Reviews of Calgary Waldorf School (School)

M

The School you send your kids to should not be a place where they impose their own views/beliefs on to the kids. School should be a place where the kids feel safe at all times and be independent learners/thinkers. Ask these questions to yourself. Outdoor play time? Why are you willing to pay so much money to a private school so that your kids can play outside? Why do you want your kids to learn how to play a record for the whole time your kids attend this school? If you are so interested your kids to learn how to play record book a private lessons cheaper! If you want your kids to be a carpenter which your kids will learn during the time they go to this school so that they can make chairs, stools then send them here. By sending your kids to Calgary Waldorf you are NOT preparing your kids for life. Look at the whole picture. What will they learn after graduating from this school other then knitting, making chairs here and there? Do your search there are couple of really good private schools in Calgary. Search all the private schools, success rates etc.. I’m sure you won’t find Calgary Waldorf in those report. I couldn’t! Lastly, as one of the reviewer said “ Deception is at it’s best! “. Good luck with your search.

Ella Layden

Our son has gone to Waldorf for the past 3 years and it has been amazing. The school is warm and inviting, wonderful teachers and parents. We feel really lucky to have our son at such a great place.

Bagingi Poopoo

I heard charlie storwick goes here

Amanda Kaiser

Very lovey school appears to be amazing but as soon As they saw my son had “high needs” as they called it (ADHD he gets good grades currently just moves and figets a lot ) he was not accepted as a student. Very discriminatory, very judgemental non inclusive.

Jennifer Hammer

We absolutely love the Calgary Waldorf School! As a parent who was not familiar with Waldorf education at all, I am so happy to have found such a beautiful + nurturing space for my children. We were initially recommended to this school by an occupational therapist with the Children's Hospital. The Kindergarten was instrumental in our child's physical development and confidence. I credit the school's focus on sensory experiences, like outdoor play and handwork activities. Calgary Waldorf offers a lovely community for parents to connect with each other and stay involved in their children's education. I would highly recommend touring the school and talking to the parents that actually have children here if you are interested. I have yet to meet anyone here who has not been satisfied with the education their children have received. We are so lucky to have local school that recognizes play as a foundation for healthy development.

Ahmi Mack

I am currently 22 years old and went to Waldorf from pre-school to grade 9. I would not have changed a single thing about it. I have life long friends because of Waldorf and I am still in touch with my teacher. I always felt very safe and supported! I can understand that Waldorf may not be for everyone. However, after 12 years I can confidently say that it is an amazing school that properly prepares children for the real world in a creative and positive way.

Patsy Sheldon

The environment in which we raise our children is essential to who they will be as adults. When considering your child's potential school use your resources - there are questions to be ask. Will the school's philosophy match your own? Will the school community act in the best interest of your child? Visit the school - ask more questions. Does what you see during your visit match your expectations? Does it match what you have heard? It is modern days, search the internet. Waldorf Anthropology has the potential to be amazing, but what happens when there is trouble? Ask questions, balance all of those answers. If something seems unbalanced one way or the other. Ask more questions. Think on it, what does your instinct tell you?

Sarah Webb

My two children attend the school and have for two years. We are thrilled to be a part of such a strong community and a different style of education. The methods used to engage children in the learning process work extremely well as both of my children really enjoy attending school each day, and need very little decompression at the end of the day, very different from our experience with them attending public school. The sense of community is very strong and the support vase from other parents and teachers is a wonderful benefit. My children enjoy learning and have found it easy to make friends and fit in with their class, and any minor conflicts have been well handled. Having experienced other schools prior to coming to Waldorf, and observing the children who attend, there does seem to be a difference in the teaching and educational style in shaping kids to be kinder, more empathetic, eager to learn, and keen to be kids, without the pressure to grow up too quickly.

