Testimonials

 Do you wonder, Waldorf parent? When the neighbors are bragging about how their child is reading in Kindergarten and yours is making fairy homes, do you wonder? When the child across the street is checking her homework on the school’s website and your third grader is dancing around the maypole, do you wonder? Do you sit and wonder, was Waldorf education the right choice? When the tiger mothers roar their battle hymn of hard work, repetition, and accomplishment, do you wonder whether your child will be left behind? We all have doubts at times, and it may seem like your choice of education is a leap of faith.

When you wonder, look no further than Finland. In the April 11, 2011 issue of Time Magazine, in an article entitled Finnishing School, the author describes a group of 9 year old students in Helsinki learning math. The students, who are in a clearing behind their school, are sitting back to back. They arrange pine cones, sticks and berries in to shapes on the ground. The arrangers must describe the arrangements using geometric terms so the kids who can’t see them can say what they are. Their teacher notes that by conceptualizing math in this fashion, rather than with pencil and paper, the concepts go right to the brain. In Finland, the same teacher stays with the class from first to sixth grade. Finns do little or no testing, as they believe it does no good. In Finland, the school day is shorter than the U.S. Students get no more than an hour of homework, one teacher noting “these kids have a life.” School rules include no ipods or cell phones at school. Competition among students isn’t important. Everybody is average but the average is very high.

It hasn’t always been this way in Finland. Since the 1960′s the Finns have experimented with various education systems. The present system, however, has delivered spectacular results. In four global surveys, the Finns have placed in the top three in reading, math and science. The U.S. has placed 15th.  Finland puts money into educating its teachers, requiring high standards and providing good salaries. Teaching colleges in Finland are very selective in admitting teachers.

Do the concepts of experiential education, caring, professional teachers, no testing, honoring childhood sound familiar? Its here at White Mountain Waldorf School. In the early days of my daughter’s education I wondered and worried. Sometimes sticking with Waldorf seemed like a leap of faith. Now she’s in the 8th grade, and I firmly believe Waldorf was the best decision we’ve ever made for her. Tessa’s 7th grade French project is a clear example of the quality of Waldorf education. She was required to research impressionist painter Camille Pissaro. She had to write a report about his life and recreate one of his paintings. This was not a simple book report, but a full project that involved reading, writing, interpretation of her research and a recreation of her subject’s work. In her drawing, I saw the full value of her Waldorf education. Luminous colors and hues, caught the true feel of impressionist art. Tess isn’t an artist, she’s had no formal training and she admits herself that she isn’t great at drawing. Yet her drawing was far beyond what most children her age could do without real art classes. This is what Waldorf has done for her. She has been drawing in every subject since first grade. Now, she isn’t just writing about an impressionist, she’s creating impressionist art. She’s learning how the artist projects his image and mixes his colors to transmit the emotion of the moment he’s caught on canvas. You can’t get that by reading about him on the internet.

In Finishing School, the author notes that the world has taken notice. Educators from the U.S. and other countries are traveling to Finland to learn its secrets. Yet the secret is right next door, at your local Waldorf school. Do you wonder? I don’t anymore.

 Barb Alkalay

“I love the focus on nature, being outside, healthy food, the rhythm of the seasons and play as work for pre-schoolers.”

On the morning of Friday, March 18, 2011, I attended the 7/8 grade dress rehearsal of Lady Eleanor, at Salyards Center for the Arts in Conway, NH. The play was written by Eugene Schwartz, a Green Meadow Waldorf School teacher and consultant, regarding the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Even though it was only the dress rehearsal, I was truly blown away by the performances.The students presented the material  in a manner that affirmed to me not only the amount of time each of them spent on memorizing lines, but the richly complex curriculum that the class has been exposed to throughout the year as well. These talented kids weren’t just reciting lines; it was evident that they were knowledgeable enough about the historical facts to represent the lives of the people they were portraying.I was truly surprised and amazed that I was watching 7^th and 8^th graders.

As a parent of a Waldorf 1^st grader, observing this dress rehearsal was such complete confirmation that I made the right choice in sending my child to the White Mountain Waldorf School.

