Handwork

Working to transform the materials of the earth fosters inner growth and a sense of well-being in the children. These lessons support and complement other subjects in the school, helping to bring balance and wholeness to the education.

Spanish

Grades 1st-8th have weekly Spanish classes, and Spanish will be added to 7th and 8th in the next 2 years.

The foreign language approach is a carefully designed access to foreign language instruction and acquisition. The approach is based on the idea that the primary purpose of foreign language acquisition is to develop the ability to communicate. Foreign language study also raises one’s social conscience and cultivates an interest in and respect for others. In fact, the School sees foreign language study as a window into the soul of another culture. Because the manner in which we think is expressed through the languages that we speak, we nurture a cultural understanding of other peoples through acquiring their languages.

Woodworking

Woodworking students in grades 5th-8th use traditional hand woodworking tools to start with raw wood and transform it into a useful final product.

Their first product is a simple three legged stool. The students start by using a crosscut saw to cut a round of wood from a trunk. They then split the wood, and use hatchets and draw knives to shape it. They then use foot powered lathes to turn each leg, and then finally assemble their project into their stool.

Music

Music is an important element of the curriculum. According to Rudolf Steiner, the human being is a musical being, and the making of music is essential in experiencing what it is to be fully human. Music in the curriculum awakens and nurtures the deep inner life of the child.

All students enjoy music as part of their daily life at school. Singing and playing both wind and string instruments are established aspects of our music program. First grade students learn to play a Pentatonic recorder and the recorder is played throughout the grades. The class teacher as well as the school’s music teacher work with students in group singing.

In 4th grade, students are taught to play the violin by a trained music teacher. in 5th grade they can choose viola, violin, bass, or cello. In grades 6th-8th students participate in orchestra and choir, and after school they can elect to participate in advanced orchestra.