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Holistic Framework for Growth: The Waldorf curriculum serves as a foundation for balanced social and intellectual development, fostering the growth of the whole child.
Ongoing Support: The grades classroom teachers move up with their classes from first to eighth grade, creating deep connections between instructors and students.
Outdoor Educatoin: Regular caring for our Marisol Garden, weeklong camping adventures, and playing daily under the redwood trees gracing our campus nurture students' connection to the rhythms of the natural world and encourages ecological mindfulness.
Music: All students participate in music classes, and can choose to join the school orchestra in upper grades.
Meaningful Work: Children engage in purposeful activities both indoors and outdoors, including hands-on experiences in the garden as well as instruction in knitting, sewing, cooking, and woodwork.
Joy in Work: Students are taught to value the intrinsic joy of work and contribution to a community-building a sense of pride, purpose, and connection to others through in-school daily chores and responsibilities.
Physical and Emotional Connection: Activities promote the strength of the body, a deep connection to the earth, and a sense of unity with one another.
Social and Environmental Responsibility: Our school culture mirrors the progressive and culturally diverse spirit of Santa Cruz, emphasizing community care and sustainability.
Experiential Learning: Education is grounded in meaningful, real-world experiences that cultivate practical skills and lifelong learning.
Harmony withNature: Daily activities integrate care for the environment, fostering respect and stewardship of natural resources.
Celebration of Community and Diversity: Cultural respect and a spirit of inclusivity are woven into the school's rich community festivals, reflecting the vibrant character of Santa Cruz.
Love of Learning: Students are encouraged to approach education with curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Upper Grade Extensions: Our middle schoolers challenge themselves with a self-directed capstone project, elective courses, and math speciality courses.
Math Nook - Math Games and Homework Help on Wednesdays
Arts and Music Programs:
Electives -- Upper GradesOrchestra
School Notes
A Waldorf education is founded on the principle that a
teacher's primary goal is to support the unfolding of each child's
unique individual potential. By deeply understanding and addressing
the developmental needs of children at every stage, Waldorf
education seeks to nurture the special gifts each child brings to
the world.
A distinctive feature of Santa Cruz Waldorf School's grade
school is the role of the class teacher. Ideally, the class teacher
remains with the same group of students from first through eighth
grade. This continuity allows the teacher to grow alongside the
students, fostering a profound understanding of each child's
journey. This approach cultivates a strong bond of trust and
collaboration among students, parents, and the teacher, creating a
cohesive and supportive learning community.
Santa Cruz Waldorf School celebrates our connections to the
rhythm of the seasons and to the natural world. Students help pick
the apples from the trees of Marisol garden in fall and plant seeds
in spring. They hike, rain or shine, with their teachers through
the neighboring redwoods. While learning on campus or looking down
from the great climbing tree on the playground, they often get to
stop and marvel while the deer or wild turkeys walk by. This
connection with the environment cultivates a sense of stewardship
for the earth while they also find joy and inspiration with nature
as part of their classroom.
Santa Cruz Waldorf School has ongoing tour dates and rolling
enrollment. We hope you'll join us.
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