Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm Photo #6 - Theater is an important part of the curriculum, with students taking an increasingly active role in set design, costumes, script writing, and directing as they grow older.

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm

Artistically educating the whole child. Inspiring gratitude and reverence for humanity, nature, and lifelong learning. An education at Swallowtail includes rigorous academics, exceptional art, music, and foreign language. Swallowtail prepares students for success in future academic and social endeavors by intentionally strengthening character traits of confidence, curiosity, perseverance, kindness, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.
Swallowtail also has a 26-acre farm campus, which is part of the curriculum at all ages. At the farm, students engage in sustainable agriculture and learn about native habitats. Activities supplement the classroom curriculum, particularly animal science, physics, chemistry, and botany.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked OR School
  • School Type: Waldorf School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 158 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $16,150
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1995

Student Body

Total Students
158 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
2%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
45%
Average Class Size
15 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Income-Based Tuition Assistance Available
% on Financial Aid
50%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,000
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Janis La Crosse

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
2 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Handwork

School Notes

  • We offer a robust Waldorf Education at our 6-acre main campus and we utilize our 26-acre farm campus to enhance our Waldorf curriculum.
  • We have a strong focus on environmental education and time spent outdoors.
  • Our main classroom academics are supplemented with subject areas of Spanish, handwork, movement, music, environmental stewardship, and middle school math.
  • The Waldorf approach to education nurtures the child's whole being. It is experiential education that allows students to cultivate their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities. They enter adulthood with confidence, a strong sense of self, and a desire to be of service to the world.
  • The arts are incorporated into all academic disciplines, to enhance and deepen learning. Swallowtail students learn to paint, draw, sculpt, weave, sew, knit, and much more.
  • Music is brought to students of all ages, and includes various instruments, choir singing, sight reading, and introductory music theory.
  • At Swallowtail we have a strong focus on the development of character and community. Families celebrate together at events and festivals throughout the year and share their talents to support the mission of the school.
  • Our preK-8th Grade curricula ensure readiness for high school academic excellence while also teaching what can't be taught in textbooks or measured on standardized tests - things like perseverance, cooperation, kindness, confidence, accountability, and creativity.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm cost?
Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm's tuition is approximately $16,150 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm?
The acceptance rate of Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 89%. Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Oregon with low acceptance rates.
What is Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm's ranking?
Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for: Lowest average acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm?
The application deadline for Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (6 reviews)
5  
Swallowtail Waldorf School in Cornelius is an excellent school and community. I highly recommend this school. My child has attended Swallowtail for the past 5 years and has LOVED every minute of it! Her teachers have been highly skilled in all areas, including material, approach, and classroom management. They also teach with so much heart. My child expresses deep care and love for them constantly. The community has been very warm and inspiring for the parents as well. The education they provide is very well rounded, including outdoor time, handwork, Spanish, singing, artwork, and the standard subjects. I love that they include so much outdoor time and time at their farm campus as well. The lives of our whole family have been deeply enriched by our child attending this school. highly recommended!
- Posted by
5  
Swallowtail is a wonderful school! Instead of spending the day walking from class to class with 4-minute transitions and 30-minute break/lunch, students spend their day in a much more relaxed environment with 30-minute outdoor recess (plus another recess, plus lunch), non-Common Core instruction that leaves plenty of time to enjoy Music, Dance, Art as well as unstructured interactions with peers. Teachers and administration create a stress-free, welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that helped my daughter quickly bounce back to her normal self after a very bad experience at her previous school. We highly recommend this school!
- Posted by
5  
Like so many parents, we were excited and nervous when our daughter started first grade at our local public school. But we also became concerned and disheartened at the unnecessary bureaucratic nature of school culture that influenced the class. We wanted more a place of warmth, play, learning through wonder, and a like-minded community. No question- we found that at Swallowtail School! That was ten years ago and our daughter moved through the grades and middle school to arrive at our local public high school well-adjusted, comfortable in her own skin, academically successful, and a genuinely well-rounded person. Her younger sister is still at Swallowtail and enjoys the middle school, which provides art, music, movement, practical science (they actually get to do stuff, to include time at the 30-acre farm), Spanish language, handwork, theater, a lot of the usual reading/writing/`rithmatic coupled with PLAY! If you are looking for something different for your child, an environment that cultivates learning while addressing the whole child then do check out this amazing school!
- Posted by
5  
The main thing I really like about this school is how much the teachers truly care about the students and the teaching that they are doing. They are really invested in it, and it`s apparent they are working from the heart, caring truly about each child`s wellbeing. I would say this goes for the office staff as well, they care about all the children and parents that they are involved with. I have noticed improvements in my sons behavior and social growth since being at this school.
- Posted by
5  
The teachers are inspiring and engaging, students love to learn at Swallowtail School! My son loves having art, music and foreign language integrated across all subject; this helps him stay focused and interested in his learning. He looks forward to school each day!
- Posted by
5  
Swallowtail has been a wonderful experience for my family. The teaching style is hands on. The teachers really care about the kids and spend a lot of time getting to know and connect with them. Children learn by doing, experiencing and creating. There is music and Spanish and even handwork! The school is small, cozy and welcoming. They were wonderful about working with us on financing. They want to make this school accessible and that has truly been my experience.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked OR School
  • School Type: Waldorf School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 158 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $16,150
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Washington County, OR is $10,541 for elementary schools and $18,020 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Washington County, OR is 88% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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