What is a Waldorf school?

Steiner schools:

Where does the Waldorf school concept come from?

Anthroposophy is the starting point:

The esotericist Rudolf Steiner founded his anthroposophical teaching at the beginning of the 20th century, which is based on a comprehensive, spiritual view of the human being. Even before the founding of the Waldorf school, Steiner, who also worked as a publicist, dealt with fundamental questions of education and training.

Works school with a reform concept:

In 1919 Emil Molt, owner of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory, commissioned Rudolf Steiner to establish a works school for the children of his employees. Steiner saw this as an opportunity to develop a school concept in line with his anthroposophical teachings. The Waldorf-Astoria School was his first educational institution and gave its name to all later schools based on Steiner's concept.

Waldorf school and Steiner school:

Today, schools and other institutions that work according to Steiner's educational approach are referred to both as Waldorf schools and as Rudolf Steiner schools. In addition to more than 200 Waldorf schools nationwide, there are also Waldorf kindergartens and other care facilities oriented to Rudolf Steiner's teachings.

The human as a spiritual whole

The basic understanding of Waldorf pedagogy

At the center of Steiner's anthroposophy are the wholeness and spirituality of the human being. From this arises the basic principle of Waldorf pedagogy: to equally promote the three fundamental areas of human development:

Thinking with intellectual-cognitive tasks
Feeling with artistic-creative tasks
Willing with craft-practical tasks

Unlike in regular schools, the acquisition of intellectual knowledge is therefore not the main focus at the Waldorf school. Artistic work and movement exercises have the same status as standard school subjects such as German, mathematics or biology.

Is the Waldorf school right for me and my child?

Waldorf Schule | Mädchen mit Regenbogen-Spielzeug

If you are looking for a suitable school that fits you and, above all, your child, the Waldorf school is one of the types of schools you can take a closer look at. Arrange a visit or go to an open day to get to know the premises and teachers. Because as with all schools, you need to feel a good rapport.

In addition, you as parents should fully support the concept. However, the most important criterion is your child's personality. The open concept of the Waldorf school is therefore not suitable for every child. In particular, pupils who find it difficult to learn without pressure and completely voluntarily may, under certain circumstances, encounter problems.

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