Dear readers: disclamer - Julie C's one star review from 2013 has since been found to be about a completely different program. Despite this, Yelp has refused to remove the review until there are enough reviews by reviewers to review? Confused? Me too.. sigh. :) Thankfully, making the choice to send your children Aurora Waldorf School is amazingly simple. I would also add nourishing, beautiful, energizing and healthful for your child and your ENTIRE family. We are blessed with an abundance of good schools in WNY, but not a one comes close to educating the WHOLE child (not just the part that needs to get into a good high school or college). Our son is about to graduate 8th grade with talents, confidence and self-awareness no bubble test could ever hope to quantify. Waldorf kids are from Buffalo (CITY BUS!), Orchard Park, West Seneca, East Aurora, Kenmore and everywhere in between. Waldorf kids go outside EVERY DAY. Waldorf kids learn science and math concepts deeper and more thoroughly - they actually LIVE the lessons. Waldorf kids have music and clay and knitting and woodworking and theater and singing. Waldorf kids enjoy incredible food for lunch. Bottom line, WALDORF KIDS LOVE SCHOOL. read more

I first stepped inside AWS in 2016 with my 2 year old daughter for their weekly Parent/Toddler program. We were met by the smell of fresh bread baking and the cozy, warm colors of fall lined the hallways in student artwork and felted woodland displays. Every staff member and teacher graciously greeted us with a smile as we walked past classrooms of children singing, reciting poetry, dancing and playing recorders. We never let. My now 2nd grader can't wait to get up every morning and get to school. Her favorite part is feeling free outside, hiking to the creek behind the school, finding animal tracks in the snow, sitting under the trees and watching the birds and sky. Inside her favorite classes are Games played in their large gymnasium and Handwork where she has taken great pride in knitting her own doll and adorable animals. The teachers at this school are really like an extension of our family. Trusting my child in the care of a school that educates her mentally, physically, emotionally and individually is the easiest decision I've ever made. read more

Our children have been attending Aurora Waldorf School since they were toddlers. We have been incredibly happy with the quality of teachers and staff that support our children daily. It starts as early as 18 months with the parent tot program where parents attend a class once a week with their child. In this classroom environment we are able to talk about raising a child and what parenting areas we may need advice in. I found it to be very supportive as a new parent. The children then grow into a wonderful nursery class, flourishing to a kindergarten program that focuses on fine and gross motor skills. The children are actively engaged and moving while developing life long skills. They are fully ready when first grade arrives to sit and focus on developmentally appropriate academic skills. It's been a beautiful experience to see my children grow and flourish within this environment. If you have an longing or interest in seeing this school, it's worth your while to take a tour. read more

My daughter has bloomed since she has started at AWS. We were looking for an alternative to the common classroom. We were immediately welcomed to the smell of fresh baking cinnamon bread in her classroom that the kids baked together. This wasn't because a tour was coming through- this is how snack time is done. The kids go outside and experience the elements daily. They express themselves creatively. Since she started she doesn't come home and ask for television- she asks to make arts and crafts or to paint or build. I cannot say enough how beautiful this sort of education is. In addition, the on site chef is AMAZING. they offer take of for lunch/dinner and I bring it home a couple days a week. It's organic and so satisfying. My daughter particularly has loved the curry while my husband and I fight over the last drops of soup every time. We toured several schools. We are so grateful for this opportunity since I realize Waldorf programs are unfortunately, hard to come by. read more

I have 2 children at Waldorf and all I can say is THANK YOU for putting the smiles back on my kids faces! The stress in this world is enough to bury some of the strongest minded adults out there and although these kids will be exposed to this down the road, now is certainly not the time. This school has allowed my children to learn the way a child is supposed to learn and to see the excitement on their faces each day is priceless. It really amazes me to see what kind of life skills they are learning on a daily basis. As far as the teachers, wow, what a special group of people. I am starting to spend more and more time at that school just to see what can be done to make sure the next 25 years are as amazing as the first 25. My kids are actually picking up books and instrument and begging for more projects to do instead of racing directly to the tv. Again, all I can say is thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! read more

The Aurora Waldorf School claims they 'provides a structured academic, practical, physical and artistic curriculum. We foster each student's capacity to become an independent and joyful individual, able to respond to life's challenges and the needs of fellow human beings, with creative intelligence, courage and love." Nothing could be further from the truth. They routinely employ undertrained & underqualified staff. Some of these staff have even abused children and colleagues. They lack the ability and will to accommodate children with special needs, and routinely undermine staff members who dare to question, or try to improve practices and curriculum. On top of all of this, they are dedicated to following the pseudoscience of anthroposophy, and the teachings of a man who died in 1925 (Rudolf Steiner). Do yourself and your child a favor, save your 12k, and send your child to a school, not a cult. read more

