
“When what we introduce into the children’s world of ideas and feelings is in line with the direction of the developmental forces of a given stage of life, we strengthen the entire developing person in a way that remains a source of strength throughout that person’s life.”
—Rudolf Steiner
Waldorf pedagogy leads students to engage with the curriculum on many levels. Lessons balance cognitive and emotional intelligence with physical activity where each assignment integrates academic work with fine and practical arts.
Grade 6
The curriculum of the sixth grade offers support and nourishment for the adolescent child in the midst of the changes and self-consciousness of puberty. Observation is emphasized as a balance to the natural pull of asserting one’s own judgment, opinion, preference and expectation of the world. The curriculum [...]
Grade 7
The 7th graders enjoy an intensive study of the Renaissance, which brings all previous cultural achievements to a glorious flowering and ushers in a new age of wide scientific inquiry and exploration. The students enthusiastically dive into this exploration and take this energy into their own [...]
Specialty Subjects
Waldorf Education weaves the arts, music and movement into the fabric of every student’s daily life. Waldorf’s rich and varied curriculum includes rigorous academic work as well as engaging artistic and practical experiences, all of which are appropriate to the age of each child. Beyond the [...]
Grade 1
The first grader makes a great transition from the Early Childhood program to a more formal learning environment in grade school. Much learning takes place through activity and imitation. During this year, students will acquire the good habits of classroom life that will carry them through [...]
Grade 4
While the third grade curriculum helped the child to reconnect to the world around them through practical studies and activities, the fourth grade curriculum helps the child orient themselves in space and time through a study of local geography. Fourth grade students possess the solid academic [...]
Grade 5
Fifth grade marks a pivotal point in the curriculum. While the students begin the year with studies of the mythologies of several ancient cultures, they transition away from mythology into history with the biography of Alexander the Great. They will wrestle with ethical question of his [...]
Middle School Faculty:
Ania Kubik
Grade 6-8 – Shady Chaparral Trees

Ania Kubik is a Waldorf-trained class teacher whose specialties are arts and handwork, and whose special interest is in movement. She…
Elementary School Faculty:
Miriam Jones
Grade 1 – Redbud Trees
Teacher

Miriam Jones earned her B.A. in English at Bryn Mawr College and her M.F.A. in Puppetry and Integrated Media from CalArts.
Barbara (Bobbie) Gonzales
Grade 2 – Sequoia Trees
Teacher

Bobbie Gonzales was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has a BA in Human Development with an emphasis on Child…
Jewel Nicholson
Grade 3 – Laurel Trees
Teacher

Jewel Nicholson was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She has a BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in photography…
Basil Hernandez
Grade 4 – Palm Trees

Basil Hernandez was part of the first graduating class at the Chicago Waldorf School and went on to get his BA in Biology…
Paola Schouten
Grade 5 – Willow Trees

Paola Schouten was born, raised and educated in the Netherlands. She was exposed to the Waldorf Festivals since childhood…