My big lottery win (let the winfall begin!)
I won the lottery last week!
Before you start hitting me up for a loan, I’m remiss to say it wasn’t that kind of winfall but rather it involved my daughter being selected via a lottery to enter a new school in the fall.
I’ve watched the public vs. charter vs. private school debate with passing interest thinking it didn’t apply to me. I have been very happy with our neighborhood public school, which has high assessment scores and a capable staff.
But then the bottom fell out in the form of my daughter’s day-long anti-homework meltdown last month.
(Insert collective nod from homework-wary parents everywhere).
On the surface, I recognize a lot of kids hate homework (though I was a brown-nosing nerd who loved it). But then I started to look deeper. My daughter is a smart, visual, out-of-the-box thinker who spends hours in her room just creating. Though she is performing at grade level, she is struggling with the barrage of worksheets and math drills. Her excellent teacher has recognized this and tweaks her assignments but she has 24 other kids to juggle.
I knew something had to give and I hoped it wasn’t my sanity for the next 10 years.
Call it a coincidence or providence but shortly thereafter, Haddie had a new friend over for a playdate. When her mom came to pick her up, she raved about a new Waldorf-inspired charter school. Not familiar with The Waldorf Method, I started to do some research into Waldorf’s arts-integrated academic education.
And I really liked what I found.
Their curriculum is comprehensive in scope and artistic in nature. Its academic components are aligned to state standards and framed within an artistic, creative and imaginative context with a multi-sensory approach without an emphasis on technology.
The school offered several open houses and I was shocked to see a jam-packed room of enthusiastic parents who hailed from as far away as Parker to Evergreen. We toured various classrooms. The second graders were singing about Hot Cross Buns with engaging storytelling, fractions and multiplication. At the back of the room, a cooking area was set-up for the kids to make Hot Cross Buns to apply what they learned.
As we turned to leave, our guide whispered, “That is their math class.”
SOLD!
And admittedly, the whole thing made me weepy because this hands-on, creative learning approach is such a perfect fit for my daughter.
Arts are interwoven into every subject with really cool programs like a greenhouse where the children grow plants (and later sell them for a fundraiser), weekly cooking classes, handwork, orchestra, eurythmy (huh?), field trips, and community festivals. A few weeks ago, we attended an after-school Valentine card making class that was open to the public where one of the fathers raved, “My daughter is thrilled to come to school every day!”
But I had some questions. Sure, the arts are swell but how do the students perform academically so I asked the Denver Waldorf School’s enrollment director Leigh Rhysling. “In the younger grades it may seem as if we fall behind because we take much longer teaching foundational skills in reading, writing and math for more in-depth comprehension,” she said.
“But it pays off because we’ve built that foundation,” she continued. “Nationwide, 97 percent of Waldorf graduates continue on to college, 88 percent of those graduate with a four-year degree and 78 percent go on to do higher level degrees.”
Last month, the Denver Post reported Denver Public Schools’ high school graduation rate is up 4 percent…to 56 percent.
Though I am at the beginning of my journey, I firmly believe this method is not for everyone (including my arts-challenged son who will happily remain at our beloved public school). But I’m grateful there are options for children who don’t always fit the mold.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
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A private Waldorf Method education can run you upwards $12,000 per year, which is why the Waldorf-inspired charter school and homeschool programs are worth looking into. Here are some options in the Denver-area.
The Denver Waldorf School, Denver (pre-K-12th grade)
Parzival Shield, Denver (pre-K-kindergarten)
Mountain Phoenix Community School, Wheat Ridge and Coal Creek Canyon (pre-K-8)
Shining Mountain Waldorf School, Boulder (pre-K-12 grade)
Tara Performing Arts High School, Boulder
Waldorf-inspired homeschool programs
Good for you. I think too many of us just assume our kids should go to the area school when that isn’t always the best choice. I’d heard of Waldorf but didn’t know what they were all about. Sounds pretty darn cool. Keep us updated on how it works out.
Thanks! Fingers are crossed it pays off.
Yay! I’m so glad she got a spot! When I started researching all of this years ago, I was under the impression that “charter schools” were privately funded here in Colorado like they are in other states. The terminology is just different in different parts of the country! I had no idea that they were actually “public” schools! I’m so glad they are. We’re thrilled with our public charter, and I hope you guys are as happy with your choice as well!
I agree–for a new parent in a new state, I had no idea what charters schools were all about, nor that anyone could go to them. Once you open your eyes, it’s amazing how many options there are.
We did public, to charter and eventually homeschool through COVA. The charter was better than public, but the homeschooling is our first choice now
Charter and we LOVE it! We started our first out there in PK though–it’s PK-6th, so we have never had had the experience of changing schools.
