At Kimberton Waldorf School education is personal. Their highly trained faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure each KWS student receives a unique education focusing on how to think, not what to think. They achieve this in a variety of ways, but perhaps the most important is teaching individuals, not a group standard. The faculty at KWS challenge themselves and each other to place focus on experiential, creative lessons which change from year to year depending on the unique needs and backgrounds of the students, current events or happy surprises found along the way. It's one of many differences you'll find at a Waldorf school. Some are obvious, others are more subtle. Let's take a look at the top five attributes of a Waldorf education that truly sets them apart.
1). Integrated Music Program
Music is pivot in a Waldorf education and is weaved throughout a students journey. Starting in the lower school, during Main Lesson each day, students learn vocal and instrumental songs (via flute and recorder) in addition to choral music. When they reach fourth grade each student will learn to play a string instrument. By the time students reach high school, they can choose to diversify into playing brass, woodwinds, and percussion, along with their choral instruction. Music is a part of life at Kimberton and students even participate in school-wide concerts strengthening the bond that makes KWS feel like family.
2). No textbooks (for the most part).
At KWS lessons are learned more organically. They incorporate storytelling, art, music and hands on experiments. Sometimes, there's just no avoiding a math book, but for the most part books are for supplemental instruction, not the primary focus. In fact, KWS students document what they've learned each day, creating their own main lesson books!
3). Life Skills and Practical Curriculum
In addition to science, math, social studies and all the usual suspects. Students at Kimberton also learn sewing, gardening, farming, food preservation & woodworking. There is a heavy influence on the arts- each student learns to play an instrument and sing in a choir. By senior year, students are eligible for practicums and off campus experiential learning trips- like a week long trip to Maine to study Marine Biology.
4). Emphasis on Play
Unstructured play time is a core value at KWS. It's essential to the early childhood curriculum, but free time outdoors is valued and built into the school day even through high school. Being outdoors with friends, burning off energy and learning to navigate relationships is essential for kids of all ages.
5). Nature
The heart of Kimberton Waldorf School is the natural campus. Students from preschool through 12th grade spend time outdoors each day, many times multiple times a day. The natural setting of the campus is a part of the curriculum. The school has a garden, orchards, and a working dairy farm attached- where students learn to plant, tend, harvest and produce food- especially their famous yogurt. At KWS nature and learning are inextricably intertwined and they wouldn't have it any other way.
If you think a Waldorf education may be the right fit for your family, contact them today! Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is open NOW!
Kimberton Waldorf School
410 W. Seven Stars Road
Kimberton, PA 19460
