Maple Village Waldorf School

4017 East 6th Street

Long Beach, CA 90814

35 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 04, 2024

This is a wonderful school that focuses on holistic learning of the whole child, treats each child as an individual, and helps them become critical thinkers, teaching them how to learn instead of just how to memorize facts. They learn a myriad of skills that develop them as human beings, and learn things that are unique for brain development like writing in cursive and learning how to knit and crochet. Academically they surpass their peers in public education by about the 5th grade, while the younger grades focus on a more holistic approach that teachers them how things work and how to care for one another. I cannot recommend this school enough,
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2024

My child had attended public school since TK; however, after having had a tough time emotionally in 7th grade, we were looking for something smaller and more supportive. At the time of applying and enrolling, my son was still recovering from mental health issues and was identifying as transgender and with a different name than before. This school was very supportive and welcoming. They allowed him the space he needed to come into his own and figure out who he was. Overall, my son flourished at this school. The support, emotionally, socially and academically, was amazing. They provided so many opportunities for growth. Although his younger brother was doing well in all areas, he saw how amazing the school was and now is excited to go there for 7th and 8th grade. I am so glad we can give this gift to our children. I also had the chance to get to know all the kids in the graduating class last year. They all loved their experiences at MVW and their graduation speeches brought many to tears. Some choose to go to performing arts high schools, but many are moving on to Honors track at local public schools or even schools that excel in Math and Science. I love how this school prioritizes students social and emotional health, as well as academics (which is unlike public school).
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2024

I feel that I need to warn other parents. I was drawn into the “magic” that I thought this school had. It wasn’t until years in did I realize that my child and I were constantly being gaslit and manipulated. I thought MV was my child’s safe space and it turned out to be an extremely toxic environment. My child experienced emotional abuse and was ostracized. My child was also discriminated against for their disability and learning differences daily. This is not a safe place for any child that doesn’t “fit into the box.” This school is far from inclusive even though they advertise themselves as such. The leadership here is non existent and your voice will never be heard.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2024

I'm not sure where to start with this review of Maple Village Waldorf School. So, i'll start with a quote that recently resonated with me: "We can think of families as soil, schools as sunlight, and the presence of compassionate adults in the community as rainwater and fertilizer that will create the conditions under which children are most likely to blossom." For my children, Maple Village is that school, and the staff and parents at Maple Village are that compassionate presence. My children have been attending Maple Village since they were very young and each teacher has held them incredibly well. From preschool onwards, the children are treated as developing humans, all unique in their own way. The children are engaged in the daily activities, connected with nature, helpful to their classmates, and they are kind, both to themselves and to others. The middle school students are grounded, and amidst the typical teenage banter, I have heard them holding intellectual conversations, without cell phones in their hands. On the playground, in-between children climbing, imagining, and constructing, there are children with their noses in books -- not because it is required reading, but because they are genuinely absorbed in a book for pleasure. I have seen 7th and 8th graders ask the preschoolers and kindergartners if they would like to be included instead of shooing them away. I have held hundreds of pages completed by a student in upper elementary -- full of cursive writing, beautiful colors, and artful expression. These are just a few snippets of interactions have made an impression on me over the past few years. When reading reviews for schools, I think it is important to remember that not every school is going to be a good fit for a family, and not every family is going to be a good fit for a school. I encourage you to tour the school, ask the questions, and go at pick-up and speak with the parents inevitably standing outside because their children want "just 5 more minutes" at school. I hope that you too, will see and feel the magic of Maple Village Waldorf School as so many others have.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2024

The school lacks leadership. They mismanage their money and lean on parents to supplement their shortcoming each year.Children have been found wandering the street. The school has no playground.The only teachers that stand out as wonderful are Miss Charlotte and teachers in early childhood development.During the grades, MVWS will convince you your child is on the right trajectory. They’re behind and it’s part of the process. The majority do not catch up. They are so far behind, it becomes difficult to do so.Run far away and find a real school.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2024

When my family enrolled at MVWS we need something better than where we were. We recognized that our 6 year old’s public school was not the place for her and needed to find a solution. Honestly I had no clue what Waldorf education was. The first time I read the name “Maple Village Waldorf School” I instantly thought of the fancy hotel and old money family. Then I visited the website, saw high school graduate stats and Ivy League colleges vying to enroll these Waldorf student graduates and thought why not give it a try. As we adapted our first school year, our “quick fix" became more, the building blocks clicked into place, our child began to shine, the why’s of this education started to be answered for us, and most importantly Maple Village became not an institution for education but a second home for our family. Now many years in with both daughters enrolled in this special place, our daughters and their classmates are being held with firm but gentle hands of not only their main teacher but all of the faculty and staff of the school. Parent education and meetings have helped us gain tools and understanding to this education and our children that we didn’t even know we needed. Our family has grown together and we feel like we have become better parents and our best selves thanks to Maple Village and it’s community. I am so thankful for the rough trial we had starting our eldest daughter’s education without it we would have never given MVWS a chance and we would have missed out immensely on all that it has gifted us.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2022

