As a parent with a child that was in grade 2 and 3 at Richmond Waldorf, I can tell you this school constantly looses students once the parents realize their children are not receiving an education that will allow them to successfully matriculate to other schools. My child came in to RWS after attending kindergarten and first grade at a nationally recognized Virginia school district. She was on target for math and above grade in reading. After a year and a half, her math and reading skills declined. She didn't learn anything of real substance in history or science.
Waldorf is based on unproven ideas of a man Ruldof Steiner, who didn't have children or an education in either early childhood education or child psychology. Steiner's decision to teach reading in second grade is based on children loosing baby teeth, not any concrete studies on child reading readiness.
Student evaluations is like reading an astrological chart, with statements like ""not fully reincarnated in body"", instead of useful evaluations on academic progress. You, as the parent, will never be told by RWS whether your child is doing well academically or not. There is no quantitative evaluation, no recording of grades.
The children do not have modern school aids (handouts, workbooks, worksheets). Instead, the students copy black boards full of teacher written narratives and a drawing that the students must copy. This comprises of the ""main lesson"", which is usually a myth or from the bible, rather than real history or real science.
There are better private schools here in Richmond that have real certified teachers that will teach your child to read, write and a solid foundation and mastery of math.
Please do not send your child to this school.
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