Why Waldorf Matters
By Charles Greenhalgh, WMWS parent

A few weeks ago I attended a lecture presented by Kim John Payne and sponsored by White Mountain Waldorf School (WMWS). Mr. Payne, an engaging and eloquent speaker, held the audience’s rapt attention for nearly two hours. For those who missed it, it was taped and will be broadcast on Valley Vision.

Mr. Payne’s subject matter, curbing school bullying, couldn’t have been more timely. Tragic stories of bullying, and more specifically cyber-bullying, have become commonplace in the media. This subject has generated cover stories in national publications such as Time and Newsweek. Mr. Payne’s experience and education was apparent from his lecture. He has studied and applied his knowledge in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and throughout the United States. In his lecture he drew on examples from his experience with inner city children as well as children attending school in middle and upper class areas. It would be impossible for me to recount, with any accuracy, the full content or details of Mr. Payne’s presentation. Suffice it to say, however, he presented a compelling and convincing case for his approach to the issue of bullying.

White Mountain Waldorf School brought this enlightening speaker to Mt. Washington Valley. This lecture was attended by Waldorf School parents and faculty, but also parents and faculty from local public schools. The content of Mr. Payne’s presentation will continue to be available to others through rebroadcast on TV and on DVD from Valley Vision in North Conway. Although there has been much discussion about bullying in our local media and in school groups, only the White Mountain Waldorf School has brought the insight and experience of an international expert to our community.  WMWS has had Mr. Payne provide training to faculty and parents and has begun to implement his programs. This is because in our school community, education, in a safe nurturing environment, comes first and foremost.

Several years ago, I was involved in the Capital Campaign to build our school. I knew that when I was asking for donations, I would have to answer a question like: “Why should I support Waldorf School when I pay taxes to support public schools?” It’s a hard question to answer and I gave it a lot of thought. I decided to use this reply:

Having a variety of educational options available in Mount Washington Valley doesn’t detract from any one option, but enhances our educational system as a whole. Waldorf education isn’t for everybody, nor is public education. But having both available strengthens the whole educational experience in our community. When there are both public and private educational alternatives available, it shows that our community cares about education. When a community supports education, people see it as a great place to raise a family. Having a great educational community will attract businesses, professionals and entrepreneurs, who then create opportunity for others.

During Mr. Payne’s lecture, I realized that I was right. The educational culture at WMWS created the opportunity to bring Mr. Payne’s perspective and approach to addressing bullying to all schools in this community. It also provided that opportunity to the wider community, which can only benefit from this knowledge.

Everyone in our community will continue to benefit from the education provided at WMWS. All of our families will be better for it. That’s why Waldorf education matters in Mount Washington Valley.

The following is a letter to the editor of the Conway Daily Sun dated Wednesday, December 30, 2009.

I applaud staff, students at Waldorf School

To the editor:

Twice in the last couple of weeks, we have ventured north to attend functions sponsored by the White Mountian Waldorf School.  Your area is incredibly fortunate to have this amazing school in Albany.  As a retired educator, I can quickly assess the high levels of nurturing, academics and wholesomeness which emanate from every classroom.  As a group, these children are the best behaved, most polite and gracious kids I have ever seen.  In an assembly they are silent immediately just by hearing a clap of hands by their teacher (no easy feat for primary school students).

Their music, artwork and academic achievement is beyond belief for such very young people.  To hear fourth graders individually performing a skit in German; to watch a beautiful, creative seasonal play put on by second graders, and to hear small children signing intricate harmonies and rounds beautifully is almost mind boggling.  This classical European type of education was unknown to me until one of my grandchildren started there six years ago.

At first I was skeptical, but no more.  The students learn difficult hands-on mathematical concepts at a very young age.  They learn about their environment (natural science) by observation thus getting first hand insights. 

They learn about the ancient cultures of the world very early.  The arts programs speak for themselves.  In the music program all students learn to play the recorder, and fourth graders start a stringed instrument.  There is a scheduled handwork program.  It is a fact that handwork and music skills improve math ability. 

In these days of anger and suffering, the environment going to wreck and ruin, and American schools falling by the wayside in the world, it is so heartening to know that some children are getting the finest education there is available.  I applaud the staff and students (and their families) at the White Mountain Waldorf School.  You make our world a better place.

Wendy Palm

Wolfeboro