Sanderling is a wonderful option in north county for a screen free approach to education. This school has provided an anchor for our family and a community that provides a huge sense of support. Highly recommend!! read more

Sanderling is the perfect school for our son, and we feel lucky that there is a Waldorf school in our area. There are a lot of opinions about Waldorf education out there, but at the end of the day if you want to foster a creative and confident "whole person" child in a tech free environment...Sanderling is the place for you. read more

We love Waldorf education and schools. My children are really happy, I feel supported as a mother that my children are receiving knowledge beyond just intellectual. Love it ! read more

What we have found at Sanderling has far surpassed our expectations for education. Beyond academics, the Waldorf philosophy has given our 7-year-old son independence, confidence, the ability to hold conversations with adults, and interest in activities he never would have been exposed to (he'll go from playing sports to finger knitting in the same hour). From what we've observed, Sanderling develops well-rounded, confident, resilient and kind kids. We couldn't ask for anything more. read more

This is our second year at Sanderling and we love this school. We've been going to Waldorf inspired schools for 9 years now and this has been such a lovely next step in our Waldorf journey. We love the community here and that we get to work alongside other like-minded families. Our kids' teachers are strong and hold their classes firmly and lovingly. Our kids continue to love to learn here and I can see that evolving as we grow at Sanderling. read more

We love this school so much. My daughters attend the early childhood program, as well as the grades program. We have attended for 2.5 years- we began our journey in the midst of Covid- with both beautiful and chaotic moments. Even in the midst of one of the most difficult and stressful times, the school remained steadfast in its dedication to their students and families. You will find devoted and thoughtful teachers, well-rounded and happy children, as well as a vibrant supportive community. Sanderling allows our children to be children without the distractions of screens and stresses of testing- so that they may become thoughtful whole humans who have the skills and intelligence to do good in this world. We are grateful we found Sanderling, every day. read more

The heart at Sanderling is unparalleled. The teachers care so deeply for my two children and it is truly a community. We moved here during COVID and my children have done kindergarten through middle school here. They insist on staying until they finish their 8th grade projects! The school is non profit, so all tuition goes back into supporting your children. Involved parents will find a home here and be embraced by a no/low media community. No cell phones, no tv. Typing and computer courses begin in middle grades. Spanish and German are taught through all grades; cursive; gardening, plus all the standard subjects. It is unique. read more

Sanderling Waldorf School - 4th grade building block, birdhouses handcrafted over a few months. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Vista, California

What a wonderful, loving and rich program. Our children have been attending Sanderling since Early Childhood (preschool) and are currently in 2nd (with Ms. Evi) and 4th (Ms. Lisa). Sanderling truly focuses on each individual child and ensures the WHOLE child is treated with love and respect. The school community is so supportive and engaged and the teachers are truly amazing. We are beyond grateful for the experience our children receive. My kids look forward to going to school every day, and their love of learning is inspiring. I credit this love of school and learning to the love and respect that they receive from each of their teachers. read more

Sanderling Waldorf School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Vista, California

We are so grateful for this school and the loving community we have found. I like that my children have a solid education and use creativity in all subjects, especially in math. The Waldorf curriculum ensures that the children have subject teachers (German, Spanish, string instruments, knitting, movement (P.E) and gardening, so that they receive a very well education. We have been very happy at Sanderling! read more

Our son is currently attending 2nd Grade at Sanderling with Ms Evi as his teacher since 1st Grade. In Waldorf Education, children in grades goes from 1st Grade to 8th Grade with the same teacher. He started Kindergarten in a Waldorf School in Seattle area. When we moved to SoCal we looked for Waldorf schools here and we were lucky to find Sanderling. This school is not different than my son's previous Waldorf school from WA. It is a small school with a strong knitted community, which is a plus when you move to a new place with no family around. The school offers a full tradicional Waldorf curriculum, including Eurhytm, Handwork, Music, Gardening, German and Spanish classes. As Waldorf education is not academically-oriented, my son does not have homework or regular tests, which is a perfect fit for my child's personality. Also, the school has a zero screen policy, like others Waldorf schools have. We are very satisfied with this school. My son has a good connection with his main teacher, Ms Evi, and also with all other teachers. During his 1st Grade we had the parent-teacher conferences and we could feel that all teachers see our son as a whole. This is very special and important for his journey ahead. read more

