Rudolf Steiner

I found the school to be very friendly but was surprised to find that they did not offer, nor seem to believe in providing support services to students with different learning styles/needs. My child was able to work with an outside specialist to make up for this, but note that the emphasis on educating the "whole child", and learning as "an artistic process" is NOT a euphemism for "we work with kids with learning issues." Very warm faculty though, and I truly enjoyed getting to know the families in this school--very community oriented.

Steiner looks good much better than it is, and although it may have something to offer to completely art-oriented students, whose parents are not particularly unconcerned about their intellectual development. Although some parents are quite active in the school, it seemed to me that they won their positions by being very conformist. A frequent comment made to me by parents was that they were surprised that Steiner did not foster or support much intergenerational activity with the class and parents. Parents were welcomed of course in the minimum of spectator-type activities--viewing a science fair or a play, also in lending their talents to making these productions look better through working on costumes or scenery. "Class representatives" to the Parents Association ....are picked by the respective class teachers. Kind of like having union leaders picked by the employers! Being with the same small group of kids year after year could be good for some kids, but it produces a tight bond that becomes a bit dysfunctional. For some robust, politically-oriented, artistic, or busy families who don't want to be involved at all, it may be appropriate. Since you will have the same teacher for more than one year, rapport is absolutely critical.