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Alabama Waldorf School is committed to providing a rich and balanced educational experience which actively engages the child, not just in his/her intellectual life, but in their moral and practical life, as well.
Waldorf education is grounded in strong academics, enlivened by the arts, and made concrete by practical experience.
Our faculty draws on the student's innate sense of wonder to nurture an eagerness to learn, and each teacher honors the individuality of each student under the umbrella of the developmentally-appropriate Waldorf curriculum.
$6,000 is an average; tuition in full-day programs ranges from $4,400 - $8600 depending on the program (5-day Nursery = $4,400; grade 8=$8,600). Partial programs in Preschool is prorated based on number of days enrolled. Tuition Adjustment is available a
The AWS Preschool is a program that emphasizes the
developmentally-appropriate ideal of play as work for the child
under seven years of age. The rich language of the stories told in
the classroom, the seasonally-relevant poems and songs that compose
the daily morning circle, and the artistic and practical activities
modeled by the teachers all lay a firm foundation for the academic
expectations of the Waldorf Grades program.
In the Nursery (serving children ages 18
months to 3 years), the child's imagination is encouraged during
outdoor and indoor playtime. Using simple, unformed toys, pieces of
smooth wood become fruit or cars; colored silks become capes or
blankets or parachutes; chairs and baskets become houses. To become
fully engaged in such play builds the child's capacities for later
problem solving, critical thinking, and concentration. Nursery
teacher:child ratio is 1:8.
Kindergartners (ages 3 to 6) spend
progressively longer periods of time engaged in active learning
through stories and songs during the morning circle time. Listening
and participating in storytelling lengthens their attention spans,
develops phonological awareness, and strengthens their capacity to
create those inner pictures essential for successful reading
comprehension in the grades. Watercolor painting, beeswax modeling,
felting, and simple sewing enhance their fine motor skills and
hand-eye coordination. The daily schedule, or rhythm, is carefully
planned to provide not only a healthy balance of concentrated and
free activities, but also for a sense of security in the young
child. Teacher:child ratio is 1:11 in the Kindergarten.
In the elementary and middle school, the
developmentally-appropriate, multi-sensory presentation of each
subject engages the student in the learning process. During the
two-and-a-half hour Main Lesson, active learning is balanced with
desk work, allowing for a healthy and joyful classroom environment
of lively and eager learners. Core academic subjects such as
Language Arts, History, and Mathematics are enlivened with artistic
activities, and presented in such a manner as to reach all types of
learners. Science is emphasized throughout the grades as a subject
that should be both experienced and studied through careful
observation.Teacher:student ratio is 1:18 but hovers around
an average of 1:12.
In addition to the core academics, the Waldorf grades
curriculum includes two foreign languages, vocal and
instrumental music, Movement Education, and Handwork.
Taught by native speakers, the Russian and
Spanish languages are taught immersion-style
beginning in first grade. This type of experiential learning
promotes a global perspective on different cultures and
traditions.
Movement Education emphasizes cooperation in
games, and balance and coordination in activities like jump rope
and circus skills. In grade five, to accompany the history
curriculum, the students participate in a regional pentathlon event
with students from other Waldorf Schools in the Southeast.
Handwork moves from simple finger knitting in
first grade to crocheting and sewing in the middle grades, to
building furniture in grade 8.
Environmental awareness begins as early as
nursery school with tasks as simple as dying fabric with flowers,
and evolves in the grades with observations on local geography, and
the cultivation of a sustainable school garden which yields fruits,
flowers, vegetables and grains in varying seasons.
Grades: NS-8 | 182 students10.6 miles 6 Abbott Square Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 437-9343
10.6
NS-8
182
School Reviews
59/10/2019
We are new to the school this year. We have one child enrolled in the nursery and one in kindergarten. So far, we have been very pleased and honestly surprised at the level of kindness our children are shown every day. After 2 1/2 months of attending this school, they are both adjusting well and really like it. It has also challenged us at home to spend less time with screens and more time outside. Honestly, I almost wish I could find a good excuse to stop attending here so I could save on the monthly tuition bill, but I can't seem to find a good reason!
- Posted by Parent - Dad
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