Choosing the right school can be challenging. We were grateful to find Sanderling Waldorf School. Our daughter attended Sanderling for nine years, starting in the early childhood program and graduating 8th grade last year. Our son is currently in 7th grade and has also attended since nursery/kindergarten. Although my children's learning styles are completely different from each other's, the Waldorf curriculum has proven to be an excellent fit for both. It's a long list when I think about what attracted us to and kept us at Sanderling; these are a few of the things that made it to the top - a calming daily rhythm, nourishing snack time around a beautiful table, teachers who really see each child and their unique strengths, a strong community of parents who've become some of my best friends, an integration of academics, physical activity, the arts and moral responsibility, annual festivals, a reverence for the natural world, a developmentally appropriate curriculum, parent enrichment classes, and possibly at the very top of the list, the fact that my kids truly enjoy going to school each day. They have formed deep meaningful friendships, developed a sense of self-confidence, and exude a love of learning that I can only imagine will last their lifetime. Thankfully, in this unprecedented time of Covid, Sanderling has created outdoor classrooms and strict safety protocols that allow children to attend school in-person. This makes a huge difference for my son. I am grateful each morning when I drop him off, knowing he's in excellent hands, learning from his amazing teacher in-person and not staring at a screen all day. Plus, I get to focus my attention on my own work at home. In-person learning might not feel comfortable for everyone right now, and I think it's important to note that Sanderling also offers a supported homeschool program. In summary, I believe Waldorf education can have a profound impact on the course of a child's life. Over the past decade, I've seen Sanderling's curriculum produce creative, resilient, innovative and strategic thinkers with a high level of emotional intelligence - kind, generous, and intelligent human beings. Their program is something special and I value it over traditional rote learning. If this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more I highly recommend giving the school a call and scheduling a tour. They can do a much better job of explaining the magic than I can. :) And in case you are wondering, as I did, "how do children transition after attending a Waldorf school given its non-traditional education?" I can say that I've seen children go in many different directions after Sanderling (Waldorf high schools, other private schools, charters, public schools, etc.) and each has their own story. My general observation is that they are just like every other young adult finding their way into the next phase of their life. And that the foundational skills they've learned at Waldorf give them an incredibly strong backbone to do so. My daughter has chosen to attend a public high school and is thriving so far, from both an academic and an athletic perspective. There's no question in my mind that her journey at Sanderling provided a strong foundation for her to embrace whatever comes her way. read more

See all

Best school ever! My son has been going here since kindergarten (called early childhood) and is now in second grade. Miss Evi has been his teacher since first grade and we absolutely love her!! She is kind, caring, and an overall excellent teacher! My son absolutely loves going to school thanks to Evi and the nurturing environment at Sanderling Waldorf. On top of the amazing education, my son also gets weekly German, Spanish, music, handwork, movement, outdoor education classes, and much more. In first grade, my son learned how to knit and has, since taught me how to do so at home! But the best part of the school is the welcoming and loving community. It definitely starts in the classroom with Evi, but it extends outside of the classroom and even outside of the school. The school has many community events and festivals throughout the year, and there is also a camping group that we have become a big part of and go camping with about once a month. We couldn't be more grateful for this magical school and for Miss Evi! 100/10 recommend. read more

I am a Waldorf graduate- my mother a master Waldorf teacher- my aunt a graduate as well. When we moved to California from New England I knew if my children were going to be in a school it would be a Waldorf school. Sanderling warmly invited us in and hooked us with an incredible parent community- unfortunately- Sanderling is a very poor representation of what a Waldorf School should be. My son experienced Ms Evi who does not have her teaching degree and has very little to no support in her large classroom of over 20 children. She in punitive and screams at her first graders, even slamming her hands on desks. Her first response to children being children is to send them home instead of guiding them or redirecting. Evi was protected by the head of pedagogy who was brilliant but outdated in his was. I never got a home visit. My son was being being bullied by the teacher and was not accepted but asked to be different. Evi communication is horrible. She even yelled at me and shook her finger at me the first time we met. I never saw her smile. I sadly had to remove my son in April of his first grade year. He misses his friends and other teachers so much. The school wouldn't give me my money back for mentally abusing my son. They gave me nothing in writing about him. I have no record of his first grade year. Evi is a perfect example of what can go wrong with Waldorf when you will accept anyone as a teacher. She should not be allowed to be alone with children and I hope she has learned to meet children with joy, humor and love instead of punishment and making children feel badly. She just started the second grade - that class deserves better. read more

