Waldorf school - Definition

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Waldorf Schools were developed for Emit Molt of the Waldorf Astoria Tobacco Company in 1919 by Rudolf Steiner. They employ a curriculum that addresses subjects on three levels: the intellect (as in lectures), the heart (as in the artistic and feeling aspects of the subject), and the hands (the practical application). The attempt is made to integrate art into all aspects of the curriculum, including the teaching of science. Waldorf schools' pedagogy and practice have often been widely hailed for their creativity and intelligent design, not only by satisfied parents, but by independent educational experts. They have also been criticized for their religious nature, and the Anthroposophy behind it.

According to Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of West Germany, former Waldorf parent, and 1971 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate:

"The advent of the Waldorf Schools was in my opinion the greatest contribution to world peace and understanding of the century".

Kenneth Chenault, the President and CEO of American Express Corporation, who is African American:

"My parents...felt that the Waldorf school would be a far more open environment for African Americans...I think the end result of Waldorf education is to raise our consciousness...It taught me how to think for myself, to be responsible for my decisions. Second, it made me a good listener, sensitive to the needs of others. And third, it helped (me) establish meaningful beliefs".

External links

• Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (http://www.awsna.org/index.html)
• "Waldorf Education . . . An Introduction" (http://www.awsna.org/education-intro.html) by Henry Barnes, at awsna.org
• A list of Waldorf Schools Worldwide (http://www.waldorfschule.info/)
• A list of Waldorf Schools in the US (http://www.awsna.org/education-usa.html)
• Starting a Waldorf School (http://www.awsna.org/awsna-membership.html)
• "Schooling the Imagination" (http://www.southerncrossreview.org/30/waldorf.htm/) by Todd Oppenheimer (a winner of the National Magazine Award for public interest reporting), from a September 1999 Atlantic Monthly article -- a picture of Waldorf education in practice, showing how some minority children do in Waldorf
• Waldorf Education Discussion List (http://www.waldorfworld.net/waldorflist)
• Waldorf Critics (http://www.waldorfcritics.org/)
• Waldorf-Survivors (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Waldorf-survivors-only/)
• Bob and Nancy's Services (http://www.bobnancy.com/) with a link to various Waldorf resources
• Steiner College (http://www.steinercollege.org/)
• An atheist's view (http://www.skepdic.com/steiner.html)
• Wonder Ranch Waldorf Homeschooling Website (http://mysite.verizon.net/res2216j/wonder/)

• Waldorf Resources (http://waldorfresources.org)