Sanderling Waldorf School

Our mission at Sanderling Waldorf School is to foster in each child the capacity for self-knowledge that is grounded in a lifelong love of learning.
Recognizing each individual as a unique expression of body, soul and spirit, we seek to engage the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that address the physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects of a child.
In the classroom, at special events and through seasonal festivals, our parents, teachers and staff work together to engage the minds, enliven the imaginations and strengthen the wills of our students.
By creating a close-knit community, we provide a nurturing and compassionate environment that fosters both an abiding moral purpose and an understanding that we are part of a global society with many spiritual traditions.
Ultimately, this balance of individualism and community building affords our students the opportunity to meet life's challenges with creativity and responsibility.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 129 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,700
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1996
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
129 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
10%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Sanderling Waldorf School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition for our 3-day Nursery/Kindergarten program is $10,700. 5-day is $13,500. Grade 1 is $16,500. Grades 2 - 5 is $17,000. Grades 6 - 8 is $17,350. Additional fees listed on our web site. Aftercare is available at an additional charge.
Admissions Director
Lara Wiseman

Sports

Total Sports Offered
6 sports
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sanderling Waldorf School cost?
Sanderling Waldorf School's tuition is approximately $10,700 for private students.
Does Sanderling Waldorf School offer a summer program?
Yes, Sanderling Waldorf School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Sanderling Waldorf School offer?
Sanderling Waldorf School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Archery, Basketball, Soccer, Surf Team, Track and Field and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for Sanderling Waldorf School?
The application deadline for Sanderling Waldorf School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5  
Choosing the right school can be challenging. We were grateful to find Sanderling Waldorf School. Our daughter attended Sanderling for nine years, starting in the early childhood program and graduating 8th grade last year. Our son is currently in 7th grade and has also attended since nursery/kindergarten. Although my children's learning styles are completely different from each other's, the Waldorf curriculum has proven to be an excellent fit for both. It's a long list when I think about what attracted us to and kept us at Sanderling; these are a few of the things that made it to the top - a calming daily rhythm, nourishing snack time around a beautiful table, teachers who really see each child and their unique strengths, a strong community of parents who've become some of my best friends, an integration of academics, physical activity, the arts and moral responsibility, annual festivals, a reverence for the natural world, a developmentally appropriate curriculum, parent enrichment classes, and possibly at the very top, the fact that my kids truly enjoy going to school each day. They have formed deep meaningful friendships, developed a sense of self-confidence, and exude a love of learning that I can only imagine will last their lifetime. Thankfully, in this unprecedented time of Covid, Sanderling has created outdoor classrooms and strict safety protocols that allow children to attend school in-person. This makes a huge difference for my son. I am grateful each morning when I drop him off, knowing he's in excellent hands, learning from his amazing teacher in-person and not staring at a screen all day. Plus, I get to focus my attention on my own work at home. I understand in-person might not feel comfortable for everyone right now, and I think it's important to note that Sanderling also offers a supported homeschool program. In summary, I believe Waldorf education can have a profound impact on the course of a child's life. Over the past decade, I've seen Sanderling's curriculum produce creative, resilient, innovative and strategic thinkers with a high level of emotional intelligence. Kind, generous, and intelligent human beings. Their program is something special, and I value it over traditional rote learning. If this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more I highly recommend giving the school a call and scheduling a tour. They can do a much better job of explaining the magic than I can. :) And in case you are wondering, as I did, "how do children transition after attending a Waldorf school given its non-traditional program?" I can say that I've seen children go in many different directions after Sanderling (Waldorf high schools, other private schools, charters, public schools, etc.) and each has their own story. My general observation is that just like every other young adult finding their way through life they figure it out. And that the foundational skills they've learned at Waldorf give them an incredibly strong backbone to do so.
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 129 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,700
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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The average private school tuition in San Diego County, CA is $13,796 for elementary schools and $21,356 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in San Diego County, CA is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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