Kai Gedlaman

As a Waldorf Alumni, I can say that the experience as a whole is something I can never be thankful enough for. Even 6 years after graduating, the community still has a great role in my life, from the teachers to my classmates families. It prepared me in ways that no public school could, and I believe that getting that hands on learning that Waldorf promotes is something that is impossible to find anywhere else. The friendships I made there will be alive for years to come. The people there helped me succeed and graduate with not only an understanding of the curriculum, but an understanding of vital life skills that have helped me in various situations. Waldorf is and will always be the greatest experience of my life that I will always cherish. Highly recommended for anyone considering.

Lauren Tink

I attended the Calgary Waldorf School starting in kindergarten and continued through to grade nine. I’m currently in university and still cherish all the valuable knowledge, memories and life experience I have as a result of my Calgary Waldorf education. I can’t think of anything that I would change about my time here as I always felt supported and understood. It was a perfect learning environment for me and the classmates who I’m still in touch with say it was for them too. After graduating from grade nine I was more than prepared for high school. Thanks to Calgary Waldorf I now have creative, innovative, academic, and interpersonal skills that are helping me in all aspects of life.

Tristan Blahut

Going to Waldorf for the last 2 years of Junior High was possibly the most important 2 years of my life. Even having spent such a short time there, I can honestly say that the education I received, the experiences I had, and the friends I made there match no other time in my life. Looking back, I remember how engaged and inspired I was by the curriculum, as it was delivered in a way which brought my imagination to life. I feel that public schools frequently neglect a very important part of the child's brain: the imagination. Being one of the students who went directly from public school to Waldorf, I can say that Waldorf was an infinitely better learning environment. Waldorf gave me my closest friends and some of my best experiences. It prepared me for life in ways that public school couldn't, and the people I met there still remain my closest friends. I would highly recommend CWS to anyone considering.

Cindy Winther

Both my children attended the Calgary Waldorf School from pre-k through to grade nine. It was an incredibly beautiful introduction for them to school, and to a way of living that is mindful, and intentional. Working through the rhythms of the day, and ultimately the years, was an experience that holds them in a strong grounded stead through their now adult years. The ability to recognize the beauty in life, and working through various learning methods gave them a solid foundation on how to learn. They have been very focussed in their studies, with the ability to discern a viable future career for themselves, and indeed upon completion of their university training have secured excellent career positions. Do I attribute this to Calgary Waldorf? Absolutely, twelve years at this school taught them respect for themselves and others, gratitude and appreciation, the ability to speak publicly and stand up for themselves, and prepared them very well for the schooling they received thereafter. And for myself, the connection to a kind and caring community filled with like minded and multi talented individuals has been invaluable, friends for life.

Eric Ellison

Waldorf was an excellent school I attended from pre school all the way until grade 9. And although there were bumps in the road I felt like I was always in a community that would support my needs and help me get the best education possible. I will always remember the years I had there fondly.

Emily (薛華琪) Shieh

Though I only stayed there for less than 2 years, I really, really love the school. I wish I could stay there until grade 9. I miss the school, I miss the teachers, and I miss my classmates and friends.

David Vaughan

We moved to the area to put our children in the Calgary Waldorf School because we were very enthusiastic about the curriculum and how the Steiner philosophies of child development are applied throughout. We have been at the school through nearly seven years and we are constantly amazed at how groundbreaking and beneficial the atmosphere is for our children. Exposure to multiple languages has always been important to us (they take French and German), as well as early exposure to music via singing and instruments. Not to mention class participation in plays, drawing, painting, sculpting, woodwork, etc. They are thriving and enjoying their experience fully, and we couldn't be happier!!

candace goedecke

Deception at its finest!

Pat Greiner

I have had both my kids attend Waldorf to grade 9, and have coached and reffed for Waldorf and the school I work at (Calgary Academy) in games for and against Waldorf. As parents we were delighted by the structure of the school and the logical approach to education. To start we enjoyed the play based early school that uses child development to indicate when to move children forward. I believe the current trend to push learning (like reading) up earlier and earlier is flawed as many children aren’t ready for it. This is one reason we see so many students struggling - one must learn to walk before they are ready to run. Our children had lots of opportunity within Waldorf and they both excelled. Now my experience in athletics made me realize that the approach of the Waldorf school was developing strong polite youngsters. The teams may not always be the best, but the kids are always having fun, and are very polite, can look you in the eye, and are great sports to the point of cheering for the opposite team. So, I’m my experience - 5 stars.

