The Waldorf School of Garden City

Our triplet daughters, currently in 10th grade, have been at The Waldorf School of Garden City since pre-school. The teachers are the most dedicated group of educators you will ever meet. They encourage our children how to think, not what to think, how to see, not what to see. They work with us as parents to help our children gracefully come into their fullest potential. A respect for each other’s individuality is encouraged. There is a strong sense of belonging to a community here - it is like a second home.

Yesterday, my daughter ,a kindergartner, and I were treated to the 10th grade play, The Little Prince. The production demonstrated the results of the Waldorf curriculum. The Little Prince is a philosophical story that can be understood on many levels, but the production was so beautifully conceived. The silks my daughter have been playing with at the school since she was two years old were now being used to depict a desert. The water color paintings she has been making now represented a sunrise and sunset. The branches she collects on the nature trail were now being held by the students to represent trees.
The wonderfully artistic and meaningful play inspired me to write a review of the school and community that I have entrusted with the education of my loving daughter. I can't wait for her slow, lovely journey to lead to her own Little Prince where it will all come together for her as it did for the students on stage at yesterday's performance. Great job and what an amazing school!

I have been a parent of a child who began her school career at The Waldorf School of Garden City as a three year old and now she is in sixth grade. The connection between our natural world, child development and academics is brought into a daily reality. We have been so fortunate to be able to be part of this institution. The school itself sits on a lovely property with several play yards as well as a nature trail. Our experience with the faculty has been one of mutual respect and willingness to encourage each child to reach their heart's and mind's potential. The curriculum is introduced and taught in a way that connects each child to the outside world in a way that meets them intrinsically. Math, science, language and arts are all part of the daily routine. Ultimately my daughter is receiving a well rounded liberal arts education.

This is a school that honors a child on all levels - mentally, emotionally, physically and academically - literally as a whole being, and not just on a intellectual level. We are so happy to have found a school that is in alignment with our beliefs.
We know that our children are being supported wholistically at school just as they are at home.
This educational paradigm is focused on guiding a child to be a person - not just a straight A student; to be a leader; and to make a difference in the world they are about to live in.
And for that alone, it is worth every penny and more..

I love the philosophy of the school. It is not what is taught, but how it's taught that makes a difference. Lessons are taught by capturing a child's imagination and engaging their bodies in a multi-faceted, multi-sensory approach through stories, art, and music, among other things. The content and environment is geared towards what a child needs for his or her development at that age, for a nursery child needs something different from a high school senior. There are no formal academics in the pre-school, but by high school, the program is extremely rigorous and demanding. The amazing qualities the children are developing may not be obvious in the lower grades, but by high school, it becomes clear how confident, articulate, courteous, well rounded, and able to think independently they are. New families often notice this when they tour the school with a high school student during an open house. Being outdoors is also very important. The children go outside everyday, even in the rain or snow, unless it is pouring or frigid - rain gear and snowsuits are a must! The student body is truly diverse and it is a close knit community. The school is a great place, but like all schools, it is run by people, and the teachers are human too, so not everything is always perfect but for me, what counts is that this is a place where everyone strives towards an ideal.