When you meet our students, it's clear that they are creative, competent, resourceful, compassionate individuals ready to step into their authentic selves and all life has to offer. Read on to discover some of the unique aspects of our education!
Essentials of Waldorf Education in Saratoga Springs
Global Perspectives
Understanding the complexities of our diverse global society through historical and modern lenses prepares our students to meet the challenges that face humanity today from racial justice to the climate crisis and beyond. Whether our teachers are telling fairytales and legends from ancient cultures to our youngest students; or our middle grades students are studying the impacts of colonization on Indigenous cultures; or our high schoolers are debating the current social and economic landscape in light of reconstruction era policies, our students consider the broad reaching impacts of world affairs. Beginning with appreciation for world cultures and the celebration of festivals and stories from around the world to an analytical approach to current events, our students develop understanding and appreciation for the value of the diversity of our shared humanity.
Experiential Learning
Waldorf students learn through direct experience and the opportunity to develop a relationship with the lesson content. Multi-sensory classroom experiences, labs, demonstrations, stories, projects, and immersion trips are first experienced, then transformed into earned knowledge. We ask our students— “What can be discovered?” and "How does this lesson apply to the world around you?" — encouraging them to develop an innate curiosity through self-discovery. The end-products of the Main Lesson book, research presentation, performance, or essay are the culmination of a process that started in direct experience.
Nature Immersion
Our Early Childhood students spend a majority of their time in the meadow and along the forest trails on our expansive Forest Kindergarten campus. But nature immersion doesn't stop there! Whether our students are hiking in the Catskills, studying astronomy in the Adirondacks, maintaining trails at the Forest Kindergarten, participating in community service projects, enjoying farm life on the 3rd grade Farm Trip, learning the importance of composting and the chemical composition of soil for biodiversity and nutrient absorption, or studying marine life on the coast of Maine, our students develop a love and appreciation for the natural world. We continue to partner with local organizations to help make our community sustainable for the future.
Integrated Art Education
Waldorf education is a true liberal arts education, placing value on the multidisciplinary approach to learning. In addition to rigorous Science, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, English, and World Languages programs, our school emphasizes the value of Art, Movement, and Music in education. We do so not only because of the aesthetic beauty these disciplines bring to the world, but because of the profound ways in which working in the arts develops the intellectual, emotional, and physical capabilities of our students. Integrating other disciplines with the Arts gives students tools for a lifetime while stimulating different regions of the brain to develop dexterity, emotional intelligence, and confidence. The infusion of arts throughout our curriculum is the cornerstone of a rich multidisciplinary approach. Fine arts, woodworking, fiber arts, metalworking, dance, drama, vocal, and instrumental music are a part of every student's experience at WSSS.
Policy of Anti-discrimination
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs promotes respect for all students, employees, and applicants for admissions or employment and prohibits discrimination to the full extent required by law including discrimination based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, familial or marital status, military status, or any other category which is protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. These anti-discrimination policies apply in the administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and all other school administered programs. The following person has been designated to handle all inquiries regarding the school’s anti-discrimination policies:
School Administrator
122 Regent St.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866