Whidbey Island Waldorf School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked WA School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 130 students
Yearly Tuition: $15,400
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Whidbey Island Waldorf School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for:

School Facts

School Type

School with Special Program Emphasis

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Association of Waldorf Schools of North America

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Whidbey Island Waldorf School
Pre-K	9
Kind	37
1	9
2	21
3	11
4	12
5	13
6	3
7	7
8	8

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Year Founded

1985

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

106 acres

Student Body

Total Students

130 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

State avg.: 32%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

27 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

85%

Average Class Size

15 students

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$15,400

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

WIWS offers Tuition Assistance to families from PreK - Grade 8. Some 35% of our families receive Tuition Assistance. See our website under Admissions and Tuition for more information. Tuition varies - Early Childhood offers full days, half days, full week, part time week. Tuition reflects the varied schedule.

% on Financial Aid

35%

Admissions Director

Jackie King

Admissions Associate

Amanda O'Banion

Application URL

Online Application

School Notes

Whidbey Island Waldorf School has provided a comprehensive, whole-person, arts-integrated education on south Whidbey Island, Washington since 1985. We are blessed to be situated in the midst of a 100-acre forest preserve.
The world is changing. What today`s children need in order to thrive, both now and in the future, is based in creativity, critical-thinking, and collaboration, not memorization, testing, and competition. At Whidbey Island Waldorf School, our students learn to work with others to develop knowledge and wisdom. They learn to express themselves and their ideas clearly, confidently, and creatively. They learn who they are and how to use their strong moral character and will to positively impact the world. They learn to learn, and they love to learn.
Our early childhood, elementary and middle-school programs are designed to meet the needs of children in each phase of their development.
Our school and teachers allow for the creation of a family-like intimacy in the classroom, nurturing each child -- body, soul and spirit -- that they might bring their individual gifts into the future.
Together they journey through an artistically integrated academic program that recapitulates the social and cultural development of humankind, awakening interest in the other.
We also foster individual and social growth by working in a non-hierarchical, collaborative fashion -- Board, Parents and Faculty.
Our efforts create a healthy social life in the school, which is reflected in the activities of the children who bring to the greater community love through human service, beauty through artistic expression and inspiration to light our path into the future.

School Motto: Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able out of their own initiative to impart purpose and direction to their lives.

We the Whidbey Island Waldorf School community come together for the education of children -- hands, heart and head. Our unique island environment and the school's forested surroundings enliven the experience of learning. Our early childhood, elementary and middle-school programs are designed to meet the needs of children in each phase of their development. The school, teachers and teachings allow for the creation of a family-like intimacy in the classroom, nurturing each child -- body, soul and spirit -- that they might bring their individual gifts into the future. Together they journey through an artistically integrated academic program that recapitulates the social and cultural development of humankind, awakening interest in the other. We also foster individual and social growth by working in a non-hierarchical, collaborative fashion -- Board, Parents and Faculty. Our efforts create a healthy social life in the school, which is reflected in the activities of the children who bring to the greater community love through human service, beauty through artistic expression and inspiration to light our path into the future.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Whidbey Island Waldorf School cost?

Whidbey Island Waldorf School's tuition is approximately $15,400 for private students.

What schools are Whidbey Island Waldorf School often compared to?

Whidbey Island Waldorf School is often viewed alongside schools like Wellington Day School by visitors of our site.

Does Whidbey Island Waldorf School offer a summer program?

Yes, Whidbey Island Waldorf School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What is Whidbey Island Waldorf School's ranking?

Whidbey Island Waldorf School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.

When is the application deadline for Whidbey Island Waldorf School?

The application deadline for Whidbey Island Waldorf School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (3 reviews)

5 3/31/2022

This school is providing something rich and different for children. It feels like an international education in our backyard. We feel lucky to have this place as an opportunity for our children.

- Posted by Parent - Parent

5 8/12/2018

We love Whidbey Island Waldorf School. The setting is stunning - 100 acres of forest trust land. We have a Golden Forest Outdoor Kindergarten, and all the kids are out on the land at various times over the course of each week - from Nursery all the way up to Grade 8. Our teachers are wise, giving, able to hold so much, seeing each child for the whole person they are. The community is wonderful too - supportive and inspiring and friendly. Jonah takes all the main lessons in math, english, science, geography, history, etc., and he also takes movement/games, Spanish and handwork (painting, drawing, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, leather work, wood work, clay work, etc). Each student takes music, and each student after Grade 3/4 picks up an instrument, usually violin, viola or cello. So each child is both in the choir, and in the orchestra. Deep and enriching education! Each class puts on a play every year, and there are yearly field trips, sailing trips, archery, orienteering, service and community projects... I could on and on. The education here is truly innovative and made for where we are in history now, and who we are, and who these young people can become. I feel very lucky, and very grateful, to have our child in this school.

- Posted by Parent - Jonah's mom and dad!

5 11/9/2017

We LOVE this school! The setting is absolutely stunning. The community is warm and welcoming. The teachers are incredibly dedicated, and the staff is wonderful. We love our little school in the woods!

- Posted by Parent - Ellie's Family

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Washington is $15,588 for elementary schools and $17,619 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Washington is 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).