General FAQs

Central to Waldorf Education is a recognition of and a respect for the child’s unfolding individuality. The curriculum is designed to meet the child’s specific developmental needs–where they are in their developmental stage– from the preschool through to high school. Rudolf Steiner maintained that “all education is self-education,” and therefore the task of the teacher lies in creating a learning environment in which the child can find age-appropriate nourishment and challenge. In a world in which education is focused on normative, quantifiable outcomes, the uniqueness of the individual child’s gifts and challenges often has to take a backseat to the pressure of general societal expectations.

Waldorf Education values difference and strives to support developing children and adolescents in such a way that they can bring their gifts to fruition while, at the same time, learn to cope with their challenges. All of Waldorf Education is focused on challenging children in such a way that the emergent ability of independent thinking can lead to a true experience of meaning. As Steiner puts it, the earliest experiences that the world is good and worthy of imitation, followed by the cultivation of a deep sense of wonder for the beauty to be found in all things, will establish the foundation upon which the teenager will learn to discover truth in the world.

Learn more here.

Class Ratios:

Our average student to faculty ratio is 6:1, ensuring that our teachers really get to know every student and work closely with them to support their unique individual needs.

A typical class size for each grade is:

Early Childhood:

Preschool for 2-3 years old: 8 students, 2 teachers (two classes)

Preschool for 3-4 years old: 12 students, 2 teachers (two classes)

Kindergarten for 4-6 year olds: 22 students, 2 teachers (two classes)

Lower School, Middle School & High School

Grades 1-12: 15-20 students per grade (one grade per class)

Students in their journey here at Summerfield greatly benefit from different teaching styles, personalities, and professional expertise within a given subject. On average, a Summerfield student, depending on their grade, will have the following teachers throughout their school day:

(1) Main Lesson: This is their grade level teacher who instructs them during a 1.5 - 2.0 hour (depending on the grade level) main subject lesson for that specific Block.

(1-2) Movement: an instructor each for eurythmy and PE/circus arts

(1-2) Music: an instructor each for choir and instruments

(1-3) Arts: an instructor each for fine arts, practical arts, and drama

(1) Language: an instructor specific to a language. We offer Spanish and German.

(1-2) Farm: an instructor specific to farming and horticultural practices

(1) Mentor: teachers who are chosen by the students as a direct contact person for guidance with any school, life, or social issues.

As a private, accredited Waldorf Education nonprofit organization (501c3), Summerfield is not required by state law to employ Standardized Testing. Our teachers have the freedom to decide how to best meet the class – and the individual – while delivering a rigorous academic/college prep curriculum along with art, music, practical skills, sports, and farm work.

It happens on rare occasion that a student and teacher dynamic is not conducive to a child's learning trajectory. When this occurs, everyone works purposefully, mindfully, and with utmost sensitivity to improve the relationship between student and teacher.

The Summerfield Waldorf faculty are extraordinarily motivated to meet the child where they are to foster a lifelong curiosity for learning and personal growth. Parents are often surprised to learn that a teacher often understands their child as well as they do.

We encourage ongoing communication throughout the school year between the parent and teacher to understand the academic and social wellbeing of their child. Parent-Teacher conferences are held regularly, and this is the ideal forum to address questions and concerns. Parents also receive written student assessments from their children’s teachers one to three times per year, depending on the grade level.

If a situation between a student and teacher cannot be resolved with the parent/teacher loop, then our Section Coordinator is the next resource. In some instances, the All-School Director will engage with the parents and teacher in developing a plan to remedy the situation at hand.