Rhinebeck Senior High School

PHS is a wonder filled environment for children to blossom. Their Waldorf inspired learning supports the whole child, mind, body, and soul. They learn through immersion with their specials teachers guiding the children in the same way. Our children spend most of their days in school, so it is important they are able to connect with Nature during this time and at PHS they surely do. Their farm and garden staff is fantastic and children learn compassion and responsibility, while strengthening their will power, through caring for their beloved farm animals. Their verses teach them reverence. Bird counting encourages observation. Planting seeds shows them how to care for themselves and the Earth. They learn agility and how to become graceful and capable in their bodies. They learn how to have grit, allowing them the opportunity to be in service to humanity and themselves. All learning is age appropriate and really looks at where children are developmentally and how they can be fully nourished, body, soul, and spirit. These earlier, character building years prepare children for life. It is worth everything to us that direct teaching to children's intellect and hurried learning is not found here. There are many studies that show this educational philosophy allows children to desire to learn more in their later years when their mind is prepared for a more intense intellectual learning environment. My son is currently in first grade and has truly found happiness here. Everyday he wakes up dawn's first light, dresses himself, and is eager to go to school. When I ask him if there was anything not so great about his day, he replies "No, the whole day was GREAT!" We have had superb communication with his teacher and the whole faculty. Our son is truly seen and cared for individually in this beautiful, nurturing community.