Honolulu Waldorf School

350 Ulua Street

Honolulu, HI 96821

36 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

I agree with another reviewer that this is the worst school on the island! They were all written in the context of years ago or with long-distance alumni. It was horrible several years back and is still very accurate today. If you look at the other reviews here, you will note they are from a long time ago or a grandparent noting a remote experience. The faculty and staff are barely educated and treat the students very poorly. The academics barely exist. I regret that my children attended this school, which is the sentiment of almost all parents who chose to place their children in the program for however long. I am writing a review here, but most schools control their social media pages. You will hear many shocking stories if you talk to people in the Hawaii Kai and the larger community.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2024

My son went to the school from preschool through seventh grade. It’s a wonderful and nurturing and honors the natural development of a child. It made him love school and he is now about to graduate from college and go onto grad school.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2018

I love our school. I am an alumni from the 80's and love the wholesome nature of our school. As a parent now, I know how important Honolulu Waldorf is for our future society. In todays fast paced world childhood can slip by in an instant but at Honolulu Waldorf School they truly care about childhood development and educate the whole child. Our son has been attending since first grade and everyday bugs me to hurry so we can get to school early. He has learned so many incredible things that he will keep with him for the rest of his life. At Waldorf the children are not mere consumers of education they are actual participants. They learn to see the bigger picture and how each individual has strengths that can be celebrated. If you want to be around a bunch of "Woke" kids have a conversation with a Waldorf student. Each day they are exposed to foreign language (Japanese & Spanish), lots of movement (games class & Hula), a rich music program all students begin Violin & Cello in gr 3. Lots of art through out the day to help with creative expression. Every year each grade does their own class play....the list goes on and on. Plus the children learn to live with kindness and the superficial material world isn't what excites these children....truly the love of nature and life long learning is what excites a Waldorf student.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2017

In 2003 I began my search for the perfect school for my daughter. I visited many preschools but the moment I stepped foot on the grounds of HWS, I knew my search was over. My daughter graduates this year, 14 years after that visit so long ago. HWS has given my daughter love, community, support, confidence and life long friends. She's excelled in both sports and academics. She was accepted into every college she applied to, but beyond that, my daughter went to school day after day, year after year with a smile on her face. HWS provided an environment that was safe, nonjudgmental, encouraging, filled with teachers and peers that were nothing short of parental figures and siblings. 14 years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life, I'm just sad it's coming to an end.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2015

Worst school on the island. No rules. Teachers are barely trained. Bullying is allowed. After our son attended 1 year of preschool and were so disappointed and frustrated with the school, that we left.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2014

Would not recomend this school. Elementary teachers are not properly trained to handle communication with parents. School lacks in organization, have problems with bullying and it seem to have a lot of gossip. Unless you are willing to follow all their rules, which seems to be getting made up as they go alone, - perhaps you are better off with any other school on the island.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

f you think this Waldorf School is like other successful Waldorf Schools, PLEASE THINK AGAIN. The grades are a GAMBLE depending on the TEACHER your child will have for 8 YEARS. There is little to no accountability for poor quality and inconsistent standards of education and behavior. The admin and faculty dogma is closely held in secrecy which is part and parcel to the Rudolph Steiner s teachings and if questioned you will receive patent answers with little thought to your child s specific needs. If you find a faculty member that is willing to listen without prejudice to your concerns, good luck. Even the faculty who are known amongst their colleagues for poor performance have job safety. Many families have left this school after investing many years in it because their concerns have been systematically swept under the rug. Mum's the word here. I for one fell under the spell of this school. I found that my child and the majority of classmates that stayed were left with such deficits in academics that intense interventions were needed for most. Our class started with 14 or more and ended with 4. Be aware of retention rates at this school. They differ among the faculty greatly.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2014

I think this School is very special. Teachers care about each student and they watch over them very closely. My son has been in this school since first grade and he is now Freshman at High School. He has become well rounded teen ager and I can proudly say same about all his class mates. You do not have to worry about bullies in this school, because they are taught to be true to yourself and to think outside of the box. That is why each students can accept different type of personalities and be able to enjoy one another as a group. I also love the fact the Waldorf School teaches importance of sustainability. I truly believe Waldorf education is the education for the future.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

