Anyone know kids who have started Waldorf later?
We've had our daughter in BUSD since kindergarten and overall it's gone well; she's just starting 6th grade now.
We're keeping an eye on how it's going now she's in middle school when social currents begin to change, and will see how the teaching/classes go for this kid who really loves to learn and is frustrated when things slow down for behavioral challenges in the classroom. We're keeping our options open to switch to private in future if it seems like she'd do better. Her older sister did Waldorf K-8 and it was good for her; the 6th grade daughter was just saying wistfully how she thought Waldorf might have been a really good fit for her. Anyone know of kids entering Waldorf as late as 7th grade? And if so, how did that go, integrating with classmates who've been there all along? If this happened it might only be for 7th/8th, since I can't quite see the long trek into SF for Waldorf high school.
Parent Replies
I can share my experience and observations from a couple of years ago. My older son went to Waldorf through 8th grade, and there were maybe 3 kids who joined the class in those last couple of years. My opinion is that the teacher is the one who can make it successful. That teacher would encourage new relationships among the group. I remember my son said, we had to interview a classmate that they didn't know too well, and my son was impressed by all he didn't know about that person. My younger son changed Waldorf schools at 5th grade. It was a rough transition for him, but of course, there were many factors. The teacher was good, but not as experienced as my older son's teacher. She told me "I can't make the kids like your son." My son struggled with the dynamics of the class, looking for his place. It was in the spring, maybe March or April, that things felt settled to him, and he felt he had found his place, and felt content that this class could work for him.
Our daughter also went to BUSD for elementary and she liked it. She did not like King; she felt it was too big, too impersonal and there was not enough connection with the teachers or administration. She started at the East Bay Waldorf School for 7th grade and now is there for 8th. She is very happy there. The work is much more challenging and interesting, her classmates are very open and friendly. They have really bonded well and have a really good time together. There are new students entering each grade and as far as I can see, the students are generally welcoming and happy to have new students join them. It has been a great change for her even for 2 years. Academically she is doing a much higher level of work and it will prepare her for high school. She doesn't want to commute to SF Waldorf either, but she is ready and willing to go to a non-Waldorf high school. Please contact the school and come for a tour. Your daughter will know if it is the right school for her.