A beautiful and heartfelt school with deep roots in bringing about the health and education of the whole child and individual child. Cohesive and tight knit community of parents, teachers and administrators building an educational environment that is safe, warm, fun, imaginative, creative, intellectually stimulating and focused on the children and their well being. read more

The early childhood program here, led by Ms Jodi and Ms Angelica, is top-notch. This school provides a warm, friendly, nurturing community for both parent and child. Every detail of the classroom seems subtly well thought out. By guiding parents to prepare a fruit or vegetable for snack time, and supplying easy but engaging handwork projects, it encourages those parents with helicopter tendencies to step back and just let their children play. That simple play helped my daughter's creativity and social skills blossom. I've ended up designing my parenting style around what I learned at Sanderling. Due to moving cities, my daughter has now attended a stunning six preschools in her first four years, including another Waldorf school. Sanderling was the best of the six, and we both miss it. read more

The Sanderling Waldorf School has a interesting curriculum. Many parents and families like it but it turned out not to be a good fit for our son, at all. It is not academically focused enough for our son. This school places an emphasis on movement and natural skills (i.e. learning through daily life) No formal academic focus in the preschool classroom. Appeared to follow a more normal academic curriculum in the grade levels, but I was focused more on the preschool so I didn't take to many notes on the grade level classes. Accommodates 18 months-5th grade. This is a very different approach to preschool. Has a Montessori-LIKE feel but is defiantly NOT Montessori (emphasis on the NOT). The children help make lunch each day, they eat family style, they have no electronics in the school, and the preschool classroom has no books, only simple toys for imaginative play. School days end at 12:45 for preschool, extended care until 3:00pm is available three days a week. If you're interested I'd recommend going to one of their open houses or family days for a visit. Then you could get a good feel for the school and whether or not the teaching philosophy would work for your children. Tuition is $8900 annually or $741.66 per month for full-time care, for a 4 year old (8:00am - 12:45pm) extended care to 3:00pm is extra. read more

I have three daughters who attend the Sanderling Waldorf School. We started with my oldest daughter last year and she entered the first grade. Her experience went so well that we moved our two younger daughters into the nursery/kindergarten program this year (and our oldest moved to second grade). I like to think of Waldorf education as an "old-fashioned education for modern life". People are sometimes taken aback when I describe the Waldorf curriculum, and its emphasis on movement, art, storytelling, crafts, and music, because it's so different from the mainstream curriculum taught in the public school system. But then I point out that our grandparents' and parents' elementary education probably wasn't all that different from how a Waldorf school is run, and it clicks. (The same is true even for our generation! Public school today isn't the same as it was when we were in elementary school.) So maybe saying a "classic education for modern life" would be better. (Or even a "liberal arts elementary education". That's another favorite phrase of mine.) Don't be swayed by some of the biased things you can read on the Internet about Waldorf. Sanderling is a wonderful example of a Waldorf school. The teachers are tremendous, taking a deep, genuine interest in each student in their care (classrooms range from 15-25 students with one teacher at the grades level, and 10-15 students with two teachers at the nursery/kindergarten level). The administrators are warm and helpful. And the parent community is engaged and welcoming. It was the strong community at Sanderling that was a key reason for us in choosing the school. If you or your child is dissatisfied with the status quo in education these days, come take a look at Sanderling. P.S. The reason I gave four stars in what might seem like a glowing review is 1) I'm one of those crazy people that rarely gives out five star review, and 2) Sanderling is still a "developing" school, and despite its many commendable traits, there are some places where it is working to get better. read more

Save your money and your time. They're happy to take your money for the assessment, email you that they're excited that there's an opening for your child, make you wait 3 weeks for finalization and then suddenly tell you that there is no room for your child. Discrimination about sums it up. read more

My son has attended since 2nd grade. He us now in 6th, we love this school and the philosophy surrounding it. Teaching the whole child to become a lover of all things and intrinsically motivated to learn. read more

This is our second year at Sanderling Waldorf School and it is truly a beautiful community with amazing and attentive teachers, and people from all over the world. Our children have attended other Waldorf Schools in the United States, and Sanderling is very special. True to Waldorf in philosophy, education/curriculum, growing community & supporting parents, as well as reverence for each child. Thank you for a village where our children are safe to imagine, play, explore, live to learn about the truth within themselves and thrive! read more

