What is a Waldorf school?

Steiner schools:

Where does the concept of the Waldorf school come from?

It begins with anthroposophy:

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

Company school with a reform concept:

In 1919 Emil Molt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory, commissioned Rudolf Steiner to establish a company school for the children of his employees. Steiner saw this as a chance to develop a school concept in line with his anthropology. The Waldorf-Astoria School was his first pedagogical institution and lent its name to all later schools based on the Steiner concept.

Waldorf school and Steiner school:

Today, schools and other institutions that follow Steiner's pedagogical approach are known 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 childcare facilities oriented toward Rudolf Steiner's teachings.

The human being 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 manual-practical tasks

Unlike in regular schools, the acquisition of intellectual knowledge is therefore not the primary focus at the Waldorf school. Artistic work and movement exercises have the same status as regular 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 should take a closer look at. Arrange an appointment for a visit or attend an open day to get to know the facilities and teachers. Because as with all schools, the chemistry has to be right at Waldorf schools too.

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. Pupils who find it difficult to learn without pressure and entirely voluntarily could, under certain circumstances, encounter problems.

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