Quotes

“We shouldn’t ask: what does a person need to know or be able to do in order to fit into the existing social order? Instead we should ask: what lives in each human being and what can be developed in him or her? Only then will it be possible to direct the new qualities of each emerging generation into society. The society will become, what young people as whole human beings, make out of the existing social conditions. The new generation should not just be made to be what the present society wants it to become.”

Rudolf Steiner

Admissions

Grade School Admissions

Below please find detailed instructions and inclusions for the Grade School Admissions Process, Grades 1-8. The application deadline is January 15.


GRADE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS (GRADE 1)

Completed Application Form and Fee – Deadline January 15
A completed application for Grade School applicants will consist of:


  • Application , including parent(s)/guardian(s) narrative.

  • Application fee of $50

  • Optional: Letter of Recommendation from students Early Childhood and/or Kindergarten Teacher. Common Recommendation Forms can be downloaded here and must be mailed directly from the teachers.

Please click here to download a Senior Kindergarten & First Grade Common Recommendation Form.

Interview
The application will be reviewed by an Educational Support Program staff member, the current Grade 1 Class teacher, and the Admissions Director. The Admissions Office will contact the family to let them know if we will schedule an interview. The interview ‘team’ consists of a Grade School teacher, a Eurythmy teacher and/or or an Educational Support staff member and the Admissions Director.

The interview begins with an assessment of the student. The Eurythmy teacher will then take the student into a separate room for a movement exercise to determine if basic developmental milestones have been met. During that time the class teacher and Admissions Director will meet with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss Waldorf curriculum and answer any questions the family may have.

Admission Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the interview team. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a three month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss initial adjustment and identify what is necessary to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition, Tuition Adjustment, Sibling Discount
Please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and tuition adjustment.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, tuition adjustment, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.



GRADE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS/TRANSFER PROCESS (GRADES 2-5)

Completed Application Form and Fee
A completed application for Grade School applicants will consist of:


  • Application , including parent(s)/guardian(s) narrative and signed transcript/records request form(s).

  • Application fee of $50

  • Copies of applicant’s elementary school academic record for the past three years (in most cases this will be provided by student’s current school and is requested by CWS using the records request form). This may also include grades received, standardized test scores, copy of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if relevant, copy of educational evaluation if relevant, and attendance records for the past three years.

  • Letters of recommendation from student’s current class teacher and principal or guidance counselor. Common Recommendation Forms can be downloaded here and must be mailed to us directly by the teacher, principal/head of school or guidance counselor.

Please click here to download the Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 2-5).

Please click here to download the Principal Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 2-5).

Please click here for a downloadable Chicago Waldorf School Application (Grades 2-5).

Interview
The student’s application will be reviewed by at least one Grade School Faculty member and, in some cases, the Educational Support Department. The Admissions Office will contact the applicant’s family to let them know if we will schedule an interview. The interview ‘team’ consists of the Class teacher (the teacher of the class to which the student has applied), a Eurythmy teacher (or another Grade School teacher or educational support staff member) and the Admissions Director.

During the interview the Class teacher will interview and assess the applicant while the parent(s)/guardian(s) either stay in the room and observe or are given a tour of the school by the Admissions Director. The other teachers or staff members present will then take the student into a separate room for either a movement or drawing exercise. During that time that the applicant is out of the room with the Class teacher, the Class teacher and Admissions Director will meet with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss Waldorf curriculum and answer any questions the family may have.

Class Visit
If during the interview we determine that CWS appears to be a good fit for the applicant and family, we will schedule a two-day classroom visit for the applicant. This class visit is an opportunity for the applicant to experience the classroom environment and meet the other students in the class. This also gives the faculty an opportunity to observe the applicant more fully as well as observing the classroom dynamic.

Admission Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the Grade School faculty. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks following the interview and visit or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a three month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss initial adjustment and identify what is necessary to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition, Tuition Adjustment and Sibling Discount
Please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and tuition adjustment.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.



GRADE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS (GRADES 6-8)

Completed Application Form and Fee
A completed application for Grade School applicants will consist of:


  • Application , including parent(s)/guardian(s) narrative and signed transcript/records request form(s).

  • Application fee of $50

  • Copies of applicant’s elementary school academic record for the past three years (in most cases this will be provided by student’s current school and is requested by CWS using the records request form). This may also include grades received, standardized test scores, copy of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if relevant, copy of educational evaluation if relevant, and attendance records for the past three years.

  • Letters of recommendation from student’s current English teacher, Math teacher and the Principal/Head of School. Common Recommendation Forms can be downloaded here and must be mailed directly from the teachers.

Please click here to download the English Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).

Please click here to download the Math Teacher Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).

Please click here to download the Principal Recommendation Form for Grade School Admission (Grades 6-8).

Please click here for a downloadable Chicago Waldorf School Application (Grades 6-8).

Interview
The student’s application will be reviewed by at least one Grade School faculty member and, in some cases, the Educational Support Department and a High School faculty member. The Admissions Office will contact the applicant’s family to let them know if we will schedule an interview. The interview ‘team’ consists of the Class teacher (for the grade to which student has applied), a Eurythmy teacher or another Grade School teacher or Educational Support Staff member), the Admissions Director and, in some cases, a High School faculty member.

During the interview the Class teacher will observe and assess the applicant while the parent(s)/guardian(s) either stay in the room and observe or are given a tour of the school by the Admissions Director. The other teachers or staff members will then take the student into a separate room for a movement or drawing exercise. During that time the Class teacher and Admissions Director will meet with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss Waldorf curriculum and answer any questions the family may have.

Class Visit
If during the interview we determine that CWS appears to be a good fit for the applicant and family, we will schedule a two-day classroom visit for the applicant. This class visit is an opportunity for the applicant to experience the classroom environment and meet the other children. This also gives the faculty an opportunity to observe the applicant more fully as well as observing the classroom dynamic.

Admission Decision and Notification
Admission decisions are made by the Grade School faculty. Notification will be sent in writing within 3 weeks following the interview and visit or as soon as possible once a decision has been made for late or mid-year applicants.

There is a three month probationary period for all new students of the Chicago Waldorf School. This gives the Class teacher and family an opportunity to discuss the student’s initial adjustment and to be certain that everything is in place to ensure a successful transition to our school.

Tuition and Sibling Discount
Please visit the Tuition and/or Affording CWS page(s) for specific information regarding tuition and financial aid.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment or admissions to the School on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administrated programs.