My children have attended EWS for six years. Our family has been so grateful to have found this education option for our children. The school community, shared values and emphasis on humanity has helped our family to flourish in all aspects of family and community life. Waldorf has a unique teacher/student set up. The "main lesson" teachers stay with the class from 1st-8th grade allowing for the student-teacher relationships to grow over a long period of time. This was shocking at first, but has proved to be outstanding. Students also have Movement/Gym, Spanish, Handwork, Eurythmy, Music, Farming, Strings in addition to other specialty teachers throughout their school days and at different grade levels (1-8). Early Childhood is combined ages for Nursery (3-4) and Kindergarten (3-6). High School staff are all specialized in their classes in addition to having guest block teachers. Our kid's teachers invest significant time and effort in the social, emotional growth and development of their students. My children's teachers know them so well. They challenge them academically and artistically because they know what they are capable of all while encouraging them to discover the world around them. In a normal year, the kids have multiple movement and recess breaks throughout the day, they've had additional outside time during COVID as their classrooms have been primarily outside. We have been so grateful for the schools attentiveness and flexibility to attend to the safety and care of students, teachers and staff uniquely, meeting each family's needs the best they could during COVID. It is true that some teachers have been teaching remotely this year (4th & 8th) due to COVID (2020-2021) and their family's medical situations. Students always had a speciality teacher with them on campus. However, the 8th grade teacher (also next year's 1st grade teacher) as of March 2021 is in-person on campus. This was never a secret to families and should not have been a shock(previous review). All faculty, staff and students were given the choice to be in-person or at home this school year and accommodations were made for ALL that needed them. As a board member, Parent Organization member, and parent, I can confirm that communications have been extremely transparent and COVID safety has been of highest concern. As of February 2021, we have not had a single community spread case of COVID within our school. We did not have a single shut down due to case positivity within the school. We delayed in-person school at the beginning of the year (online) and 1-12 was online for most of January 2021 due to safety concerns with community spread in our part of North Carolina. Early Childhood was in-person for most of January. read more

The assessment for admissions process consists of a 20 minute interview with parents, and a 20 minute one dimensional physical assessment by a non-Waldorf trained physical therapist. A sort of "Ubermensch" analysis. No assessment by a trained Waldorf teacher and no interaction with other children, or any of the emotional or cognitive assessment you would expect from a professional organization endowed with cultivating a healthy space for young minds. They do not follow the WECAN standards. Emerson Waldorf also discriminates based on "gender, and temperament" per their admissions department policy. When asked directly on what criteria they base there decisions, generic answers (without supporting evidence) are provided. Answers like "based the needs of the class", which are not specified. This creates a convenient shield to hide implicit bias. Emerson Waldorf continues accepting $75 admissions checks, despite full enrollment (a clear ethical breach). This is significant for many families. Most of their enrollment comes from benefactors, legacy families and children of teachers & staff (no assessment needed). Unfortunately, this Waldorf school is an example of the elitism and inherent bias present in many old-line Waldorf communities, incapable of adapting to the times and instead turning insular, and inward, in an incestuous downward spiral of close-mindedness. If you are considering Emerson, ask around. Many of the rumors are true, unfortunately. This is a community in need of renewal. If you are in the Raleigh-Chapel Hill region, thankfully there are numerous NEW initiatives & schools, working to adapt the best practices of Waldorf education for the 21st century. Search for "raleigh waldorf school" or reach out to me and I would be happy to help! read more

After a 2020 spring of online public school, our family decided to shift to Emerson Waldorf this fall. We were welcomed by a diverse and enthusiastic staff and school community who have been exemplary in their commitment to balancing COVID protocols with the challenge of in-person learning and outdoor classrooms. My three children love to be in school this year and consider their teachers to be some of the best they have ever had. In the wake of the holidays and rising infection cases, the school wisely kept students home and online for three weeks to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved. Despite chilly days since the January break, the children bundle in warm boots, thermals, jackets and masks and the teachers carry on and deliver a first-rate Waldorf educational program. I've been amazed at the speed and responsiveness of the school administration to make all of this work! More than anything, seeing my children bright-eyed and refreshed as they pile in the car at the end of the day is worth every penny. After last spring, I did not know if they would ever look that way again. read more

This is our third academic year at EWS. We currently have a 9th, 7th, and 2nd grader. Our 2nd grader is the only one who has been there since K. We had lots of worries going in especially about anthroposophy and because we are a Black American family. We are very happy with the academic growth and emotional support our children have received at this school. The teachers are beyond committed to our children and really know what they are capable of accomplishing. They push them to excellence. The institution is working on their diversity, inclusion, equity, and racial justice efforts, and not putting that important work on the backs of their racialized, BIPOC, or otherwise marginalized families. read more

Please don't fall for it! Seems great at first, but then after they suck you in..... This place is a cult and you will get sucked into it if you don't do your research first. Anthroposophists believe that they are on the side of the gods, and they believe that their critics are on the side of the demonic powers. Rudolf Steiner invented Waldorf Schools and Anthroposophy. Check it out carefully before trusting your children to these crazy ass people..... Also ask what happened with the teacher fired recently for inappropriate behavior... read more

We turned to Yelp during the pandemic as an in-Scool option for our kids. I have a 11 y/o and a 14 y/o. Fast forward - my kids love their time at this school! We signed up for a 2nd year as the kids begged to come back. Kids love learning cursive, learning outside, working with animals, and celebrating seasons. read more

Best pedagogy for children! Works both sides of their brains, keeps them engaged, not just by seeing the work, but by actively participating in said work. Our son was behind prepared for college and more importantly life! read more

This school is a good place for a student to grow in. Responsible and caring teachers. Academic and artistic curriculum that meets the whole Human Being. read more

It's pretty good..........................................................................................................

I miss this place so much!! One of the years I spent there was probably the best year of my life!