired to teach her class was uncertified and had previously taught preschool I believe. She was seriously unsupported and overwhelmed. She could not control the class and never received the mentoring that she was promised. If your child is bright, please look for another school. His/her academic needs will not be met and when he/she matriculates out he/she will be at an academic disadvantage with his/her peers. This school does not teach any modern teaching methods. Reading is not taught until 2nd grade and an ancient 19th century book is used to teach reading. Math is taught so infrequently in lower grades (once or twice a week in lower grades) that critical math concepts are really not learned and will hender the child's advancement in math. The school will say that math is intergrated in lessons daily, but it is really insuficient for the children to grasp and learn math concepts that way. If you are considering this school at all. Please go with open eyes. Read waldorfcritics.org. Do not believe that the school prepares these kids for metriculation outside of Waldorf schools unless you are wiling to do a lot of outside tutoring to catch them up. The education your child will receive from Waldorf will be so inferior that even the worst public school will provide a better education. The only difference is that your kid will probably be able to knit a scarf and say a few words in german and russian. Other than that, the public school education will be superior. read more

One of the most painful experiences of our lives. Not only did RWS fail to serve our children it actually hurt them. After deciding we were done and having them tested they are a full 2 and 3 years behind grade level. Confidential information was not kept confidential. There no respect. If you don't believe me look how small the class sizes are. This is not RWS choice. There has been a mass exodus the past 2 years. I know of 15 families.. just in a few classes that have left the past 2 years. Please research. Please. read more

This is a pre-k throughly 8th grade school with an integrative curriculum. All students study two languages, a musical instrument, drawing, and dance in addition to math, science, language arts, and social studies. read more

Went to this school from kindergarten to 8th grade. I think I turned out fine. Amazing teachers and students.

The most popular courses at Harvard and Yale are taught by proffesors schooled in positive psychology about the subject of happiness. As a society, we seek to learn about and understand the world around us and ultimately seek to find what makes us happy. I can't think of a better environment to build that foundation than in a Waldorf School. I read an article recently by a neuropsychologist and Waldorf parent about how the education fits with the way our brain works. Everything is thought out including the rythm of the day, how and when things are taught, and when the students need to run outside to give their brains a break from the classroom. We have two daughters in the Early Childhood program and they love to learn. They sing songs in Russian and Spanish, make up wonderful stories, listen to us (usually), respect us, appreciate life and can spend an entire day in a museum. It takes a village to raise a child in our crazy and chaotic world, and we have found our village! read more

I got yet another email requesting to take down my review. It is up so people know. Also, I don't know if I mentioned this before if your child has ADHD they won't accept your child because he doesn't fit into the flow. Also he was given criticism on his first day for his coordination too. My son isn't coordinated but it also was his first try! Furthermore I refuse to take this post down because of the horrible experience we had there. Also it may be accredited for Waldorf but the teachers approach isn't string enough to prepare your child for middle school at all. Your child will need intensive tutoring so if handcrafts and music is more important then your child failing at the next school go for it. I suggest that you find a school more like the nature school not much further down that has a lot of the same elements with a stronger sense of today's academic standards. Waldorf is great when applied as a way of teaching for a 2015 standard but not when it's literally teaching your child the exact way from a century ago and leaving your child further from today's needs. Face it technology is huge and this school offers none. Your child will have arts but no idea how to do what the other children are doing like coding websites! You are leaving your child in a yester world I believe in arts!!! I just think you should prepare your child with as many tools as possible so they are able to choose their own path when they grow up and not be lacking the skillset to compete for jobs of students when graduating other schools. Don't hinder your child let them grow. They won't grow far here. And to Waldorf I understand this isn't a good review however our experience was terrible. So please stop messaging me to remove it I want other parents to know the other side of the coin not just your way is the best way because it isn't. I apologize if this is upsetting to your yelp score but it's a genuine review I completely disapprove of the school and how it is ran and the education provided. Thank you! read more

