We have four children enrolled, from preschool through seventh grade. They are all working above grade level in the core subjects and are eager for more. The school offers a rigorous education in a wide range of subjects while meeting the individual needs of each student. The teachers are outstanding,
... Read more always willing to help. We cannot imagine a more supportive community. Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/21/09
The teachers are given the most power over your children and you 'ideally' have the same teacher for 8 years. The teacher will interpret and treat your child based on their opinion of your child. They believe they are somehow qualified to assess your child's soul or that they know more about the spiritual
... Read more realm than anyone else could. A lot of parents seem to crumble at the mystique that is portrayed by teachers but it is really just a fallacy. They are teaching and thus interacting with your child based upon esoteric studies that they wholeheartedly believe in but are they really what you believe? Money talks at this school although you'll find some pretty poor people who receive assistance who are there basically because they totally believe in 'the way' and make the place seem ideal and authentic. Proceed with caution. Don't believe the hype no matter how pretty Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/11/09
Our son is in the Early Childhood program (preschool) and is loving it. The program is visionary. An emphasis on the rhythm of the seasons and exploration of the five senses is encouraged. Storytelling (rather than reading a book aloud to the children) is another feature of the school day. Waldorf
... Read more education seeks to engage a child on many levels: body in space; imagination; singing; watercolor painting ( yes our 4 year old brought home some beautiful watercolor art); extended outdoor playtime in ALL weathers; development of a relationship with nature and the seasons. Before the first day of school, we were invited to a get-together in the park with returning and new students in our son's class, so that we would all immediately have friends. This school puts a high value on community, which is fostered and encouraged through various events and volunteering. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/04/09
We have three of our children enrolled at the Chicago Waldorf School, preschool through middle grade. Each has a gifted, loving and dedicated teacher that is available in and outside of class. We love the school values of community and personal responsibility. Our children are growing up surrounded
... Read more by a community that knows who they are and is based on old fashioned values of discipline, hard work accountability, understanding and relationship. In the mass culture it is a challenge to find worthy role models for our children and we are grateful for the teachers, parents and students at our school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/14/09
We have two chidren in the Chicago Waldorf School and could not be happier. One is in 7th grade and the other is in 1st. Having experienced the school since our oldest was in the Parent/Child program, we are especially pleased with the school's 'big picture' approach to education that constantly demonstrates
... Read more the connections between arts and sciences (rather than separating them into boring, sterile subjects) as well as the connections between history, literature, and arts and the contexts in which they were developed - giving even the most basic math equations and theories a sense of place and a back story. Our kids are outdoors with their classes every day - usually more than once - rain, snow or sunshine and, as a result, have a comfortable relationship with rhythms of nature. I highly recommend it people who want their children to become well-rounded and socially conscious adults. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/08/09
Our daugher was enrolled in the pre-school parent teacher program. The original teacher had a gift for recognizing the individual traits of the chilren; she also appeared to be well attuned to Steiner's philosophy, with special emphasis on nature, the outdoors, and the individual traits of each child.
... Read more Alas, she moved on. Now, the program is quite mechanical. Little attention is paid to nature - the children do not even go outdoors. The teacher is not inclined or able to recognize the invididual traits and characteristics of each child. And the parents are quite competitive among themselves - a function, perhaps, of the rather mechanical approach that now pervades the classroom. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/11/08
I have two children at the Chicago Waldorf School. My son is going to be in third grade in the next school year and my daughter will be a kindergartner. Our children have been in this school for 5 years and my husband and I feel so blessed that they have been. My first reaction to the school when I first
... Read more visited it was, I wish I had gone to school here. And that thought has been felt by most of our family members that have visited and been to special events at the school. My husband and I are very happy with our decision to send our children to the Chicago Waldorf School. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/07/07
The Chicago Waldorf School has been a very good place for my children to learn and grow into thinking, feeling, and active young people. The curriculum meets the child where they are in their development, and it is alive. My son told me that when he studied Rome, and heard the stories, he felt
... Read more like he was there. He has a love of history that has been fostered by learning through such creative means. It is true that not all teachers are the same, but that is a strength. Parents can know what happens in the classroom if they choose, as most teachers are willing to meet and answer any questions. There is not a school where the parent may obliviously sit back and hope for the best and expect their child to thrive. CWS is trying to foster the whole child in the language of the imagination, that each child may create and think a world better than the one we now face. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/05/06
The CWS is a school based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, but is interpreted by teachers so there is room for error. The staff runs the school and parents have little room to do anything that involves themself in their children's lives except volunteering for fundraisers. Parents are not easily
... Read more welcomed into the classrooms and have little knowledge of what goes on. The quality of the education varies from teacher to teacher and parents do not have a choice in the selection of the grades teachers. All first grade classes fill up to a capacity of 32 children even with the high tuition. Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/15/06
Overall I would say this is a great school. However if your child has special needs, this may not be the best place. There are many advantages to this school and children who are in the middle will probably thrive here. Children who are extremely bright or challenged academically/socially may have
... Read more problems. There are no teachers who can give special assistance to children on a regular basis. Since this school is private, it does not have to provide the same services and support that public schools do. This school has an arts based curriculum and art is something that is ever present in many forms from drawing your own school books, painting, handwork projects such as knitting or crocheting, plus playing instruments, singing, and theater. The costs are high but consistent with what the school provides. Because of the committment and the cost, make sure to look before you leap. Read less
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.
Chicago schools — Chicago Waldorf School is located at 1300 W Loyola Ave, Chicago IL 60626. 1300 W Loyola Ave is in the Rogers Park neighborhood and 60626 ZIP code in Chicago, IL Chicago Waldorf School is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 12.
School information provided by OnBoard Informatics Copyright (c) 2008. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
We won't spam you. Nor will we give, sell, rent or otherwise make your email address available to third parties.
All our mailings include a link so you can easily unsubscribe. For more details, read our full privacy policy.
Parent Reviews
These reviews include feedback from parents, students, former students, administrators and other staff. This feedback
may help you further evaluate and compare schools, along with other information such as test scores, academic programs,
school resources, classroom and teacher ratios, etc. The reviews are provided by GreatSchools.
Ask a question about this school on Trulia Voices to learn more
about this school or district from residents and other local experts.
Test Score Ratings
Test score ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results reported by this state. These ratings may help
you compare similar schools in this district or area. For example, a rating of 8 indicates that, on average, students in
this school scored better than 70% of the students in the state on the same tests. We have indicated below which tests
were used in calculating these ratings. Other factors should be considered when comparing schools, including teacher
experience, academic programs, extracurricular activities, resources for special needs students, etc. These ratings are
not provided by the state Department of Education, which may have their own rating systems.
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