LESLEY JOINER

I’ve been a parent at CWS for 17 years. There have been ups and downs. The pedagogy is excellent. The teachers are caring. My 3 older children transitioned well to public high school.

Anonymous Writer

I spent three years of my life at Waldorf and I personally feel that it was lacking both socially and academically for an atrociously high price. For starters, they advertise a very artistic environment but that is a huge lie. I was not allowed to be creative at all and we all had to follow every single thing the teacher did or else we would get (literally, I tried it) yelled at. Secondly, because the classes rarely get new students it is impossible to make new friends or get a fresh start for yourself and in the cliquey environment I felt isolated and unhappy. Academically, I was extremely bored, they did not cover the curriculum and actually don't teach science or social studies past the 6th grade PAT's. It also encourages a (there's no other word for it) lazy work ethic as the students would get a seemingly endless extension rate for the rare assignments that there were and it was almost impossible to get a bad mark. The students did not listen to the teachers and we wasted so, so much time. I have since moved to a public school that is free, and I have found lots of wonderful smart friends and great teachers that teach interesting things at a much faster rate. If you are thinking of sending your child here take a moment to consider, will they really be happy, get a good education artistically and otherwise and will you really get your money's worth? I have to say no.

Andrea Beaubrun

My three children go to this school and I can't say enough about the quality of education. The teaching is outstanding and the community is wonderful! My children are thriving and learning life skills that will carry them forward beyond their years at CWS. I recommend this school all the time and will continue to.

Simone Hunter

Our children have thrived in the KinderWing over the last two years. The environment is rich and warm with life and learning. It has been a great fit for our values -- caring and connected teachers, lots of outside time, play-based and developmentally attuned. Ultimately though..don't base your school choice on online reviews (including this one..ha) as you have no idea of the writer's bias. Nothing replaces going to see and experience a school environment for yourself to make such an important decision. Go on tours, talk to people face-to-face, trust your gut.

L C

Our children have been at the Calgary Waldorf School for several years now and we cannot imagine them being anywhere else. We love everything about the school and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this school to anyone.

D Will

Our two children attended the Calgary Waldorf School for the junior high years. The care and attention they were given at the school set them up for success in a public high school, university, and now the workforce. They both look back on their years at the school with appreciation for all the experiences they had in classes, on sports teams, and during outdoor pursuits. In addition, they made life-long friends, as did we with other parents.

Jaeden Blewett

This school has provided me the ability to live a well rounded successful life. The Calgary Waldorf School has been such a positive part in my life and still is to this day. The loving, caring, and supportive community I was apart of while attending the school is still extremely relative and impactful to this day, after being graduated for 7 years. I can honestly say I would not be able to reach the level of success I have today without the Waldorf school.

Shiobhan Bohach

I attended Calgary Waldorf School for 12 years. I am now in my 3rd year of University and am so grateful for the experience and learning tools I was taught during my time at CWS! For starters, there is a huge emphasis put on allowing kids to be kids. Imagination was encouraged and classes such as Music, Woodworking, Eurythmy, Painting, etc are just as important as Math and Science. Not to mention how amazing the language courses are there. Because of CWS I am now pursuing German as a minor to supplement my Accounting major! The benefit of having a second language go beyond it looking good on a resume, it will also come in handy when travelling! Although imagination and the arts have a heavy focus at CWS the curriculum is still excellent at preparing children for secondary school academic courses. Because of the strong foundation in Math, English and Science I went into several AP courses offered at my High School. The teachers and staff are amazingly supportive, and even though I graduated a few years ago when I go back to visit it still feels as if I am visiting family! Going to CWS is something that I am so grateful I got the opportunity to do, and in the future when I have kids of my own it is the only school I will enrol them in! Vene, Vidi, Vici

jeff carrigan

They are more worried about the schools image and your money then they are your children's well being and safety!