Out of respect to the teacher, I am not sharing her name here. During our initial entrance interview, the teacher proposed that we take our child to school on a trial basis for assessment. On first day of school, the teacher and some parents were talking about being tired due to daylight saving. Out of the blue, the teacher asked me," do they have daylight saving in China?" I replied,"I don't know." She asked," aren't you from China?" I was shocked by her ignorance but gave her benefit of the doubt that she did not intent to belittle us or make us feel othered on first day of school. On our last day there, my child had a hard time at drop-off in the morning and refused to let go of my hand. The teacher told me she would give us 5 minutes and if he doesn't go in by himself, I should take him home. I agreed, especially if my child doesn't feel comfortable around her. The 5min count down made me anxious but it was what she said next that pushed us away. She mentioned my 5 year old son doesn't speak English and that he may not understand instructions. I reminded her that he does because my husband and I speak English at home but we made the decision to only speak Mandarin to our children. After that, she suggested that I take him to "Chinese groups" to socialize. Her remarks about us joining some "Chinese group" and assumptions about me is something I never expected from a kindergarten teacher. After spending a few days trying to process our experience,I made the decision to speak up and share our story with the community and school. The teacher's excuse is she was just trying to be helpful, meant no harm...which are all predictable answers. Sometimes your mean no harm comments will hurt people the most, especially for culturally marginalized groups. We started at a new school the following week.When I spoke to our new teacher on day 2 about my son not being able to speak English, she told me twice that my son "speaks well". On the 3rd day, he waved goodby, walked into class by himself and did not look back. Turns out we just needed a teacher who would accept him for who he is. As for the teacher at Maple Village, she is still a kindergarten teacher there.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2021

Each child is seen by the teacher and supported by the entire staff. The curriculum is aligned with children's developmental stages and tailored to their needs. Students are fostered to grow into resilient, capable, intelligent and kind humans. The community support is felt strongly. It is progressive in its approach to caring for the environment and uplifting the diversity within its community. It is a true gem that isn't scared to grow and change, even if it is hard. They also do it with as much grace as possible.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2021

The staff and faculty are certainly worth their weight in good after the tremendous effort they made during the COVID year. They pivoted as best they could during the lockdown to and online model. They were the first school in LB to get a waiver and probably the first to go back indoors. Teaching outdoors was an incredible challenge and the school came through and worked to get back indoors and on the campus as soon as possible. The engagement with parents is also fantastic, we had book clubs, lectures, parent meetings, etc…the school did all they could to support us! The other parents are all very supportive, it’s a real community with no drama or competition. Waldorf is a different model but I promise your child will benefit from this approach. They won’t be handed iPads or worksheets, instead they will learn through stories, creative endeavors, movement, and play. The faculty really take an individualized and strengths based approach. My son loves leaning, he genuine intellectual interests and it is happening at a healthy pace. I really encourage parents to give Maple Village a shot. M
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2020

Excellent education: teachers, support staff, administration, and parent body all equally committed to creating an ideal place for children to learn. With math and literacy skills at the forefront and thoughtfully embedded throughout the curriculum, the school's approach guarantees that children learn typical subjects through a variety of means. Studying multiple additional subjects-- Spanish (and Japanese through aftercare offerings), handwork (such as knitting!), art, and music -- with a big dose of active learning through movement, provides a varied and engaging day for children. Not ONCE in three years at the school has our son ever dragged his feet to go to school. He's excited to go to Maple Village, is happy to be there, feels simultaneously loved and challenged by his teachers, and always wants to be with his classmates. His command of language, comprehension skills, and desire to create and perfect his abilities are all very striking. Even his love of knitting, which has made some relatives roll their eyes, has interesting aspects: hand-eye coordination, fine motor skill control, mastery of a life skill and pride in the act of creating--all will stand him in good stead as he matures (future surgeon? architect? engineer?). Add to that an environment where respect for the individual combine with commitment to the common good, and you would be hard pressed to find a more nurturing, supportive, challenging, rigorous, and creative school.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2020

I can not express how amazing finding this school has been for our family. We now have three children attending and next year it will be four. It is not just a school...its a way of life. It isn't just about learning while sitting at a desk. It is about learning while moving, playing music, singing and being a part of a community. It units families and children while giving them a curriculum that is rich in color, sounds and story telling. While having an opportunity to home school my oldest son, I have been so impressed with the care of the teachers and truly can not say enough good stuff about Maple Village. We love you Maple Village!!!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2019