1) Teacher certification from Waldorf colleges are not based on current knowledge of childhood education but rather Rudolf Steiner's made up philosophy of anthroposophy and his teachings. Rudolf Steiner was never married, never had children, did not have a degree in education or psychology. 2) Absolutely no modern education methods are used. The Waldorf colleges train teachers to use Rudolf Steiner's education methods. Rudolf Steiner lived from 1861-1925 and nothing learned in the past 87 years in childhood education are used. Modern workbooks are not used. The student created "workbooks" are simply the students copying down word for word what the teacher writes on the blackboard for main lesson which in lower school is either a legend, bible story or fantasy. 3) As far as RWS children returning to public schools... unless the parents homeschool them, they are far behind their peers in public schools. I spoke to the admissions director of the Orchard House School about Waldorf kids. Orchard House is a private girls middle school that is talked about as a middle school at RWS. The director told me herself that Waldorf girls must be CAUGHT UP!! I don't know about you, but I expect my child's school to prepare her for the next grade or the next school. I took my daughter to Montissori and the initial testing was that she was 2 grades behind!! She was at grade level when she came to RWS in 2nd grade in math and above grade level in reading. A year and a half at RWS and Montissori said she was 2 GRADES BEHIND!!! Another child in her class that left after 3rd grade, after attending kindergarten thru 3rd grade at Waldorf was unable to read and spent half of 4th grade in remedial classes trying to get caught up. 4) Waldorf schools also try to tell you how to raise your child and run your household. They are staunchly against technology (but the teachers drive cars to school). They want you to get rid of your TV, computer and cd collection. The children cannot wear light up shoes, clothes with cartoons or popular culture. Also, black is strongly frowned on. Can't wear it nor can the children color with it. Seriously, no black crayons!!! The lovely water color paintings you see on the walls, aren't as lovely as you think when you find out that the teacher requires the children to paint the very same picture, the very same way. It's not so much as a technique lesson in painting as a Rudolf Steiner pedagogic anthroposophic thing. Speaking of Rudolf Steiner... blond haired children are favored by Steiner anthros over dark haired kids and white kids over non-white kids. This is totally out right true, even though the school will probably vehemently deny it. A little digging on Steiner, anthroposophy and race will reveal the truth. 5. Finally... in selecting a school for your child, look for a school that is accredited by other bodies than themselves, make sure the teachers attended universities or colleges that are accredited by other bodies than themselves and have state certification. If there is no headmaster or principal...look for another school. The teachers are in charge at Waldorf schools and if the parents have any problems or concerns, they are generally ignored. 6. Waldorf is not a cheap school, the tuition is in line with other extremely excellent private schools like St. Michael's Episicopal, however the education that your child will receive at Waldorf will be worse than the worst public school. If you have $10k to spend on a private education, please look somewhere else. The academic and psychological harm is simply not worth the pretty pastel walls, or all the beeswax or knit crafts in the world. read more

we left after my sons 4th grade year, when a classmate told me he was given knitting to do during main lesson with one other classmate. When I asked why my son didn't tell me, he told me he was embarrassed. He felt his teacher thought he was "too stupid to bother with." He was reading at a low second grade level. A year of homeschooling and 2 months in public schools, he at grade level and has the highest fluency in his class. Guess he wasn't too dumb to bother with after all. read more

