The structure of the grade school curriculum is designed to both stimulate and support the developing child, from the imaginative world of fairy tales to the sophisticated and complex concepts operating in modern life. All the academic subjects are taught from the perspective of their historical and cultural origins. The students progress through the eight grades from ancient civilizations to the modern world with an understanding of the connections between individual human effort and the development of culture. The continuity of the curriculum gives the students the capacity for perspective.
In the elementary grades, each class begins with a two-hour Main Lesson period. Planned around a block system that lasts from three to six weeks, the Main Lesson allows for comprehensive study of core academic subjects. The Main Lesson moves from literacy in math and language arts in the early grades to artistic and in depth presentations of the breadth of the scientific disciplines, literature, algebra, and world history in the middle school years.
The students’ day continues with a variety of track classes. Taught by faculty who are specialist in their respective fields, these classes are designed to broaden students’ cultural, social, and practical skills.
Unique to Waldorf schools is the class teacher, who often remains with the class through the journey from first through eighth grade. The relationship that develops between teacher and student over the years parallels the continuity in the curriculum and fosters self-assurance and confidence.