Potomac Crescent Waldorf School

My son has been at Potomac Crescent for three years in the Early Childhood program. We were looking for a nurturing, caring environment that would offer an easy transition for him into school and could not be happier with his experience. The teachers go above and beyond to work with each individual child and their particular temperament to help them thrive. I've been amazed at his social-emotional as well as physical growth at PCWS which I attribute to the beautiful rhythm of the school week that incorporates art, storytelling, singing and movement, alongside play and plenty of time in nature -- including two days of the week entirely outdoors. We have also felt welcomed by the active Parent Association and love getting to know the other families in the Waldorf community.

We didn't know what to expect when we first joined PCWS, especially since we weren't familiar with the Waldorf curriculum. We were looking for a private school in Alexandria that offered a screen-free environment, and PCWS stood out-especially during COVID, when classes were held outdoors.Over the years, we've come to appreciate the school's unique approach. The Waldorf curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, with plenty of time spent in nature. Children are introduced to concepts when they're developmentally ready, and teachers use storytelling and play to make subjects like reading and math engaging. Dedicated Spanish and Mandarin teachers enrich the program further.The school is academically rigorous, but avoids teaching to standardized tests or arbitrary metrics. Instead, teachers get to know each child well and support their individual learning pace. The rotation system, where teachers move up with their students through the grades, helps build strong relationships and deeper understanding.The community is welcoming and filled with like-minded, screen-free-focused families. We've gotten to know some alumni families and they consistently report that their children leave PCWS confident, with longer attention spans and a love of learning. We're grateful to be part of this school and highly recommend it to families seeking a nurturing, developmentally mindful, and screen-free environment. The parent community is largely a mix of professionals reflective of the local area (lawyers, local business owners, federal employees, military, etc.).

We feel so lucky to have found Potomac Crescent Waldorf School in Alexandria, Virginia. As a military family moving from abroad, we wanted a school that would ease our son's transition and match the play- and nature-based learning he was used to. We weren't entirely sure what to expect from a Waldorf school, but what we found exceeded our hopes. From day one, our son has thrived—he especially loves the forest days spent entirely outside. We've watched him grow from a cautious five-year-old into a confident, joyful six-year-old who truly looks forward to school. The teachers are incredibly nurturing and deeply committed to the children's development. We're excited to enroll him in first grade this fall and to continue as part of the Potomac Crescent community. While we'd love to see more flexibility for dual-working parents as the school grows, we couldn't be more grateful for the experience so far. It's a place that nurtures the whole child—body, mind, and spirit!

My son attended PCWS in Alexandria from K-5 (2019-2025), and it's been a wonderful experience for the whole family. Small classes and an extraordinarily nurturing culture and faculty team were essential to my son's learning, friendships, and his enjoyment of school. The Waldorf approach, which is screen-free and includes a strong emphasis on creativity, movement, and outdoor play, naturally accommodates some differences in learning styles and social-emotional development. Teachers often stay together with student cohorts as they progress through the grades, which really helps in building on a child's strengths and addressing his or her challenges.

PCWS is a nurturing and inspiring educational environment. With a focus on holistic development-intellectual, emotional, and physical-the school provides a refreshing alternative to conventional education, particularly for families seeking a developmentally appropriate, arts-integrated approach to early childhood and elementary learning. Potomac Crescent follows the internationally recognized Waldorf model, emphasizing experiential learning, creativity, and rhythm. Core academic subjects are introduced in imaginative and meaningful ways, helping children truly connect with what they are learning. From form drawing and storytelling to nature studies and handwork, students are encouraged to learn through doing-not just memorizing. While the academic rigor might appear gentler than more traditional settings, students often develop strong critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning. The faculty at Potomac Crescent are deeply committed to the Waldorf philosophy and bring a warmth and intentionality to their teaching that's truly rare. Teachers stay with the same cohort of students for multiple years, creating continuity and deep relationships. Their training in child development and Waldorf pedagogy is evident in their thoughtful approach to discipline, curriculum, and classroom atmosphere. One of the standout features of Potomac Crescent is its close-knit, engaged community. Families are encouraged to be active participants in school life, and the sense of collaboration between staff and parents is palpable. Festivals, seasonal celebrations, and parent education nights foster a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose.

We have had both of our sons at PCWS for kindergarten and grades, and we have found the school to be a loving, imagination-rich environment, providing the right amount - a lot! - of physical activity, and an emphasis on integrated mind-body-heart learning. This school has nurtured our boys at critical moments and has given our whole family a warm community. When it was time for our eldest son, to transition from preschool to kindergarten, his PCWS teachers helped him thrive, despite challenges from his musculoskeletal impairment. He made crucial gains, thanks to the school's emphasis on outdoor time, physical learning, and caring, personalized attention. The sense of community that we shared with fellow PCWS parents and children is not just a balm, it is a source of joy. We can't say enough good things about this wonderful school.

I highly recommend the grades program at PCWS! Our child started at the school three years ago and, at the time, we didn't know much about Waldorf pedagogy. As a parent, what I've seen is that the teachers at PCWS have an extraordinary understanding of the physical, academic, and emotional needs of the students and integrate that into all aspects of learning. Things like multiplication are taught while jumping rope and building manipulatives so that math facts aren't just memorized, they are wholly understood. I can see that my child is learning perseverance, how to think creatively, make observations, ask questions, and solve problems - skills that aren't widely developed elsewhere. Even though we only have one child at the school, our whole family has enjoyed being part of the community.

This is the only pre-school in Arlington, that fully operates in the Waldorf tradition and teaches with head, heart, and hands. The teachers honor the true spirit of the children and receive them with love, not mechanical curricula. My child couldn't be more loved and cared for in any school in Northern Virginia. He is safe and growing, and we have peace of mind. What more can a parent ask for?

Potomac Crescent Waldorf School is a very special place. The early childhood program provides the children with a true childhood, where they can explore imaginative play, help with work in the classrooms, and create beautiful art. In the grades, the teachers understand where each child is, and tailor their teaching accordingly. They integrate art, painting, stories, movement, and music into the learning so that the children learn their subjects deeply, and they develop many facets of themselves.