My son attends this school and is absolutely thriving here. The community is close-knit, relaxed, and engaged. The teachers are engaged, caring, and deeply committed to each and every child. I cannot recommend it highly enough. read more

I have two children at MN Waldorf school and have found it to be a wonderful experience for them. The focus on outdoor play and cross-disciplinary learning is wonderful. The focus on love of learning and having confidence in yourself and your ability to solve problems sets children up for success in today's world. read more

I'm the parent of 3 graduates from MWS and a current 8th grader. We love the school and the larger community of both MWS and Waldorf. It's been worth all of the struggle with coming up with tuition in order to keep them at the school. MWS has prepared them well for both high school and beyond. So far, they've each chosen different high schools and will probably have very different careers as well. They've embraced the world and have been confident and engaged learners. Their teachers in their respective high schools have asked where they had gone to school before because they've asked the best questions - looking for deeper meaning and learning - not just looking for answers to pass a test - but to really understand. This is what Minnesota Waldorf School does so very well. - It is an education for the whole child and fosters creativity, curiosity, and inclusion - the very education our world so desperately needs. I am so grateful for MWS - the teachers and faculty, the administration, and the families throughout the many years. read more

My daughter had the benefit of attending the Minnesota Waldorf School for middle school. What an amazing experience, for her, and for us! The school has a wonderfully relaxing, natural feel that I have never seen in any other school. The wall colors are warm and inviting, and the spaces are human-scaled. The teachers are deeply caring, providing support for learning and growth that is both academically rigorous and understands all that children need to learn and grow, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Art, music and movement is infused into all aspects of the program. My daughter loved drawing. The program included drawing in every subject. The class size was small, and her teacher was amazing. She was able to draw out participation of even the quietest students, asking engaging questions and making the topics real and tangible, often with hands on opportunities and demonstrations. A Minnesota Waldorf experience is more than just an investment in a child's learning, but in their overall well-being. She met an incredible group of fun, interesting students who our family will all remember until the end of our days because we saw all of their plays, watched their eighth grade project presentations, attended numerous events together from the epic Holiday Fair to the graduation ceremony. I could go on and on about all of the things that are just magical about this school. You should go and see it for yourself! read more

There is one reason why I will never recommend someone private schools over public schools, and that is accountability. I have had many experiences with schools from public, to charter, to private. With my experience I have always preferred public schools. I went to Minnesota Waldorf School for one year and I would not recommend it to anyone because I did not feel accountable there like I did at public schools. I felt like there was a lot of favoritism here. Minnesota Waldorf School only likes to work with certain students. It is hard to say who they like to work with , it is not about race or income, it seems to be more about academic performance. If you don't learn things in a quick enough manner they don't like you and don't want to deal with you. When I was at a public or even charter school, as bad as they could be, I felt a sense of accountability for everyone regardless of race, religion, creed, and income. With public schools, I feel like because they represent everyone in their district and their taxes all contribute to their service, there is an obligation to accommodate everyone in their schools and as a result you get more acceptance of differing academic performance, creed, religion, race, and income. With private schools, I feel like they don't care as much about you. They get an attitude that they are not accountable for you because their revenue is probably protected by law, even if you are not satisfied with their service and want a refund of your tuition. While I was at Minnesota Waldorf School from 2000-2001, I felt the management was very poor and the principle seemed weird. It was not a good fit for me. I didn't really believe in what they believed in. They believed in being heavily against technology, particularly television. Sorry, but I am a techie guy and going down their route turned out not to be a good fit for me. They also believe heavily in learning French and French was too hard form me to learn in as little of time as they gave me. Also, their instruction wasn't very effective for me. The people there talk like they have British accents and it is kind of cheesy. I didn't care for for my experience there, but it wasn't all bad. It was a different kind of school and it was an experience to get a feel for a private school. Some of their programs were alright, but I ultimately didn't feel enough support and that is why I left after one year. read more

We have two children at the MN Waldorf School. The school honors each child and family. My children are secure in who they are. The children are getting the kind of education that I wish for all children, music, recess, art. With a strong foundation of critical thinking skills kids who attend the Waldorf school excel in life and further studies. read more

My children have attended Minnesota Waldorf School 2-3 years and with mixed reviews I will say. The early childhood education is excellent and I would recommend that program, particularly the mixed age preschool/kindergarten: 4-6 year olds. The grades curriculum is also above average and emphasizes developmentally-based, hands on learning and outdoor exploring. The teachers and staff are also caring and attentive. If you are committed to starting "the grades," and remaining there through grades 1-8, regardless of the annual tuition increases of 2-4% each year, then you will probably love this school and your decision. 5/5 stars then......... However if the tuition, (which is higher than many MN and WI state colleges) or limited public transportation is an issue for your family--like most families-- or if you are unsure you will stay for the full 1st-8th grade curriculim, read on. If you begin your child's academic career in first grade at MWS and do not complete the grades, your child will be behind mainstream, traditional charter and public schools by Minnesota achievement standards, once they are taken our of Waldorf school. The pedagogy is beautiful, however the pre-academic learning, until really 2nd grade, is what's problematic once you leave the school. In my parental opinion, it is a disservice to your child's learning and self esteem to start them here and then pull them out-before the grades are completed- and before they are on par academically with their peers. The children learn other important blocks such as handwork (knitting), movement, french, water color painting--however the reading and writing are where your child will be sadly below average in comparison with their same grade level peers. I wish I had this warning and knowledge when we began here, as 2-3 years later, we decided to move on, and our 2 children were at a huge disadvantage academically in their new schools. They caught up fast, but it was very challenging, AND we had to pay an arm and a leg for tutoring to get them up to speed. Best of luck on your search! ---A concerned and former parent. read more

