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Discover Green Meadow Waldorf School

THE WALDORF DIFFERENCE

Honoring the Unfolding Child

Nearly 100 years ago, at a time when the First World War had profoundly impacted so many, Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner worked with factory owner Emil Molt to create the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart, Germany. The goal? To educate children to be clear-thinking, compassionate, and conscientious adults that could look at the world in complex ways, to avoid future instances of the kind of devastating conflict the world had just witnessed. Steiner’s pedagogy that centered around reverence for and deep observation of how we as human beings naturally develop. Today, across the globe, more than 1000 Waldorf schools are flourishing, founded on engaging, interdisciplinary, thoughtfully integrated classes and experiences.

Cutting Edge for 100 Years

Some of what used to be unique to Waldorf schools is now cutting-edge pedagogy in public and independent schools: block-style learning, teacher looping, multidisciplinary instruction (and its impact on neurological development), character education, a recognition of the importance of play and movement throughout the day (and throughout life), outdoor education, and teaching that engages different learning styles and acknowledges multiple intelligences.

An Uncommon Core

Time in school should be a process of discovery, not time spent learning to take a test. GMWS is an independent school, accredited by NYSAIS, AWSNA, and WECAN, and does not administer standardized tests. In the Lower School, an open dialogue with parents is established through conferences. In High School, grades are assigned and students take the SAT/ACT as part of the college admissions process. Our graduates enter selective, top-tier undergraduate and graduate programs at colleges and universities around the world.

Festivals: Celebrating Diverse Traditions

Throughout the year, we come together as a school community to mark the passage of the seasons and reflect on the idea that what happens in the world outside, also happens within each of us. Through these experiences, students develop an understanding and respect for the diverse cultures of the world and celebrate our common humanity, need for ritual, connection to the seasons, and the universal urge to mark the passage of time by celebrating together.

a unique private school

Green Meadow Values

Pink flowers in front of building.

The Spiritual Component

The identity of every Waldorf school is profoundly affected by the spiritual values at the core of Waldorf pedagogy. The faculty, whose members come from different faiths and philosophies, draws on Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy for its insight into human development and its grounding in the spiritual core of Christianity, without a denominational character. Green Meadow is dedicated to serving children of all backgrounds, and our curriculum is rich in the teachings of the many great religious, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of the world. No religious or devotional services of any kind are offered.

An International Community

A Green Meadow education is a global education. We host a diverse international population -particularly in our High School- which includes visiting students on language-based exchanges from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries, as well as international students from countries around the world, including Burundi, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, the People’s Republic of China, and Switzerland.

Green Meadow Waldorf School is one of about 300 Waldorf Schools in the United States and approximately 1,000 Waldorf Schools internationally. Rather than teaching to the test or adhering to Common Core standards, the Waldorf curriculum fosters independent, critical thinking and problem solving, develops ethics and morality, and promotes true joy in learning.

Affordable for All Ages

As one of the few area Waldorf schools with a high school, we currently have about 285 students in Nursery through Twelfth Grade. We offer a Parent & Child program for babies and toddlers from birth to age three, and a dynamic Community Education Series that engages and supports parents and brings members of the larger community onto our campus in Rockland County. As a private school dedicated to inclusion, Green Meadow Waldorf School (GMWS) takes very seriously our mission to provide a Waldorf Education for all who desire it. We strive to keep our costs reasonable through careful planning and good stewardship of resources. Through our Scaled Tuition model, GMWS is proud to be able to provide a high-quality independent school education at a tuition that’s within reach of a range of families. Nearly half of GMWS families receive Scaled Tuition.

Support for Working Families

We offer an affordable and flexible After-School Program that serves children in Nursery through Lower School. The program runs until 6pm every day and is also offered on most school holidays and breaks. Athletics and extracurriculars round out our academic program and give students additional options after school. NYC busing makes us accessible to a diverse range of families.

Dedicated, exceptional Waldorf teachers

Our faculty members come from diverse educational backgrounds. They comprise a mix of seasoned, maturing, and new teachers. Some are certified Waldorf teachers, while others are at the beginning of their Waldorf training. Faculty receive generous support for professional development, as well as ongoing mentoring and other resources.

inspiring students for life

Three Pillars

The essence of Waldorf education is the understanding that every child goes through three distinct phases of development. Each of these stages requires a different approach in order to meet and engage the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs of the growing child. Waldorf education is based on three pillars: goodness, beauty, and truth.

What is Waldorf Education?

Infancy and Early Childhood (0-7)

During Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten), we nurture and affirm children's sense that the world is good.

Middle Childhood (7-14)

In the Lower School and Middle School, we help children see the beauty in the world as part of an innovative, rich, holistic elementary school education.

Adolescence (14-21)

In High School, we help students discover truth, in the world and in themselves. Students meet a rigorous curriculum that fosters critical thinking and encourages independent analysis, deepens artistic expression, and offers plenty of hands-on, real-world experiences.

Hear From Our Alumni Families

Alumni family page

Class of '89

Stefan Schaefer

Filmmaker

As a Waldorf lifer, I ventured out into 'the real world’ with some trepidation. But I was able to tackle college and graduate work with ease. The breadth of curriculum I’d been exposed to gave me a sense of curiosity and willingness to take risks in my learning that many of my peers lacked.

Class of '89

Dan Feldman

Director at Verizon

In Waldorf Education, we were guided to solve problems creatively vs. memorizing facts. It is this curiosity, creativity, confidence, and awakeness that allows Waldorf students to excel at just about anything they choose to take on.

Class of '95

Agamemnon Otero

CEO, Repowering

I remember painting, drawing, sculpting, book-binding, eurythmy, acting, and poetry with fondness, and math, biology, history, and orchestra with fits of frustration. My teachers supported my development, knowing full well that once a passion for learning is lit, it will burn for a lifetime.

Class of '99

Kirstin Wolfe

DDS

Waldorf Education taught me to solve problems. I attribute that to my ability to be both analytical and compassionate. I also am so grateful for the lifelong connections I have with friends and members of the Waldorf community.

Class of '98 & '99

The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily)

Musicians

One of the most important things that our Waldorf Education gave us is a community of passionate, engaged people. Many of our closest friends are people we met at Green Meadow. They have careers (in the arts, sciences, academia, business, and the military) and a genuine love for their work.

Class of '01

Zaria Forman

Artist

I value so much about my Waldorf Education, it's difficult to chose one thing! The enduring friendships I made, how art was woven through every subject, the attention and care given by the teachers. I will be forever thankful for those very formative years of my life.

Class of '05

Phil Constable

Music Producer (DJ Hardwerk)

Our beloved class teacher and friend, David Blair, taught me the value of never giving up on something because it gets difficult, you don’t like it, or it’s an inconvenience. He taught me that seeing your goals come to fruition after you have faced obstacles makes the victory that much sweeter.

Class of '12

Alex Chin

Graduate Student in Physics

Green Meadow fosters great relationships between teachers and students and allows students to participate in so many different activities. I was able to get my first job in college, building sets for the theater department, because of the work we did on high school plays at GMWS.

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Green Meadow is transforming education, and we want your family to join us in our mission.

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