Water's Edge Waldorf School

My daughter struggled mightily in private and public school from kindergarten through 6th grade. We had a legitimate concern that she may ""never"" graduate grade school. Summer classes, hours of daily homework, an IEP, and numerous parent-administration meetings were not enough. Something had to change. After 6th grade, the decision was made to enroll her in Water's Edge Waldorf School. WOW! What a transformation. After just two years, her academic comfort level increased and her confidence skyrocketed. Today, as she prepares to graduate high school, she has been accepted to two colleges. I am absolutely confident my daughter would not be in the position she is in today without the Water's Edge academic experience. Her two years at Water's Edge has been truly life transforming. My only regret is that we didn't find this school years earlier. I highly recommend Water's Edge and Waldorf education. more

If I could go back to school, this is where I want to go. At a Waldorf school the true nature of a child is nurtured and able to shine from preschool into 8th grade. One look at the preschool tells you how different the pace of life is here. For those who want to slow down todays childhood from our society's race to be too old/too aware/too sexy too soon, this is the place. Early grades are a time of wonder and blossoming understanding and the upper grades give the gift of time and depth to really know one's subject, to learn it, know it and love it. more

Parents of gifted kids who are concerned with their children's lack of challenge in the elementary school years should consider a Waldorf school. Without the need for pull-outs or acceleration, gifted kids will be fully engaged in a regular Waldorf classroom. Pros: devoted teachers, great curriculum, healthy balance of mind and body more

Water?s Edge is more than a school for my two children. It is a place where we have found a community of friends and teachers with whom we share a passion for academic excellence in an environment that preserves the children?s innocence, accentuates their creativity and imagination, and inspires a profound reverence for human kind and nature. We embarked on this journey three years ago after informing ourselves about Waldorf education. We are confident that this unique and holistic educational approach is what our children need. I often think and have heard from other parents at Water?s Edge how lucky our children are for being immersed in such a magical and unique program. Many have said that they wish they had had the opportunity to attend a Waldorf school. Everyday I witness how creative and imaginative my daughters have become. They often play and invent or retell stories and songs using simple objects (silks, rocks, wood, water, leaves and soil) both indoors as well as outdoors. We as parents are committed to help and guide our children to develop their full potential in life and face the world with an open mind and heart. This school and its community are without a doubt are best allies to achieve this priceless goal. more

Water?s Edge Waldorf School is a wonderful little school in Wauconda, IL. It was a difficult decision to move our 3 children out of public school, but we have never regretted it. The children are much more relaxed and creative. They actually like to learn. I feel our children are challenged on many levels although stress levels in our house have greatly decreased. The school organized such that the children are exposed to many things such as art, music and foreign language during the day. These were many of the things I wanted for our children that we just didn?t have time for without sacrificing playtime and family time because of homework and other stresses inherent in the public school system. If you are beginning to wonder what your child is doing during the 6? hours they are in school and why you still have so much homework and stressed out kids, take a look at Water?s Edge. We took the plunge and have never looked back. more

In preschool, my daughter got to bake bread, garden, sew, finger knit, spend time in nature and listen to wonderful stories told by the teacher or presented in puppet plays. She ate nutritious snacks that she helped to prepare. She built imaginary worlds with other children and developed excellent social skills. At the time, I did not realize that all of this was actually designed to prepare her academically for a successful grade school experience. She is now in 5th grade at Water's Edge. She is learning German and Spanish, violin and recorder, and she is even knitting socks on 5 needles! Besides this, she is studying ancient civilizations, botany and geometry. She?s a happy child who writes, sings, and performs with confidence, and loves learning. The Waldorf philosophy of ""the right thing at the right time? really pays off. I am so thankful to have found Water?s Edge! Pros: small class size, large, natural outdoor play space, integrated arts and academics more

We have 2 children in the grades and 1 in pre-school and are so pleased with the education and enviroment. The children are happy, content and want to go to school each day! The teachers are wonderful in who they are and as educators. I love recommending this school, it is the type of education I wish I could have had myself! more

We have found a welcoming Waldorf community here at Water's Edge. We have started our journey in the Parent/Child class, but already have found teachers that have inspired and families that will be lifelong friends. more

Great teachers trained in the Waldorf tradition, wonderful learning environment that allows children to grow and learn at thier pace. more

Our children have attended Water's Edge for 5 years. Their experiences have inspired them to excel academically and have a real love of learning. They have been taught Spanish and German since Grade 1, been encouraged to play outside, been musicians since they were in preschool and have a reverence for life that I don't see in our culture as often as I wish. If you want to have your children exceed and love school- this is the place. more