I'll admit that I am new to Yelp. So my previous review (my first) did not wind up showing -- guess I had to prove my worthiness to Yelp... So, I am now hoping that my review makes the cut -- especially given the fact that the only other reviewer (at this point) gave the school only one star! She is obviously not familiar with this amazing school. As a parent who wants only the best for my children, I can sleep well at night knowing that they are being taught *the right way* -- rather than simply what gets dictated by the department of education (and whatever educational fad they decide to hook their wagon to {Race to the Top, No Child Left Behind, etc.} The kids that come out of AWS are well-adjusted people -- not addicted to junk food and horrible television. They are good kids who can solve problems. read more

My Son is in the first grade and am so pleased with this school. The curriculum is very similar to the way children are taught in Finland. Less is More. My son is allowed to be a child. The kids don't look at screens, much of the day rain or shine is spent outside, creating love, and respect for nature. The kids learn as they are supposed to based on development. The curriculum is the same as traditional schools, but they integrate artistic activities into those subjects for engaging learning at an emotional level. Rather than bulk-loads of homework for regurgitating answers on a test, the Aurora Waldorf School has developed and will continue to develop many strong, well-rounded human beings with a passion for learning, a reverence for beauty, and the skills to live "their" life with meaning and purpose. read more

This school embodies what education should be. The philosophy behind rich curriculum takes into account the natural development of a child. Age appropriate learning promotes a fun experience for children and ignites the fire within to become a critical thinker and lifelong learner. They teach kids how to think, not what to think. Movement and the arts are integrated into every lesson. Creative thinking and basic social skills are integrated through play in early childhood, and are fostered by imitation of the teacher. The classrooms are simple and beautiful, and teachers are given the responsibility and jurisdiction to teach to the individual child. The most important thing is my kids come home joyful, singing and often dirty from painting and outdoor play. This is how childhood should be! read more

To explain this school in a yelp review is nearly impossible, but here it goes as concise as possible. In an age where education institutions are so incredibly focused on quantity over quality and where rampant bureaucracy reigns supreme, Waldorf is an exception. Simply put, children leave this school with the ability and desire to learn, they do not leave with a head full of "stuff" and an anxious disdain for education. I'm not sure what message the negative review below is even trying to convey but the professionalism and dedication I've witnessed at this school is unrivaled. For the educators and staff at this school, it is not a job, it is a vocation and that is glaringly apparent to me on a daily basis. Do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself. read more

I have two children that attend the Waldorf School and have had an exceedingly positive experience with the school. I value greatly the tremendous connection with the outdoors that the program has. The children spend quite bit of time outdoors, and the outdoors are incorporated in numerous ways into the curriculum. I also very much appreciate that the curriculum is much more focused on learning subjects (math, reading, etc) in many different ways, such that the children have a chance to explore in depth and develop a real understanding of these subjects rather than simply memorizing information. read more

I am deeply grateful for the education our three children received at the Aurora Waldorf School. From delving into great books to producing fabulous annual plays (Shakespeare in grade 8), from hiking alongside the creek to investigating math problems, from carving spoons to knitting socks, from playing stringed instruments to learning to draw, speak German, and juggle...each child was offered a variety of enriching experiences, a deep relationship with a set of wise teachers, and a treasure chest of memories to cherish and interests to develop. read more

Aurora Waldorf provides a trustworthy education that I can count on for our daughter. I never have to worry if she is getting her needs met or being tended to. How the faculty and staff has handled the chaos of COVID has been incredible. Keeping the school open 5 days a week and creatively and successfully continuing business as usual so our children feel as comfortable and tended to. We are so proud to be a part of this wonderful school. read more

I go to this school and that's NOT true. i love my school, and we do lots of great things. I've been going there since 1st grade. That email thing was a PROBLEM! Not something they put all parents through. Maybe this person has totally different taste, but the school doesn't discriminate against certain students. Sincerely, an AWS student read more

An educational philosophy that aligns with and supports natural human development, leadership through example, and teachers and faculty who work with a true love and passion. I implore all parents to visit the school and learn more about this wonderful school. My son has been at AWS for 4 years, and it has been the best investment we have made for him and his future. read more

Watching graduates of Aurora Waldorf School over decades, including my daughter now in her 30's, what stands out is how capable and fearless they are. Seems like they can do anything, and what they can't yet do, they're open and eager to learn. A broad and profound education...we're forever grateful. read more