The Charter we go to also has a “home school connection” that goes there every Friday.
I’m very excited for you!! We went through a similar situation last year and went on a path that I never ever in a million years thought we would be on…or paying for. I’m a HUGE believer in public education. But last March, we pulled our girls out and moved them to a private all girls school. Best thing we ever did. Everyone’s different, and the needs are different. Pay attention to your child. We’re having to make lots of sacrifices to pull this off but I see the results each and every day.
Wow, a private all girl’s school? Talk about a complete change. But I’m so glad it has paid off for you. Fingers are crossed.
It’s an Adams 12 homeschool and I like it! We’ve been doing that one for 4 years, and down to schooling about 2 full days a week. They are tested independently too several times a year, so you can see where you need to make adjustments, etc.
Amber,
Thank you for sharing you journey into the intersection of school choice. It is wonderful that our society is becoming so encouraging of various educational approaches and offering more and more opportunities for kids.
Best wishes for your family!
Hope it works out as well as it sounds. We tried a charter school in middle school. We moved our son back before Thanksgiving as it was a disaster. They couldn’t meet his IEP requirements.
I have a friend who’s son is there and it’s not working for him… hope Hadley loves it!
I’ll be curious to see how this school performs on the CSAP.
The Waldorf inspired public school in Boulder struggled with their CSAP scores over the years (it’s been around since the mid-90′s). They had to find the balance of not teaching literacy until later on vs. traditional schools. Ultimately the students do catch up in a fast amount of time. For some children early intervention is the best, but for average/above average they do fair well on CSAP. Plus, it’s my belief that CSAP is only 1 tiny piece of the picture that makes up the whole child.
Joy–hope she does, too. Worst-case, she’ll stay for a year and go back to her elementary school for fourth grade.
Karla–good question! Since it’s the first year for this particular charter, that has yet to be determined. However, the principal is the founding principal of Peak to Peak, the only Colorado high school to make the nation’s top 50. It’s comforting knowing she comes from such a strong academic background and feels passionately about learning through the arts.
I love it’s the Peak to Peak founding principal. Those 2 teaching methods could not be any more opposite! Wow!
We are so excited for our boys to have a Waldorf Education! I have had my youngest in a parent-tot at Denver Waldorf School this year and my oldest will start pre-K in the fall. One of the things we like best is that it is a really well rounded education. I love that our boys will be expected to participate, will play an instrument, act in plays, and learn to make things with their hands, in addition to all of the academics.
We personally feel that academics and technology are pushed on kids far too early these days yet we see our students on the whole falling behind the rest of the world, which is one of many reasons we will try Waldorf.
Interesting comment regarding State Standardized Testing.
It is doubtful that a school like this has in their mission statement to focus on teaching to “the test.”
That of course does not mean that the kiddos wouldn’t do excellent in such assessments.
But should these be the only yardstick we use to determine academic success for our kids?
I must admit bias as I, myself, attended a performance art school in Sweden. We never took a standardized test. Ever.
Yet, 90% of our graduating students were accepted into the top 3 of higher ed programming we had chosen. Should mention higher ed is solely based on GPA in Sweden, and our school had the same grade system as anywhere. The Arts School was known for turning out high performing students.
Personally I think we are doing ourselves a disservice as a nation to discount the arts, or exclude its value in our kid’s education.
There are many, many children and adults who are brilliant out-of-the-box-thinkers. You know, the kind that put their thumbprint on this world.
But should they not score well on an annual multiple choice test, does that mean they are not as successful as their type-A counterparts?
Let’s encourage our kids to do well the way they learn and grow.
If we don’t accept them for who they are as unique individuals, then who will? (:
So, from the article it is difficult whether you won a lottery to attend the Jefferson County Waldorf-inspired charter school or the actual Denver Waldorf School. Which is it?
Officially jealous. There isn’t a single charter school in my entire district–or in the neighboring two counties. (insert wailing)
We’ve opted for homeschooling, but we just all eventually do what we think is best for the kiddos. Right?
Congrats Amber! My girls go to a very arts based school which is a perfect fit for them and you’ll be amazed at how the academic part just naturally falls into play. Believe it or not, they don’t have to be skilled and drilled ALL DAY! Welcome to the world of school choice, another amazing reason to love Colorado!
Great feedback, everyone.
Denise–I know, the philosophies are so different between Peak to Peak and Waldorf. It will be interesting to see how it plays out but Dr. Long is extremely impressive.
I think it’s essential to have a well seasoned leader at the helm for the start of a Charter School. I find it interesting that Dr. Long was attracted to such a variety of teaching methods. I always found myself with one foot in the traditional vs. non-traditional worlds when I was teaching. I value the balance!