We are a new Sanderling Waldorf family. I give four stars only because we've not spent enough time there for me to give it five. Our middle son attends in the Nursery/Kindergarten program. We are looking to send our soon to be third grader. Our son who attends tells us he loves it. He looks forward to going to school each day and has made new friends in the short time he's been there. He had been in a Lifeways (Waldorf-based) childcare program as parent-tot at 8 months and "home-care" from eighteen months to four and a half. This type of program helps the transition into Waldorf School. We love the heart, head, hands philosophy, the soft and natural toys and loving teachers. The school community is warm and inviting. The parents are friendly, supportive and involved in school activities. Personally, we've had experience with public school as well, and we like Sanderling's focus on preparing the child's fine motor control with handwork, working with others through interactive play, science and mathematics through nature lessons, and outdoor activity VS sitting in a classroom pushing academics, early reading, letters, cut and paste and other academics. Waldorf education is unique. We did deep research before choosing this path for our children. It is an integrated approach to learning and quite different from what you might expect out of state funded education. We love it so far and hope to attend for many more years to come. read more

Our family LOVES Sanderling Waldorf School. My son is currently in Grade 7. We've been part of this amazing Community for 5.5 years and I could not imagine sending my son to school anywhere else in North County San Diego. His main teacher is extraordinary knowing each child, supporting their individual needs as well as the class as a whole inspires me beyond words. The diversity of classes, the curriculum, the festivals to honor the seasons, community of caring parents, and the emotionally connected, kind, and inspiring school fuels the spirit of my sons learning, growth, and is shaping him to become a balanced, connected, and well rounded individual ready for life! I am also grateful that my son is going to school in person during COVID. I feel safe dropping him off at school knowing that the school is taking the pre-cautionary measures and upholding high standards of care with the children's health at the fore-front during these unprecedented times. I recommend this school to anyone looking for outstanding education, in person learning, and supporting their children to grow emotionally, physically, mentally, and to nurture the soul of each child. read more

We have 2 boys attending Sanderling Waldorf - currently in 5th grade and 2nd grade. We transferred to Sanderling from a public school 2 years ago. Here are some of the things we like about the school: the emphasis on creativity and a lifelong love of learning, the fact that kids learn two languages (Spanish and German) starting in 1st grade, the emphasis on integrating movement into learning (great for my active boys), the academic program which is deep, rich, and experiential (with few worksheets!) , the music and games classes, the outdoor/nature emphasis, the caring and dedicated teachers, and so much more. read more

Great Waldorf school in Encinitas! I am not a mom, but I have been to several events (art fairs, rummage sales, etc) and know some kids that attend. The school creates a very positive impact on students, as well as the community. The kids are encouraged to bring their daily lunches in a basket. This school promotes an eco-friendly and outdoorsy way of living (to the kids). read more

Sanderling has been our community home and school for over 5 years now. We are so grateful for the quality of education, care of teachers, and incredible Waldorf community. read more

Our kids go to Sanderling and our overall experience has been fantastic! The teachers are great, the parent community is very close-knit and the overall experience for our kids is very, very enriching. The Waldorf philosophy is alive, well and thriving at Sanderling Waldorf School. read more

My son is going to the Sanderling Waldorf School since 2010 starting in Parent/Child. I could not think of a better school for him. He loves his teacher. The Waldorf education he will receive at Sanderling will make him a livelong learner. Someone who is asking questions is a critical thinker. He will learn two foreign languages and learn 3-4 music instruments. Physical fitness, good health, and cooperative games replace the traditional sports. Class sizes are small so that every child can get the attention needed to advance at there own pace. The campus in Carlsbad is beautiful and a real safe heaven for kids. Everybody in the school is friendly and willing to help each other. I can highly recommend this school. Waldorf is not a cult. It is a great educational system. read more

I love this school and their educational philosophy. I can't image having children in a different type of program that could be any better for their developing minds. The garden on the campus is beautiful, and the teachers are amazing. Highly recommended and worth the price tag. read more

Beautiful Education. North County San Diego is so fortunate to have a Steiner School here! The Sanderling Waldorf School is a haven in this otherwise techno-world where academics is pushed on children younger and younger. Personally, I think what kids need more of is to JUST BE KIDS and play! Play is their learning. As children get older, the Waldorf method introduces academics in the grades at developmentally appropriate ages. My son attended Sanderling Waldorf School from 2yrs to 12 yrs of age. He then transitioned in 7th grade into a non-Waldorf middle/high school that has a more traditional academic school focus. He has received academic excellence recognition for 2 years now, after never having been introduced to a "computer", taken a "test" or even been given a "grade" - before 7th grade! The best part is that he is a very independent and free thinker. I believe alot of who he is today is due to his Waldorf Education. If you are interested in the Sanderling Waldorf school I would highly suggest you do your homework. It does not work for everyone's families. There is a big emphasis on being media-free. It is very difficult to do in this media-crazed world, but trust me - it is SO worth it! Some ideas to help aid in your decision: 1. attend an open house 2. read the website www.whywaldorfworks.org 3. study up on why electronic media is not healthy for the young child's developing brain 4. check out the very interesting news article written a few years back -"Why are Silicon Valley Tech Execs Sending Their Kids To a Tech-free School"? read more