The first thing I encountered when I went to check out the school was a middle school-aged boy holding the door for me and for the children behind me. There were no adults around to prompt him to do this, and his fellow classmates thanked him, also unprompted. This school is a community, and this is reflected in the kindness of the children and in the groups of parents who talk and laugh and greet each other in the parking lot before and after school. Waldorf education focuses on educating the whole child, and that means that emotional and social development is valued as highly as academic achievement. My husband and I have a background in public school teaching, and we chose to send our daughter to a school that does not sacrifice depth of knowledge and understanding for breadth or speed. She is not drilled with spelling tests or given packets of worksheets to take home that would undoubtedly turn her off to learning. Literacy and mathematics are taught slowly and through story, art and song in an interdisciplinary manner. Students are not just regurgitating; they are engaging deeply with concepts that build logically through the grades. In first grade, the children are knitting, learning 3 languages, reciting long verses and song from memory, performing in front of large groups, playing outside in rain or shine, and all of these activities are preparing their minds and bodies for the academic work they will be really owning and living, not just rushing through in a disconnected manner. Waldorf education is not for everyone. Many parents may find the pacing too slow and may not be comfortable with delaying traditional academic work. When I feel anxious about this, I just look to the 8th grade class and the amazing, smart and academically advanced young people they are. Not only are they doing (and understanding) algebra and reading (and performing) Shakespeare before entering high school, at the end of the school year, they display their work, and my first time seeing this display, my jaw dropped as I perused the painting, sewing, knitting, woodwork etc...that these very young people had produced. Our society has become very disconnected from the products we buy and use, and these children are reconnecting with what makes them human by learning to create real, beautiful things with their hands. There is no research to suggest that early academic work equates to better learning (in fact, the research proves the opposite-- that readiness for work is as important as exposure to the work). Waldorf education allows the children to come to their learning naturally so that the spark of curiosity stays lit. Some parents take issue with Rudolph Steiner's work, and I must admit that I had hesitation about choosing Waldorf; I had read his seminal work and found much of it to be a bit "out there." Likewise, I was concerned that the focus on very classic, Western curriculum would serve to perpetuate an ethnocentric view of the world. And although we limit media in our home for our own reasons, I didn't want to be told that we couldn't have a TV in our home or that my daughter couldn't listen to stories on her CD player. Ultimately, I have been very pleased with the way RWS adapts Steiner's philosophy to modern times. I was never asked, at any step in the admission process, about the technology in our home, and while the school explains the rationale for limiting children's exposure to media and technology, it is never imposed upon any child or family. Likewise, the teachers at the school find creative and inspiring ways to adapt Steiner's theory into challenging and beautiful curriculum that does incorporate the contributions of people from around the world. Waldorf education is the antidote to the type of mainstream education that has abandoned the arts, foreign language, outside play and imaginative exploration in its quest for higher test scores. It attracts families who are concerned about the way our society demands too much of our children too early and the way it influences their imagination and sense of self with images, characters and plot lines that are adult-created. If there are problems or issues that arise, or concerns that parents have, they are encouraged to voice them to the school community. read more

My oldest child started kindergarten at Richmond Waldorf School when she was 3.5. She is now 11 and in 5th grade. In fact, all three of our children are now attending and I can honestly say we've had nothing but a wonderful experience at the school. We initially chose Waldorf because when we came for our first visit in 2004, it just felt right. We were immediately drawn to the lovely warm classrooms and the Kindergarten teachers. Now, after having been at the school for so many years and researching a lot about education, we have also come to appreciate and value Waldorf's educational philosophy. Waldorf teaches children at a pace that is developmentally appropriate and through the means of hands on experiential learning rather than rote memorization found in many schools today. The Waldorf early childhood program does not focus on teaching young children academics using worksheets or other such instructional methods, but rather through imitation, storytelling, music, art and creative free play. My 3 year old can do basic math with the numbers 1 - 10 just by what she has learned in their daily circle. Children in kindergarten participate in basic life skills such as setting the table at snack time, baking and snack preparation, and cleaning up. They also engage in a variety of art mediums such as water colors, sewing, felting, beeswax modeling and finger knitting. Most importantly they are allowed ample time for free play indoors and out no matter the weather. This is how I remember my Kindergarten years. One of the most unique aspects of a Waldorf program are its teachers. The teachers at RWS are loving, gentle and multi-talented. They are with the children for so long that they develop a deep understanding of each individual child to the point that I find myself in awe of how well they know and interact with them. I am so grateful to have such an amazing faculty to care for and teach my children every day. As for the grades program, I have been thoroughly impressed with the experience my older two children have had. I have a 1st grader who is learning reading and comprehension skills, the four processes of math, Russian and Spanish, playing a recorder and knitting (and that is just to name a few.) Yes, both boys and girls learn to knit! If you've read about the benefits of that craft, you'd know that the latest research has shown it to improve brain development at all ages. My 5th grader is also excelling in her academics and always has. She has friends outside of Waldorf via her extracurricular activities so we know many other children in her age group that attend other schools. I can attest to the fact that she is not lacking or behind her peers in any noticeable ways. Some say that Waldorf children do not transition to other schools easily because Waldorf does not keep up with public school's standards of learning. I chose Waldorf to avoid the SOLs. Besides, I believe that my children are learning the same basic academics (math, reading, and writing) that children in their same grade levels are learning at other schools. In addition to those things, they are getting so much more. They are learning to learn and enjoying it all the while. For my kids, acquiring the tools to learn is far more important than what they actually learn. In other words, knowledge can be attained at any time when one has the skills to acquire it. It is worth noting that children who have come to Waldorf from other schools may have been ahead in some things, but they were far behind in others. This makes sense because it is unrealistic to expect that all schools are going to teach the same exact things. Different schools place emphasis on different subjects. My children are learning to think outside the box because they are at a school that stimulates their curiosity and creativity. In an increasingly competitive and global world that skill is going to be very important. As an Information Technology professional, I understand the value of modern technology. I have been working with computers for a long time (well before the internet) and have seen it grow at an exponential rate. Today, thanks to advanced software tools, those learning IT skills do not even need to know how to actually write code in order to create an application. Personally, I value the fact that I had to learn discrete math, symbolic logic and basic programming in order to create something on a computer. That background knowledge provides a deeper understanding of how such things work and that deeper understanding is what I want for my children. An education that is without computers and other technology allows children to use their minds to truly know and comprehend what they are learning. Mental math is done without a calculator or a computer which in turn only strengthens their brain power. When the time comes, technology will be a tool rather than a crutch and there is a lot of value in that. read more

