City Editor Katie here. 👋 I recently toured Richmond Waldorf School, a local independent school that is celebrating 25 years of educating young Richmonders at their location on Robin Hood Rd. just past the Diamond. Waldorf is an educational philosophy dedicated to driving kids' passion in arts, the outdoors, and friendship in a family-like environment for preschoolers up through 8th grade.

While we’re a bit too old to apply, we talked with staff members and administration about how you, your student, or a parent you know can try this alternative to public schooling.

What we tried:

Parents line up for drop-off around 8:15 a.m., where students file in through these double doors. | Photo by the RICtoday team

I toured the school with Rachel Davis, the school’s Marketing & Advancement Specialist who has been with Waldorf for three years. A signature of Waldorf education is their focus on the student-teacher relationship. Teachers typically teach the same group of ~20 students from 1st grade through their graduation in the 8th grade.

Waldorf students don’t use textbooks and build their own through daily individualized notes into a portfolio. | Photo by the RICtoday team

Computer screens are hard to find here, as each classroom is specifically designed to foster learning in a hands-on, natural way. No textbooks either. Students in all grades will create portfolios of lessons to keep at the end of the year instead of being graded or taking traditional exams.

I checked in on Main Lesson with the sixth graders, who were building part of their portfolios about the Renaissance + all the advancements and achievements in math, sciences, and art.

Rachel even let me check out their woodworking workshop, where creativity can blossom with weekly or semester-long projects led by their on-staff woodworking instructor.

What not to miss:

Students work on their skills in the classroom — and on the pavement. | Photo provided by Richmond Waldorf School

The biking trails behind the school’s playground give the children early access to learning on two-wheels during their weekly biking class, but are also an example of these kinds of activities beyond school hours. Teachers and staff told us that field trips often cover several days, such as last year’s bike ride all the way up to Pennsylvania. Others involve overnight camping or a recent trip to the Spikenard Bee Sanctuary with the 5th-grade class.

Glenn Amey, RWS's biking instructor, will teach offroad biking on this track. | Photo by the RICtoday team

What we’re still talking about:

Music is a major part of the RWS curriculum. It’s incorporated into nearly every school day for students of all ages, with string instruments being introduced in the 4th grade. Every student 4th through 8th grade is matched with a string instrument and practices multiple times a week.

Students interact with a beehive at Spikenard Bee Sanctuary in Floyd, VA. | Photo provided by Richmond Waldorf School

Connecting with the outdoors is also high on the list of priorities for Waldorf staff. The playgrounds and bike track surrounding the building are always full of students and teachers, who are involved in the kids’ play and imagination.

The soft colors + natural light create an almost home-like learning environment. | Photo by the RICtoday team

Even the way the hallways are painted are in line with Waldorf aesthetics – it’s a treatment called lazure. The watercolors, painted by artist Charles Andrade, fade one into the next. Not one wall is a beige or white.

How you can experience this:

RWS is hosting an Admissions Open House on Sat., Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. for those interested in the Early Childhood program, and 11 a.m. if you’re curious about the 1st-8th Grade program. RSVP here.

The public can check out the campus, shop with local gift vendors + get a feel for the community at the school’s upcoming Holiday Faire, coming up Sat., Dec. 3 from 3-6 p.m. Throughout the year, informational tours for parents and guardians can be arrangedwith staff.

Interested in applying?Applications for the 2023-24 school year are due in January (contact Admissions about the current school year). Tuition fees vary depending on the student’s age + program, and the school offers a robust financial aid program.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Richmond Waldorf School
Price: Tuition varies by grade; Enrollment fee $200
Website: richmondwaldorf.com
Address: 1301 Robin Hood Rd., Richmond, VA
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube*