Waldorf Education

As the only private Waldorf school accredited by AWSNA for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North America, Camphill Special School addresses the whole child: head, heart, and hands. Our adapted Waldorf curriculum presents traditional scholastic subjects, both academically and experientially, stimulating young minds and nurturing healthy emotional development. And, as in every other Waldorf school, our curriculum allows children to work with their hands every day, encouraging practical, social, and artistic growth.

Our wide range of educational programming is sequential, based on the chronological age of students, and is designed to enhance and maximize every child’s potential. In addition to age-appropriate class assignments, small group and individualized instruction addresses each child’s needs and abilities.

What is Waldorf education?

Waldorf education is based upon the studies of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian educator and philosopher. Steiner called his research into human nature and development anthroposophy, “wisdom of the human.” Waldorf teachers, inspired by anthroposophy’s core idea that every person consists of a “body, soul, and eternal spirit,” help children to relate what they learn intellectually to their emotions and to their will.

Waldorf class teachers continue with a class from one year to the next throughout the elementary and middle school grades. Other teachers may be responsible for special subjects, but close relationships develop between class teachers and students, providing a kind of consistency and stability that is rare in other settings.

In a Waldorf School, dramatic, visual, musical, and movement arts, along with practical skills

Music is an integral part of every child's life at Camphill.

such as woodworking, weaving, sewing, and gardening, are integrated with traditional academic subjects. This is why Waldorf schools, including Camphill Special School, are known for educating the whole human being – head, heart, and hands.

Learn more about Waldorf education...