I myself went to a Waldorf School and now my 4 year old daughter attends Richmond Waldorf. This educational approach bears more on the child's creativity, spirituality, and critical problem solving. The emphasis is not on SOL's and testing,testing, testing... The SOL's and public school methods of teaching are not practical. When was the last time you used a quadratic equation or trigonometry in the workplace? But guess what! By the time I was in fourth grade I could knit, sew, maintain my own garden from seed, play the violin, recorder, and ukulele, speak German and Spanish... Take it back to basics and ask yourself what really matters...... The SAT's alone limited the colleges I could get into. ONE TEST??? What a sham!?!? Now Im a successful business owner and real estate developer..... Thanks SAT's for confusing me in my early adult life... I'm a huge proponent of Waldorf's approach and nurturing children rather than programming drones. read more

Our daughter has attended Richmond Waldorf School for the past 2 years. We looked at Richmond Montessori School and Sabot At Stony Point before deciding on RWS. The school is absolutely phenomenal in every way. There is a sincere passion that each faculty member shares in making sure that our daughter has the best experience possible. She is intellectually blooming in ways we never conceived. She loves going to school. Take a tour for yourself. read more

Here's why I love and appreciate this school: Waldorf Education does not follow the same exact testing standards seen in conventional education. Waldorf is based on natural stages of human development - what's appropriate for the child and when. Yes, a 5-year-old child can sit at a desk and learn to read, but is this really benefiting them? Shouldn't their focus be on movement, play, teamwork, coordination, their moral compass, curiosity? This school focuses on the individual, not what a government test deems worthy. A parent may choose to leave if their child is not meeting conventional test standards at the exact time the test says they should - this choice is completely up to the parent. This choice does not make Waldorf Education wrong or bad, it is simply a different path. I want more for my daughter, I want her to be resilient, curious, and capable of tackling anything she dreams to do - carve her own path, not follow in line with the pack. I feel this is what RWS aims to achieve. My daughter, in her 3rd year here, is thriving. My daughter began with the 3-day kindergarten at age 3. I've never met a more caring, knowledgeable, loving group of teachers. The days are very rhythmic, the snacks served are nutritious and mindful of allergies, and the songs and activities learned are meaningful and relate to each season. Here, my daughter shines for who she is, is developing her personality and skills at a rate appropriate for her, and is gently guided on those skills that need more work in order to develop her inner confidence. Lastly, the community of parents is outstanding. There are many opportunities for us parents to volunteer with the school and be involved in our child's education. Since the school is small, we can work together to make it our own, support each other, make things happen. So grateful to be a part of it all. read more

