innovating
tradition
since 1919
Waldorf education began over a century ago and now spans a global network of more than 1,000 schools. Chicago Waldorf School has carried that work forward since 1974 — a Pre-K through 12th grade education, developmentally unfolded and academically rigorous.
OUR APPROACH
THE METHOD
BEHIND THE MODEL
At Chicago Waldorf School, learning is grounded in firsthand experience.
Our approach is rooted in Waldorf education, which has been innovating tradition since 1919, applying time-tested practices to develop the capacities today’s world demands: work ethic, a sense of wonder, and the wisdom of critical thinking. In practice, this can look like a fraction lesson beginning with a chalk drawing, a first grader learning to knit, and an intentionally screen-free classroom. Students engage with each subject directly and demonstrate mastery through applied work.
Art, music, and movement are integrated across the entire curriculum. This multimodal instruction engages several senses and modes of thinking at once, which supports deeper comprehension, longer retention and social-emotional development. Research also connects hands-on, physically engaged learning with stronger attention, problem-solving and executive function, foundations for sustained academic growth.
A DEVELOPMENTAL ROADMAP
Our curriculum evolves with each student’s developmental stage, offering the right balance of academic rigor, curiosity, creativity, and meaningful challenge at every level.
EXPLORE HOW LEARNING UNFOLDS FROM ONE STAGE TO THE NEXT BELOW.
ask about our
family individualized tuition
Tuition works on a variable model: every family may apply annually for a Family Individualized Tuition (FIT) amount, built to welcome an ever-wider array of families from across the city and the world.
CWS BY THE NUMBERS
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