The Waldorf school: advantages and disadvantages

Founding and mission statement of the Waldorf school

The first Waldorf school was opened in 1919 by the Austrian Rudolf Steiner in the cigarette factory “Waldorf-Astoria” in Stuttgart. Steiner’s educational concept is based more on the holistic development of the child’s personality than on pure knowledge transfer, with theory and practice being closely linked. In Waldorf schools, not only subjects such as mathematics and German are taught, but also artistic-creative and practical subjects such as theater and carpentry.

Waldorf school concept

Waldorf schools are autonomous institutions that work independently of state and church. In this way, they can independently design their curricula and methods. Therefore, it differs from a regular state school in the following points in particular:

• No sitting down: Waldorf school pupils stay in the same class up to the twelfth grade, so they can neither sit down nor skip a class. In this way, students at different performance levels should support each other, work through and consolidate what they have learned.
• Textbooks and computers: As a rule, textbooks are not used until middle school. Dealing with electronic media is also not planned up to the eleventh or twelfth grade. The aim is to intensify the teacher-student relationship and to make more direct sensory experiences possible for the students.
• Internships: Several internships are planned during the school years, for example in agricultural and social areas. This is intended to facilitate professional orientation and acquire social skills.
• Grading: Depending on the Waldorf school, there are no grades until the eighth or tenth grade. Achievements are assessed through individual report certificates that describe both the learning progress and the talents of the child. At the request of the parents or the student, an additional grade report can also be prepared for the text certificate. From the upper grades, a number certificate is always handed out so that the students are not disadvantaged in the later job market.
• Qualifications: After twelve years, the students can obtain a “Waldorf qualification”, which, however, is not a state-recognized qualification. Waldorf schools therefore also grant the option of completing state school qualifications such as the intermediate school leaving certificate, with the procedures and regulations varying depending on the federal state and Waldorf school. Waldorf schools often have a 13th school year that specifically prepares for the Abitur. The exams themselves usually have to be taken externally at a state school. Depending on the Waldorf school, however, there is also the option of conducting the Abitur examination internally under the supervision of the school authorities.

Lessons at the Waldorf School

The Waldorf school relies on an education that, in addition to the classic school material, also promotes the creativity and social skills of the students from the very beginning. Therefore, the lessons are divided into a main lesson, the so-called “ epoch lessons ”, and the subject lessons :

• Epoch lessons: Here, subjects such as German, mathematics and history take place as block lessons. This means that certain learning content is dealt with intensively and consistently. An epoch usually lasts four weeks and includes two hours of instruction per day. This allows teachers and students to focus on a specific topic and better internalize learning content. For each lesson, the Waldorf students also prepare a mostly artistically designed “epoch booklet”, which is used, among other things, by the teachers to assess their performance.
• Subject lessons: Subjects that require constant practice are taught here, such as foreign languages ​​and arts and crafts subjects. Great importance is attached to the latter, as they contribute to the creative and personal development of the children. That is why there are often subjects such as gymnastics, handicrafts, gardening, bookbinding or eurythmy in Waldorf schools. Eurythmy is an independent art field of the Waldorf school. She teaches the students ways to translate music and speech into rhythmic movements. The subject is intended to promote a sense of body and space, communication skills and social skills in the students.

While the arts and crafts subjects are usually taken on by subject teachers, the lesson classes are held by the class teacher. He accompanies his class from the first to the eighth school year. During this period he gets to know his students very well and can respond to their individual needs and performance.

Are there any prerequisites for attending a Waldorf school?

In principle, any child can be admitted to a Waldorf school, regardless of their social, religious or financial background. Children with learning disabilities also receive individual support here. Your child does not have to be particularly artistically talented to be able to attend a Waldorf school. Nevertheless, they should enjoy creative activities, as these form a focal point in Waldorf education.

Waldorf school – an alternative for your child?

In addition to the Waldorf school, there are other alternative school systems in Germany, such as the Montessori school . There are also more and more alternatives for kindergarten children. For example, there are over 500 Waldorf kindergartens in Germany .

Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself whether a Waldorf school suits you and your child. Find out well about the locations and offers of the surrounding schools and compare the advantages and disadvantages. This will help you make an appropriate choice.