I moved my daughter to SFWS in 4th grade from a very well respected public school in SF. This was a great move for her for many reasons. She was immediately accepted by her classmates and has found the diversity of classes to challenge her in many ways. She is now in the middle school and looking forward
... Read more to the Waldorf high school. She is learning 2 languages, science, math - both typical and practical math, reading and writing, music, art and movement. My happy child now sings at home as she is doing her homework. I also felt very welcomed into the school community. I would encourage any parent who wants to give their child not only a great education but also a deep understanding of who they are - check out this school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/09/09
The SF Waldorf school is definitely not for everyone, but the pedagogy makes for an outstanding choice for children and families who want a thriving community with progressive ideals. The curriculum is very strong in building a foundation for critical thinking and stimulates in children and teens the
... Read more desire to learn and explore. My family could not have been happier about our choice, and my son is a wonderful, caring individual because of it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/23/08
The best high school in San Francisco because of the superb teachers, well-rounded curriculum, and academic rigor.
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Posted by a student on 05/08/08
concern for every student, a truly well-rounded education, with balnce of intellectual, emotional, moral, physical, and spiritual development
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Posted by a parent on 02/22/08
Very rigid. Works well for children with absolutely no learning issues, dyslexia etc. Otherwise it's a train wreck. The early grades,( pre K-5), are fine to excellent if your child gets a good teacher as they have the same class teacher for 8 years. However, even with the best teacher, at the onset of
... Read more adolescence problems arise. They seem to have a very hard time letting children grow into young adults in an urban environment in this century. There is drama, art and music but no real creativity allowed. Parents are expected to provide a huge amount of practical and financial support but have absolutely no voice in school decisions. For the amount of tuition charged there are wiser choices. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/15/06
The education at San Francisco Waldorf School truly allows each child to fulfill his or her potential. Each individual is valued for her or his gifts, and the love for learning is cultivated every day. The students graduate from the 12th grade with a clear sense of who they are and the confidence to
... Read more find their place in the world. My son reported from his university (after 14 years at SFWS) that the professors kept asking him how he was able to bring some many different perspectives to class discussions. His academic, social, and practical skills have allowed him to excel in whatever he has tried to do, and I am sure that is so because the Waldorf School and its wonderful teachers valued him for who he was, and allowed him to develop in all aspects of his being. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/13/06
I had a great experience with this school - the teachers and staff are great.
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Posted by a parent on 06/13/06
The SF Waldorf school is a great place to start your child off right. Their parenting classes (that allow young children to attend as well) are wonderful ways to meet other parents with same age kids, as well as a place to learn some neat things. Their nursery and PK classes are also great.
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Posted by a parent on 01/05/06
I have to say that the education in this school is solid; kids come out with good heads on their shoulders. The only problem is that it follows a very rigid doctrine written by a german man in the last century. Not only are computers shunned, but so are plastic toys and music cd's (children should hear
... Read more music live, they say). I had a hard time swallowing it hook, line and sinker, and felt ostrasized for it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 12/29/05
Our child has completed ten years at SFWS. While we feel that the theoretical pedagogy is extraordinarily beautiful and one every child anywhere would be nourished by... the bottom line is that it is only as good as the teacher's own preparation. This is because the child stays with the same teacher
... Read more the entire 8 years of the lower school. If the teacher's own academic preparation is mediocre and their emotional fitness for the task of taking the children through the first eight grades is tenuous than, this is naturally impacted upon the child. As Waldorf is truly 'alternative' it tends to attract teachers who are less rigorous academically and, definately more artistic! This is lovely and makes for a highly sensitive and gentle curriculum but, it can leave the student unprepared for today's secondary school expectations eg. keyboarding and computer, math skills, creative writing and standardized test taking. One can become 'locked-in' to the Waldorf curriculum... at third grade there's no chance to leave because most of the kids aren't reading yet; at sixth there's the fear of the culture of public middle schools and, at ninth they don't have the skills requisite for the fast track high schools (computer, math, test taking). In the end, we are glad our son has gone to Waldorf but, because this is such a different world than it was 30, 50 or 80 years ago... perhaps we should have put him in a more competitive and rigorously academic environment. The physical environment and the performing arts of the K-8 lower school are wonderful. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
San Francisco schools — San Francisco Waldorf School is located at 2938 Washington St, San Francisco CA 94115. 2938 Washington St is in the Pacific Heights neighborhood and 94115 ZIP code in San Francisco, CA San Francisco Waldorf School is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 8.
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