Social Renewal
"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility - these three forces are the very nerve of education." - Rudolf Steiner
In our work, we strive to bring living, heartfelt thinking to the questions we face in today’s society. This is an ongoing, dynamic process of renewal.
Rudolf Steiner founded the first Waldorf school as an initiative for social renewal, rooted in a worldview that recognizes the spiritual nature of the human being. Waldorf education prepares students to experience their lives as purposeful and meaningful, fostering a deep capacity to contribute to the well-being of humanity.
Our Shared Values
SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
We recognize the free and universal spirit living in every human being. As students of anthroposophy, we hold a responsibility to bring healing and renewal to the social forms of our world, working toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the broader context of human evolution.
WALDORF EDUCATION
We honor the sanctity of childhood and meet each child in a developmentally appropriate way. Grounded in anthroposophy, Waldorf education serves the spiritual ideal of uniting all people while honoring the individuality of each child and nurturing education toward freedom.
EMPATHY
We strive to embody empathy as we navigate differences within our community, fostering mutual respect and cooperation among all human beings.
INCLUSION
We are committed to creating an environment of belonging—one that values connection, respect, and the richness of diverse perspectives. We model and teach inclusion so every student feels seen and valued.
DIVERSITY
Our community includes people of many identities, perspectives, and experiences. We respect the dignity of all, recognizing that our differences offer opportunities for empathy, learning, and collaboration.
EQUITY
We are actively examining and transforming the societal, cultural, and institutional biases that impact our world. Our goal is to prepare students to help build a more just and equitable society.
COMMON HUMANITY
A central aim of our education is to help students experience our shared humanity and move beyond stereotypes and prejudice. Through our curriculum, we nurture open-mindedness, compassion, confidence, and resilience.
Putting it all Together
SCHOOLWIDE
From Early Childhood through 8th Grade, we carry the threads of the Waldorf curriculum while nurturing empathy, inclusion, and respect for all. Students encounter diversity within our community and the wider world, and teachers model social inclusion and compassion.
We honor the power of stories, songs, and art to shape understanding and belonging. Our curriculum reflects the cultures of our local and global communities—especially those of Black, Indigenous, Appalachian, immigrant, and other underrepresented peoples.
Gender identity and expression are respected. Bullying or teasing of any kind is not tolerated. Teachers collaborate with parents to support each child with honesty and care. We strive to use inclusive language and honor all chosen names, pronouns, and titles.
We see all children as spiritual beings deserving of respect. Our festivals and celebrations reflect the beauty and diversity of our community.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: The World is Good
In the early years, values are taught implicitly through modeling. Dolls, puppets, art, and stories reflect diverse cultures, abilities, genders, and family structures, offering every child a sense of belonging.
GRADES: The World is Beautiful
Grades 1–5: Students experience the richness of humanity through diverse stories, music, poetry, art, and field trips.
Grades 6–8: As critical thinking develops, lessons more directly explore history, civil rights, and social justice. Students learn about colonialism through Indigenous perspectives and are introduced to human physiology and sexuality with care and respect.
OUR COMMITMENT
We recognize there is always more to learn.
We commit to:
-
Ongoing self-reflection and the unlearning of bias.
-
Continued education in anti-bias, anti-racism, and anti-colonialism.
-
Honest, respectful dialogue as a community.
-
Deepening our understanding of anthroposophy to honor the freedom, dignity, and path of every individual.