The best decision I have made in my 59 years of life thus far was to enroll my daughter at MN Waldorf School. Like many MN Waldorf School graduates, she went on to graduate from an Ivy League university. Do a little research. Don't listen to the disenchanted other yelp reviewer who went for one bad year and posts a negative review. Children do not know what is best for them. If he went to MN Waldorf, he was in grammar school and not in a human develomental stage in life where he could evaluate 'accountability'. He complains that they discouraged television: do a little research on the very real damage watching television does to humans, esp. young humans still developing their selfhood. It literally damages the optic nerves, deadens thinking capacity, stifles the imagination. We need a world peopled with creative, vibrant, lively beings living their true destiny in the world. We need the contributions of caring, sentient beings. The techie stuff will always happpen. All tools humans need will be developed, manufactured, sold and used. All Waldorf kids will learn how to use computers. But first, a Waldorf school nurtures children to learn who they are, and then to be who they are. We don't want a world full of techies watching tv, do we? We want creative thinkers that are alive in their body mind heart & soul. Any kid would be blessed to receive a Waldorf education. The juvenile twaddle the other reviewer writes souunds like a cranky kid who needs a nap. If he felt that the teachers ignored him, that was a message he sent himself. I have been around Wally World my whole adult life, sat on its school boards, worked tirelessly to develop various school communities: I never met a Waldorf teacher that did not care, deeply, about every kid. Not all kids fit in Waldorf Schools, esp. if their families don't get how to nurture a human. Sounds like this guy's parents parked him in front of a TV and he confused that with education. The MN Waldorf School is the best thing that ever happened to me or my kid. read more

My three daughters attended The Minnesota Waldorf School and their time there has benefitted them positively in every way! They have each commented on how grateful they are for having had this complete, complex, artistic, and human education. They transitioned seamlessly and well into various high schools and each excelled socially and academically. Each have now completed college and obtained employment in a field that delights them fully; Occupational Therapist, Industrial Designer, and Licensed Nurse. They continue to enjoy the other fruits of this education in music, writing and other artistic endeavors and appreciation. This education truly nurtures full human capacities. read more

1/13/2016 What do you desire for your child/children? I am a parent of two children in the Minnesota Waldorf School: one in fifth grade and the other in second grade. Both children started at the school in kindergarten. By way of introduction, I am a professor at a state university and have been teaching since 1990. As one who teaches, I have a deep appreciation for education and how it shapes an individual's whole being. When my children began at the Minnesota Waldorf School I did not understand much of the Waldorf pedagogy or who was Rudolph Steiner. I still don't have full comprehension of either, but I don't really have to in order to know that my children are participating in an amazing school. My children's happiness and sense of growing curiosity about how to engage in the world are clear evidence of the school's strength. Like all parents I want my children to succeed. The Minnesota Waldorf School is part of that equation. Indeed, they are getting the kind of education I desire for every child. I see many students in college unable to form engaging questions, unable to think for themselves, and unable to stand up for themselves. For me, these kinds of deficits reveal teaching structures that have diminished a person's potential. A Waldorf education prepares individuals for a future world we cannot imagine. Critical thinking skills and a sense of worth and well being are fostered every day at MWS. There is a sense of kindness and welcoming love that I know are nurturing my children. I love that MWS teaches to the whole child, and not just to his/her head, not just to a test. Come to Minnesota Waldorf School. See the kids. They are the proof that something remarkable is happening. I think you will be surprised. I suspect that we all desire for our children: love, kindness, and a nurturing place that will help them grow into their potential. My family has found these fundamentals at MWS. But don't simply trust me or the other reviews here. Do more research about Waldorf education. See what Waldorf can be and what kind of individuals it fosters. Come to the school. In the mean time, here are a few links to help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlK6eg3KYIw http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?_r=0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ZSeepDmPE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js_8EfdPpp0 read more

I went to tour Waldorf school and really liked how cozy and homie it was. I signed up for Little Sprouts class they run before enrolling my son for next year. After 3 classes teacher called me to say I should not come anymore because my son is not behaving and disruptive for other kids. My son is curious, energetic little boy. I would say he has his bad days and melt downs like toddlers do. And yes, he is not engaging in every single activity but he is not even 3 yet! She didn't offer to help and work with me, she didn't offer my money back either. She felt he was not ready for the group yet! How else is he supposed to learn to be in the group??! I felt ostracized and was just shocked that a teacher can actually do such a thing. I tried to call and communicate with someone in charge. I left voicemail but no one ever called me back. I feel extremely disappointed with this school. After much of research on internet I found out more parents with the same issue like mine. This school is not cheap but we were willing to pay for something that sounds like amazing place. Our hope was crushed into a lot of little pieces. read more

My experience has only been that of early childhood at the mn waldorf school in St. Paul and I have to say that, overall, the experience was not a positive one. Poor communication with the parents, lack of accountability and inability to foster individual spirit are some of the red flags. The school and its philosophy is not capable of creating an environment suitable for most children, you either fit in or you are out even though you will pay thousands of dollars for tuition. We experienced one great teacher and one that was less than satisfactory. The belief that children learn through self exploration and imagination is what drew me to the school at first however the teacher whom we had the negative experience with made it difficult for me to see the entire waldorf pedagogy as a strategy in which a child could be raised as a healthy, confident and well rounded individual. There are very specific ways of role playing that are encouraged and if your child deviates from that, you are left to think that something is wrong with your child. Overall, for the money, it should be better. read more