Horrible! Our experience was really sad and disheartening. My daughter who was 2 at the time got hurt several times (in one day) by the same little boy, he pulled her hair several times, ran her over on a tricycle and tried to push her off the play structure - with neither the teacher nor his mother saying anything. He also did that to several other kids. When I finally said to the boy : " It's not o.k. to hurt others" and stopped him from pulling her hair, once again, his mother yelled at me and the teacher said I wasn't handling the situation well (!!!!!) and we should avoid the boy the next time. Their theory is that the kids will figure it out on their own. That might work for strong and confident kids but the shy and timid and gentle ones are definitely without any protection and are getting hurt over and over again. I do not recommend this school because it doesn't teach children to not hurt each other and protects bullies. I know of two more cases at this school where children got continually picked on and their parents decided to enroll them in different schools. It makes me sad to see a good philosophy being taught in such distorted way! read more

We have two boys at Sanderling, a 6th grader and pre-schooler. We started our pre-schooler at the parent-child class and moved on the to the Nursery after a year. Our 6th grader three years ago was in a public school and saw his brother's school at the Open Houses and was really intrigued at the beautiful workbooks created by the grade-school children that were exhibited at these open houses. He was not happy at the public school. He felt stifled and was not challenged. Despite getting top scores in the Star testing and breezing through his classes, we felt there must be more than tests and scores to an elementary school experience. After trying out for a week at Sanderling, we made the decision as a family to move our older son to Sanderling from 4th grade. Immediately, he came home happy from school. He was challenged in so many different ways. He was learning Spanish and German, drawing so much more and creating beautiful work instead of slogging over worksheets. He learnt to crochet and was so proud of his end products. Woodworking was an instant hit. The strings program at the school is excellent and it is always amazing to watch the children perform at the assemblies twice a year. All the outdoor and nature-based field trips engaged his attention. He was learning so much more than he ever was siting at this desk in the public school. The Waldorf way of teaching Math using movement allowed him to easily memorize the times tables and it solidified his foundation in Math skills. This is what education should be for children. It stimulates his head, heart and hands. read more

My two children have attended Sanderling for more than three years. We have been so pleased with the nursery-kindergarten program, which meets the children's need for play-based enrichment. I love the stories, songs and connection to the rhythm of the natural world. My son blossomed from having the same lovely and dedicated teacher for three years. My older child transferred from a private school, where she was stressed out and unhappy. She truly loves to go to school each day at SWS. Her learning is integrated through movement, hands-on and creative projects, and songs and stories. She and I also attended SWS's parent-child program for two years, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to play and learn (especially for me) in a nurturing environment. Waldorf education has been so rewarding for our children and family. read more

I love Sanderling Waldorf. When we were first moving into the area I was looking for an environment for my daughter that was nurturing and would encourage her to explore the world around her and foster every child's innate desire to be curious and to love learning. I literally drove by the school and saw the sign. I stopped in and I am so glad I did! We have found a permanent educational home for our children. My daughter is now in the 2nd grade and she loves it. She is learning German and Spanish and plays the recorder. They are preparing a class play and she loves doing eurythmy. I feel Waldorf captures the child's imagination and takes her on a wonderful educational journey every day. She is also very fond of her classmates whom I find to be thoughtful, happy children. My daughter never has anything negative to say about her classmates and always speaks about how much she enjoys her friends. I would recommend Sanderling Waldorf to any parent (and I have). read more

Excellent environment for kids. The school focus on the whole child and is not concern with just academics. It gives children the opportunity to learn about nature, arts and themselves. My daughter is in first grade and she looks forward to of to school everyday. No complaining! She is joyful and excited everyday. read more

We love Sanderling. Our son has attended the school since preschool and is now I second grade. We love my son's teacher and could not have asked for a more caring, experienced and dedicated teacher. The curriculum is very balanced and rounded and addresses the child academic, emotional and social needs. We are so lucky to have this school in North County. read more