The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands

but seeing with new eyes. – Marcel Proust

Though Waldorf education was born nearly one hundred years ago, it is an education that uniquely meets the needs of today’s children. Every week, there is educational research news that corroborates the wisdom of Waldorf pedagogy.  (One example: a recent New York Times article that focuses on the role of technology in the classroom.)

While the crisis in American education has existed for over a decade, children in Waldorf classrooms here and across the globe are thriving. The Waldorf classroom provides a significantly different learning experience characterized by the ideals of reverence, relationship, and freedom.

Every day, children are invited to think new thoughts, develop new skills, and to see with new eyes.  The Waldorf educational philosophy reflects the understanding that all true learning has an inner component – an intention not only to provide academic learning but to awaken and engage the extraordinary capacities of each child. Learning comes alive through relationship, story, movement, speech, singing, drawing, painting, skill building, independent work, collaboration, assessment and review. The Waldorf curriculum is carefully designed to match the developmental stage of the child, bringing the student into a deep and meaningful relationship to the world.

Our Annual Giving Fund directly supports classroom expenses. Like all private schools, tuition does not the cover the full cost to educate a student. We rely on annual fund gifts to bridge the gap between tuition revenues and operating costs. Please support your child’s classroom with a contribution to this year’s Classroom Campaign!

Our 2011-12 goals: $150,000 and 100% participation. As of mid-February, we’ve raised $125,000 to date. Your gift will help us get closer to our goal.

Please review the two documents linked here as you consider your contribution: 1) a summary of several AGF-related FAQs, and 2) a suggested giving chart.

Other reminders:

  • Installment payments are welcome! Just fill out a remittance envelope and drop it off in the office indicating your gift amount. Then, between now and June 30, 2012, you can make payments easily from a savings or checking account. This eases the burden of a lump sum contribution.
  • We welcome employer matching gifts! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. Check with your employer’s Human Resources department to determine if they offer a match. Some of the companies who do include: General Mills, Medtronic, United Health, US Bank, Ameriprise Financial, Piper Jaffray, among others. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. We can do the rest. The impact of your gift to CLWS may be doubled or possibly tripled! Some companies also match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses.

Click here to view the full 2011-2012 Annual Giving Fund brochure.

Donate Now!

All gifts to the City of Lakes Waldorf School are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law