Education & Faculty

Grades 1-8

Curriculum
The following is an outline of topics as they are studied through the Grades. Each teacher assesses the needs of the class, and may choose to present some material earlier, or later, as appropriate for each individual class.
 
Grade One
Main Lesson Subjects
Introduction to the alphabet and writing; basic facts to 10; introduction to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; fairy tales, folk tales, and nature stories (retold and dramatized). In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
French, German, music (singing and recorder playing), eurythmy, watercolor painting, drawing, modeling, knitting, rhythm exercises, form drawing, nature walks, games.
 
Grade Two
Main Lesson Subjects
Writing, pre-reading skills; Arithmetic: multiplication tables, work with four processes, including carrying and borrowing; fables, legends and stories of Saints (retold and dramatized, composed in the child's own words). In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
French, German, music (singing and recorder playing), eurythmy, watercolor painting, drawing, modeling, knitting, crocheting, games, form drawing, crafts, nature walks.
 
Grade Three
Main Lesson Subjects
Literacy, elements of grammar, introduction of cursive writing; arithmetic: long division & multiplication, add and subtract columns; measurement, time, calendar; farming, gardening, and house building; Old Testament stories. In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
Reading, French, German, music (notation of rhythm & notes, singing and recorder, rounds), eurythmy, painting, knitting and crocheting (additional skills), games/physical education, form and geometric drawing, gardening.
 
Grade Four
Main Lesson Subjects
Arithmetic: fractions; reading, grammar, spelling, composition, dramatization; local geography and history; Norse mythology and sagas; study of humans and animals. In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged
Special Subjects
French and German grammar and reading, music (songs in parts, tenor and alto recorders, and introduction to strings), eurythmy, painting, embroidery, hand sewing and cross-stitch, physical education, form drawing, gardening.
 
Grade Five
Main Lesson Subjects
English composition, grammar, spelling, reading, and plays; American geography; India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece; decimals, fractions, and freehand geometry; botany. In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
French, German, music (four part recorder, introduction to brass and woodwinds), eurythmy, knitting with four needles, woodwork (carving), clay modeling, painting, physical education (traditional Greek Pentathlon events, team sports skills, fitness).
 
Grade Six
Main Lesson Subjects
English composition, grammar, spelling, literature, drama; geography of the Americas or Europe and Africa (other topic in Grade 7); Troy, Rome, Crusades, Medieval Society, Arthurian legends (1400-1700); business math, geometry, percent; physics (sound, light and color, heat, magnetism, static electricity), minerals and geology; possibly geocentric astronomy. In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
French, German, music (recorder, singing), orchestra, eurythmy, knitting on four needles, painting, woodwork (carving), physical education (team sports), gardening.
 
Grade Seven
Main Lesson Subjects
English composition, grammar, spelling, research papers, literature, drama; geography of Europe and Africa, or the Americas (other topic in Grade 6); The Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Discovery, Age of Exploration; Arthurian legends (1400-1700-Grade 6 or 7); algebra, geometry, power, root; physics, inorganic chemistry, astronomy, physiology, nutrition; perspective drawing. In addition, a class play drawn from the curriculum may be staged.
Special subjects
French, German, choir, orchestra, eurythmy, sewing, woodwork (carving, objects with moveable parts), physical education (circus arts, team sports), gardening, visual arts.
 
Grade Eight
Main Lesson Subjects
English composition, grammar, literature; geography: any parts of the world not covered in previous years; American history; Industrial Revolution to modern history; algebra, geometry; meteorology, climatology, physics, organic chemistry, physiology.
Special Grade 8 Play production.
Special subjects
French, German, choir, orchestra, eurythmy, handwork (machine sewn garments), woodwork (stool), physical education, gardening, visual arts.
 
 
Being personally acquainted with a number of Waldorf students, I can say that they come closer to realizing their own potential than practically anyone I know.”

– Joseph Weizenbaum, Professor (now emeritus), MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), author of Computer Power and Human Reason