Waldorf School of Orange County - Reviews by Parents

Let's start again today shall we? Here comes Waldorf of Orange County... again,
heavy influence from Highland Hall's WISC program. Often, parents come into
Waldorf schools expecting the "image" WALDORF has sold them... they don't get
that here either.


Posted March 15, 2012
Waldorf education standards are amazing when taught in the right way. Meant to
embrace the individual strengths of a child, soften the focus on weaknesses &
provide a place of compassion, free of judgment. Waldorf School of O.C. has
translated that in to allowing the kids to express themselves in whatever manner
the child sees fit, with little social/emotional guidance. Kids threaten others
& act in cruel ways; allowed to express themselves at the expense of others.
Affects learning for those who need a stable, creative & caring place to be.
Education level is behind what it used to be. Class sizes range 30+. Kids
capable of more fall behind; can t concentrate w/surrounding chaos/not given the
attention needed. Specialty subjects seem perfection focused. Kids who aren t at
the same level as others sit out of orchestra, unable to participate with the
group & aren t provided with anyone to help them progress. Little to no
parent/teacher communication. Can t say this about every teacher, only what my
child has experienced. Have the same teacher/class 1st - 8th grade, so be
thorough when interviewing & spend time in the class. No community
garden/physical labor is not focused on
—Submitted by a parent

Posted December 11, 2011
This Waldorf is not one of the better Waldorfs in the nation. Our children have
one good teacher and one unexperienced teacher. The festivals and curriculum are
Waldorf but this school lacks social discipline and this shows up in the
students social interactions with each other, which are often aggressive.
Waldorf students around the world are known for being confident, compassionate
people who are able to help others in the world. Too much unwarranted confidence
at this school and not enough intelligent compassion. Many grades teachers are
too new and don't have enough Waldorf training to apply this education properly.
Emphasizing the whole child approach would work better here if the teachers had
the tools, but they are lacking. New children coming from other schools in the
grades may have a very hard time assimilating into the culture. Really interview
the teacher and parents before deciding. The new high school seems promising
with many new and experienced teachers. If this school could work on improving
their students and teachers social skills, it could be promising and possibly
worth the tuition. —Submitted by a parent

Posted April 27, 2011
I have been with the school, as a parent and teacher for 7 years. KI can tell
you without hesitation that the education at Waldorf Orange County is below what
you would get at a good public school. Yes, the arts are great. Yes, the
festivals are pretty. But, is that what we are paying for? Fifth graders who
can't compose a coherant paragraph? The majority of 8th graders who can't do
algebra? Do not be blinded by the surface beauty, the underbelly is not pretty!!
There is no administration. There is no consistency in the education. You are
rolling the dice with your child's future by enrolling them in Waldorf.
Beware!!! —Submitted by a parent

The last review gave the perfect "elevator speech" for Waldorf with this ominous
warning ... "You are rolling the dice with your child's future by enrolling them
in Waldorf. Beware!!!"