Owen Hunter

As a successful graduate of the Calgary Waldorf School, I can confidently say Waldorf was an extremely nurturing school, full of amazing teachers, educational electives, and a fantastic curriculum. Anyone who has written a negative review is not someone who has experienced the wonders of Waldorf first hand like i did, and the negative reviews should be taken as nothing more than dramatics.

Irene Pauchard

I am so happy to be part of the CWS community, and my two boy love going to school every day! The teachers are amazing and go beyond the curriculum to make this school a magical, fantastic, exciting place to be for every child. I am grateful to have found a school where the kids are engaged both physically and mentally, and where the head-heart-hand connection is addressed in every aspect of learning.

Jenn Gilbert

We were one of several families who left the kinderwing (early childhood) over the last few months. Don't get me wrong, the school is beautiful. Much care and attention is paid to the esthetics. At first glance everything seems wonderful, magical even, but sometimes behind the curtain darkness lurks. Often when you find something that appeases so many of the underlying beliefs and values you & your family have, it makes it hard to imagine anything else exists that can provide your child with such an enriching childhood. Perhaps you're drawn because of the significant outdoor time, the supposed soft skills the school professes to enhance, or the lack of media exposure, but be warned, from our experience not everything is as rosy as it appears. Our family was at the school for 3 full years before we left. We believed in all of these things, but we repeatedly saw and heard things that led us down paths of both curiosity and bewilderment. The more we questioned (at the school) and researched (online - SO much is available), the more we realized CWS was not actually as transparent or aligned with our beliefs as we first thought. We personally felt ostracized for having concerns about the safety and well-being of our child and that was enough for us to leave. And after a couple of short months from not being in the school we have also come to realize that a certain amount of fear, shame and guilt seems to loom around the school. If you are not 100% in, you feel unwelcome. Those clouds have lifted and it is amazingly refreshing. Trust your gut!! Do your own research - both good and bad. Ask questions. Ask them again! What is anthroposophy? Who was Rudolf Steiner? What were some of his underlying beliefs? What does Waldorf worldwide look like? How is Waldorf, Steiner and anthroposophy intertwined? What are common trends (good and bad)? Does the answer sit well with you? Is that true?!!

Jack Searchfield

No school is perfect, and every school is bound to be an ill fit for some people. This school strives to do well by the children in it, as well as the adults—parents and staff—who form the community around it. It's that striving that makes this a worthy undertaking for all who make up the Calgary Waldorf School, I feel.

Jodie O

Our journey at the Calgary Waldorf School began with the Parent & Tot class 15 years ago and though our youngest of two is graduating from grade 9 in a couple of weeks, our relationship with the school will not end. That's because through all of these years, our kids have been blessed with wonderful teachers who at their core are conscientious, diligent and loving, know their students like the back of their hands, have expertise in creating a community for not just the students to learn and flourish in but for the parents to enjoy as well from class 1 on. No organization I've been involved with has as much heart, faithfulness to their longstanding guiding philosophy, and is as well run as the Calgary Waldorf School. No organization is perfect but this school learns from and responds to its trials ethically and responsibly. My kids particularly benefited from the junior high sports program which welcomes any student interested to participate in all of the sports, or as many as they want, throughout the school year. I've been involved as a coach and assistant coach on some of these teams and to see not only the growth over three years in the competence of the team but the strengthening of the student relationships through sport has been such a privilege to behold.