I cannot imagine a better place to start off an education. Both our daughters have attended Richmond Waldorf and we couldn't be happier with the whole experience. So much love and nurture, teachers who truly care about each child and celebrate each unique spirit in a way that allows confidence to flourish and creativity to flow. The parent community is awesome, the staff has to the best anywhere, but the most incredible part of this school is the kids. It is truly inspiring to witness what a child is capable of when allowed to develop in this kind of environment. read more

I know you are thrilled your kid got accepted. They have some learning issues and no other private school would take them. You are super happy because you feel RWS is inclusive. That is until you find out your child was given knitting or plain excluded from main lesson, humiliated in front of their peers and wasted time and money (to the tune of 11K) to learn knitting. Read the reviews. Parents are angry and leaving the school en mass for a reason. Check it out. read more

I have enrolled my daughter in the Waldorf sprouts program for the past 4 sessions. This is the parent/toddler program. She is now 2.5 years old. I have been so impressed and inspired with the Waldorf philosophy and environment. To truly appreciate this school, your principles have to be aligned with their core principles such as teaching through play and music, importance of outside activities, limit setting, establishing rhythms, cultivating independence and creativity, and ultimately letting your kids just be kids. My daughter has truly enjoyed the experience and looks forward to Waldorf school every week! We have attended several plays, programs, and parent/informational sessions. As a parent, the school has inspired me to look at my child's development with open eyes and focus on letting my daughter cultivate her own learning style and curve based on her personality and desires. It is also a wonderful community and not just a "school." But for it to work for your family, the Waldorf principles and values must align with your family's principles and values. read more

A feature news article a year or so ago told of Silicon Valley tech worker-types sending their kids to a Waldorf school, emphasis being on the holistic, hands-on learning environment. One parent was asked about potential concern around developing computer skills. The parent replied that part of his industry's work is to make devices evermore user-friendly; it's ongoing. He said his kids can pick that kind of thing up in a minute. We've found that to be true with our Richmond Waldorf graduate (8th grade). We kept him off personal screens until his teen years and did not give him a phone until high school (where he is excelling academically), when we also purchased the family's newest laptop. Within a month he was the computer and device expert of the household. In related news, RWS has included a code-writing block in the spring semester of 8th grade for the past 2 years. As you can note elsewhere on this page, there are families for whom the school is not a match. My family has for a dozen years appreciated the dedication to the development of the child and the strong sense of community and commitment therein. read more

My family has been attending RWS for the past four years beginning as kindergarteners moving up into the grades. We have been nothing but pleased with their progress academically as well as spiritually. Waldorf education focuses on creating confident, compassionate students who love learning & look forward to new challenges. You are told to trust the process, which is perhaps different from how you were educated & may be hard to do at first, but my children are happy & thriving & are right where they should be academically. When my children tell me about their day at school I'm amazed at how full their day has been. Main lesson where they learn the alphabet through stories, song, painting & writing, Russian & Spanish classes, how to tell time by recreating ancient methods of time keeping, reading, violin, agriculture, chemistry throughcooking, math through knitting...every day is unique & amazing. If you are looking to get away from learning through memorization & testing only & want to have a school that wants to push your child to be well rounded, confident & excited about learning, RWS is where you need to be read more

After visiting Montessori and Waldorf, we enrolled our son. We now have our 3, 5 and 7 year olds attending and it was the best decision we ever made! The kids love going to school! They heard French lullabies in preschool and now in the grades my son is learning Russian and Spanish. The children learn in a fun way and actually grasp the concepts and develop a love to learn. My son also has sensory issues, and the staff have always been very helpful and really look for the greatest good for each individual child. Not only is the curriculum excellent, but some of the outdoor play included bicycle lessons, safety and a field trip to see the Worlds in our own backyard, not to mention walks to Maymont, "work" at the Botanical Gardens and other community service. After three years, I cannot wait to see my children doing what I see the older kids doing! And the alumni seem to be doing well in top schools, a product of a Waldorf education! Thanks to all the teachers and staff! We love you, and so do our children! read more