Contact

Detroit Waldorf School

Independent Waldorf School

Address: Charis Calender, Enrollment & Outreach Director
2555 Burns Avenue
Detroit, MI 48214

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Telephone: 313.822.0300

http://www.detroitwaldorf.org

Information:

Practice/Mission/Vision Statement

The gift of a Waldorf education to each child is in turn a gift to the world. What does Waldorf do that is so special?It delivers an unrivaled education in a way that leaves children happy, healthy and grounded. Children learn in a natural, experiential and age appropriate manner and when they graduate they are fresh, energetic, creative and ready to face the next level of challenges.

While other schools inundate their students with as much information as possible at the earliest age possible, Waldorf works with the brain's natural development, thereby without the stress and burnout our society has come to expect.

The teachers at Detroit Waldorf are committed to the highest academic standards. At our school, you will find children quoting Shakespeare, performing Latin canticles, writing textbooks of Euclidean geometry, and building simple motors in physics. You will also find every third grader playing the violin. You will find art in textbooks of all subjects. But most importantly, you will find children with a connection to humanity and a love for life.

Specialties and Services

  • Parent - Tot Classes
  • Nursery - K (part-time and full-time programs)
  • Grades 1-8

Professional Degrees/Credentials/Certifications/Licenses

  • State of Michigan Department of Child Care Licensing
  • Accredited by Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
  • Accredited by Independent School Association of the Central States

Affiliations

  • Independent School Association of the Central States Association of Waldorf Schools of NA
  • Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
  • Association of Independent Michigan Schools

About

The question behind the teaching methods of most schools is this: How can the child accumulate the most information possible at the earliest age possible? Waldorf does not come from this mindset. All children grow through predictable developmental phases and Waldorf works with these natural phases, maximizing the learning process at every step. Waldorf's rich and varied curriculum includes rigorous academic work as well as rich artistic experiences, all of which are appropriate to the age of the child. This fully integrated approach to education engages the child's head, heart and hands. Waldorf schools invest in human development, not simply brain development.

After much work, attracting prospective students and teachers, the school needed a home. Central Methodist Church was a prime location but it required an impassioned speech from an African-American parent, Junius Harris, to convince the board of the church to allow the school to open there. He reminded the members of the church that, as white parents, they had many choices for where their children could be educated, but asked the question "Where are the school choices for my children?" His fiery speech carried the day and the Detroit Waldorf School opened as a Nursery school. Only one year later, Dr. Wilhelm acted on the opportunity to purchase our present school building, where the first classes were held in September of 1966.

In Practice/Business Since

1966

Client Ages Served

Infant - Grade 8