Caelie Logan

I'd only let my kids go here if I hated them and wanted to pay ridiculous amounts of money to endanger them. There are much cheaper ways to put your kids in danger.

paula rasmussen

I am a Calgary Waldorf alumni and I cannot put into words the positive impact that receiving a Waldorf education has had on my life. The Calgary Waldorf school provided me with a nurturing and positive learning environment, unique skills and a creative outlook, and countless memories that will last a lifetime. The Calgary Waldorf school prepared me for high school extremely well. I had absolutely no issues with regards to adapting to a public school setting because Waldorf helped me to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for my transition to the public school system. Further, my Waldorf education has enabled me to excel in a post-secondary educational setting because I grew up immersed in a learning environment that fostered creativity and innovative thinking; encouraged inclusivity; and allowed me to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships. The teachers at the Calgary Waldorf School truly care about their students, this cannot be refuted. Some people may think it is unusual that I had the same teacher for nine years, but it was a very special experience to have an educator who knew me on such a personal level and was therefore able to cater my entire education to my personal skills and learning needs. I am still in contact with my Waldorf teacher, as are many of the students who were in my class. Overall, I would highly recommend Waldorf education (if I have children in the future I definitely plan on putting them in a Waldorf school) and I have nothing negative to say about the Calgary Waldorf School, as I had an extremely positive educational experience that I would not trade for the world.

Heather Steel

Our whole family loves the Calgary Waldorf School (CWS)– for so many reasons! We came to the Waldorf school because we were worried about the environment in my son’s other school. Within 2 months of being at the CWS, he had returned to his joyous, jokey, outgoing self. Now, 2 years later, he is confident, happy and well-engaged in his school community. At the same time, we enrolled our youngest in the pre-school program for 4 afternoons a week. This was such a beautiful, magical experience for her. She is now in full-day kindergarten and loves it. Both our children wake up happy and excited to go to school in the mornings. The school community is vibrant and welcoming. My son knows most of the children in the school by name and plays with many from a variety of grades. The buddy system, an inherent part of Waldorf schools, creates bonds and mentorships between the young children and the older children and builds integration and support networks which exist for years to come. We have made good friends with many families in the school. Open invitations to meet-up for skating or a play-ground dates are frequently being extended, so it’s easy to integrate into the community. There are also many school-organized events to enjoy. The teachers are AMAZING and work so hard to teach the curriculum in creative, interesting and beautiful ways. They make a conscious effort to expose children to beauty in all areas. I have spent time helping out in classrooms and have seen how calm, loving and inspiring the environment is. The teachers have a magical way with the kids. When inappropriate behaviours arise, they are handled with calmness, love and understanding. This modelling carries through to the children in the classroom, who often use very clear and mature language to discuss situations/behaviours they do not like. There is a wide range of needs in the classroom, and the teachers manage to gently guide children through difficult moments. From what I have seen and heard, all children in the class are accepted by the others as part of the group and appreciated for their own unique ways. That said, it is important to do your research and make sure beforehand that the philosophies of this school are a good match for you and your children. Your child will not be learning how to read in pre-school here. For me, that is something I appreciate; for others, this may be seen as a fault. If competition and ‘being better than’ are important to you, then you’ll be happier at a different school. Being outside and appreciating nature are highly valued (though not dominating the schedule); if you feel children learn better sitting in a desk, then this will not be a good fit for you. Learning through play and student-centred learning (which does NOT mean no-guidance and out-of-control classrooms) are woven into the curriculum here; if you’re looking for textbooks and lectures, you’ll need a different place. You can google Rudolf Steiner to learn more about the reasoning behind the philosophy. Attending an Open House at the school is a great way to get your questions answered and get a sense of what teaching is like here. My comments here are an 'early years' perspective - have a read through some of the alumni reviews here to get a sense of the older students' success and learning experiences. I am so glad we made the choice to switch to Calgary Waldorf! The diverse community has been so warm and supportive. I look forward to watching my children bloom as they continue their journey here with their friends.

erica.james Welsh

Our family has been a part of this school for many years. Our kids are happy to go to school every day! They love learning and and we all love being a part of the amazing community! We are so grateful that our kids are so well taken care, appreciated, loved and nurtured here.