This school has created the environment for my daughter to flourish in several aspects of her life. She has become very confident, secure and has opened to become a quite sociable being. Over the four years she has being there, she has developed her artistic skills highly. She is very comfortable with japanese, Spanish and Hawaiian languages. She's fascinated with math, which in most cases and schools, is the least favourite subject. I'm grateful to be able to give my daughter a waldorf education.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Our school campuses are safe nurturing environments for toddlers to middle schoolers, and for high schoolers. Both campuses are peaceful locations staffed with caring and committed staff. Under the new leadership of an administrator who is passionate about both the Waldorf philosophy and the growth of this recently struggling school community. Our administrator is focused and actively building a successful environment for staff & students. She also maintains an open door policy for the parent body, which I have personally utilized. Aloha & Mahalo for allowing me to rate our school.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

The Honolulu Waldorf Early (elementary+middle) School takes a holistic approach to education, addressing the childrens' physical, emotional, spiritual, social, as well as intellectual development, all consistent with the latest research on childhood education. The teachers are fabulous: they are highly qualified professionals who are dedicated to their work and the kids. The environment fosters education at the child's pace in a peaceful and stimulating venue.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

The school is small, so all the teachers know all the students by name. Most all the kids know each other too. My child says his school "is the BEST SCHOOL EVER", and he wants to go there every day. I love that my child is in a safe, loving, nurturing school. I love the philosophy of Waldorf and the caring community. Maybe the school could improve some of the buildings, which I think is already being talked about & is in the future plans.
Submitted by teacher on April 29, 2014

My three children attended Honolulu Waldorf and my grandchildren now do. The teachers are incredibly dedicated to their students, the curriculum is richly varied, broad and deep with the approach varying with the age and individual learning style. Children learn respect and responsibility, and care deeply for each other and the natural world. A visitor hears music, laughter, foreign languages, and poetry every day and sees happy, healthy children learning lifelong skills and finding their own paths for the future. It is truly a healing education for our difficult times.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Waldorf education is geared to the needs and strengths of individual students. There are no harder working teachers anywhere. Education can no longer be about facts and teaching to a test. It must be about learning to think critically. If you want your child to get an education that works for the 21st century, have them go to the Honolulu Waldorf School.
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2014

My granddaughter and grandson go to the Honolulu Waldorf School and my step son and step daughters went to the school. My wife teachers at the school and so do I--for over 30 years. HWS is a remarkable school environment for children and for young people because of its focus on creative learning and finding one s individuality. Its educational methods are well in advance of other schools that mistakenly seek progress in screen time and high stakes testing. The Waldorf School is truly an education for life and not just for college and the job market. The teachers have a say in all that goes on in the running of the school and take an interest in each child. No one slips through the cracks. The parent community is extremely warm and supportive of the work the teachers do. The two campuses, lower school in the valley and upper school by the ocean, are beautiful settings for growing up and learning in Hawai i. It is a pleasant place to be. Children love to come to school, parents, and teachers do too. Both campuses are in the long overdue process of upgrading facilities. Class sizes are small, quality is high, and it is one of the best-kept secrets of East O ahu and Honolulu schools!
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2014

My school teaches our children to creative thinkers, have compassion and moral strength with the courage and freedom to act. Our students will look you in the eye when they shake your hand, can sing, dance, draw, create art and incorporate of these skills in daily lessons.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Our enthusiasm for the school grows daily as we watch our daughter thrive. The sophistication and depth of subjects learned are impressive. The teachers are outstanding and the students highly engaged.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Aloha! My daughter is completing her 11th year at Honolulu Waldorf and I am eternally grateful.that she has been able to experience an education that meets her academically, emotionally and physically. As a dyslexic, she has been encouraged and she has thrived. The warm bond she has experienced with students and teachers is a source of strength for her to carry.with her into.the world. I too am pleased with the new administrator, who has made herself available to parents, and seems joyful and enthusiastic in her job.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Two of my children go to Honolulu Waldorf School. One in lower grade and one in middle school. I believe this is our 5th year or so attending HWS. I totally agree with many other comments about lack of leader ship but this has changed quite a bit this school year. Now, we have a very strong leader who knows what she is doing and it seems like everything is improving gradually but surely. I am much more hopeful about the school. I truly love the philosophy of Waldorf and this loving and strong community. My kids attended 6 different schools in their lives so far including local and schools in some other countries, but this school provides the best nurturing environment. I hope it keeps improving better education for our kids which they need.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Two of my children are visiting the Honolulu Waldorf School. My son Graduated in 2011, my daughter is 8th Grade. they always loved their school, I never had to push them to do their homework, etc. they are happy kids who manage their lives pretty well.