Why Choose Okanagan Waldorf School
Discover A Magical Waldorf School In The Okanagan Valley Of British Columbia
Okanagan Waldorf School is a thriving organization that offers Waldorf education from early childhood to grade eight. We provide strong academics through purposeful experiences in the classroom, in nature, and in the garden. Okanagan Waldorf School is dedicated to providing elementary education that ignites the love of learning and supports children on their way to becoming confident, creative and contributing community members. The Waldorf curriculum, which is rich in hands-on learning, languages, music, and art, strives to engage each child in academically rigorous work. The School provides the children of the Greater Vernon area a place to grow, learn, and be inspired. The culture and the policies are all meaningfully developed in support of the School’s vision of “Enlivened education for the whole child.”
What is Waldorf Education
The Waldorf education model offers a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. See read more about the Waldorf curriculum at Okanagan Waldorf School, please click here.
Why Waldorf Works
At Okanagan Waldorf School we aim to cultivate a dynamic and caring community that provides a living education, so that children may manifest their full potential, both now and in the future.
Educating The Whole Child
Our aim is to foster a child’s lifelong love of learning. We strive to meet the needs of the whole child: the thinking, feeling, and willing (or doing). We meet these through a balanced curriculum and by challenging students academically, artistically, and physically. The care, effort, and thoughtfulness experienced by the child, as well as the concepts and facts learned, bring meaning and value. We follow a pedagogy that meets each child’s uniqueness in developmentally appropriate stages.
The Teacher As Mentor, Role Model, And Guardian
Teachers strive to teach with imagination, to make use of creative skills and talents, and to be active learners in the subject areas they teach. Class teachers, in teaching the same class of children for a cycle of time, build a strong relationship with each child. This allows the teacher to recognize the child’s full potential, enabling the child to flourish.
Volunteering
We endeavour to work hand in hand with parents and create a bridge between home and school. Parent and Community Volunteers at Okanagan Waldorf School are an integral part of our collective operations. Our children experience connectedness and unity when they see their family members supporting and working for their school. This helps close the gap between school life and home life. Our school would not exist without volunteers.
Parent Participation
Waldorf schools are created and sustained through the partnership between parents and teachers. Outside of the teaching, many important contributions are accomplished by parents and friends. There are many ways that you can help. Through the year we host work parties to care for the school. Our seasonal festivals, celebrations, and fairs are another great time to contribute and lend a hand, as many tasks need to be accomplished for each event.
Participation
We invite you to involve yourself. Many positions are filled because individuals see a need and take the initiative to step forward to get the job done. If you have a special skill or service you would like to offer, or if you would like to initiate a new project at the school, please speak with your teacher or the administrative staff.