10++++ We love Maple Village and wish we could move it to the East Coast where we moved to. Our experience there was wonderful and felt like we were surrounded by the most loving teachers. Their Leader is dedicated , loving and leads the school with her personal vision of a better future. My child thrived there and we saw the light inside him brighten by being in their care. The work the children do is beautifully cared for by the individual and it shows with each assignment. They learn to care and support their class as a team and it reflects in each child's commitment to their friends. They work to conquer the mountain together and share in each others wins. If we could have stayed in CA we would have never left Maple Village. Our Son misses this school and all the friendly faces who cared for him, many who still check in on him to this day.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2019

I'm going to be honest: I'm a successful entrepreneur. I have one son. I can pay any price I want to get him educated. At the cost of five-figures, I hired one of the top educational doctors/counselors in LA and had her make a survey of the best schools for my young boy. As an entrepreneur, my rubric for picking a school was based as follows - the elementary school must: 1. Cater to different learning styles. 2. High emphasis on creativity. 3. Allow the students to play, particularly outside. 4. Attention to curriculum and structure, but higher attention to a student's self esteem. I wanted a school that would LOVE my son. The counselor came back with five schools: a. UCLA Lab School. b. Muse School of LA. c. Manzanita School of Malibu. d. The Oaks School. e. Maple Village of Long Beach. - Manzanita was out because we needed kindergarten (but its an awesome school). Muse, UCLA, and Oaks were all terrific. The deciding choice on Maple Village is the founder - Lisa McCarthy. Of all the schools above, Maple Village was the one that was most accessible. It is small, cozy, and there's an immediate warmth of family the moment you walk in. Our son, who has learning challenges, has an amazing gameplan set for him. Our teacher met with his all of his therapists, made sure they were collaborating well on the curriculum, and also welcomes them to the class. The result? Our child's challenging habits have gotten better! He is intensely curious, can't stop talking, loves to learn, and is utterly emphatic and kind to others. It's been a slam dunk and every dollar I spent trying to find Maple Village was worth it. Many parents want their children to be successful entrepreneurs, like Jeff Bezos, Whitney Wolfe or Steve Jobs. Believe me - these three were not straight-A students. But when it came to creativity, social skills and an ability to understand others, they were ahead of all. And that is the education I wanted for my son. If money is no object and you want the best for your child, you'll be hard-pressed to find better than Maple Village in LA. And surprisingly, Maple Village is SUPER CHEAP (it should honestly cost more). Don't judge a school by how much it charges for tuition - judge them by the leadership. Maple Village is amongst a handful of the finest.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2019

This school is a true Waldorf school where every child is valued for who he is and what gift they brought to this world. The teachers hold children so beautifully. The staff are kind and courteous. The Dean has a big heart and is a wonderful person. Because of her, Maple Village is shining so brightly.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2018

Our family has been at Maple Village Waldorf School for 7 years now. The school is like a second home and the community like extended family. You know it is a special place when your children want to go to school even when they are sick and beg to go back during breaks. We stared in the Parent Tot class and are now in the Grades. Watching the development of my children's imagination through open ended play and stories in Parent Tot and preschool and now those "aha" moments with reading and mathematics, has been so amazing to witness. With the Waldorf philosophy of teaching the "head, heart, body and spirit" and the thoughtfulness and reverence of the Maple Village teachers and faculty, my children have developed a true love of learning and I have found a team of support for raising creative, freethinking, empathetic, individual human beings.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2018

Very disorganized and unhelpful staff, especially the Dean Of Education.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2017

We love the teachers, we love the community. All the kids are equal. There are 9 kids in my sons class with one teacher and an assistant. If my son has a conflict with another kid at school (which is always resolved) the teacher calls us to tell us about it. They work through their toddler misunderstandings with the help of the teachers. Our son LOVES this school and we are happy he is there.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2017

Bullying problems are not handled and there's an unwillingness to handle them based on some nondescript ideologies. Ever heard of Waldorf Watch?Multiple students left recently due to being bullied, often leaving at 1-2 year lower than grade level in academic performance. Small yard with inadequate supervision and lack of reporting when sustaining injuries/insults. Conflict resolution is inadequate or non-existent, and is based on social rules and natural consequences such that intensification and/or repetition of negative behavior is common. Teachers lack training for kids with special emotional and learning needs and administration is unwilling to get it but more than willing to receive the funds from enrolling your child because they depend on it. Teacher gave preference to veteran and dominant children in our class. There is no gender balance (even 1 girl and 9 boys in a class) and no adherence to sensitivity training for children of different genders and girls. My child's teacher had poor classroom management and cried often when the children did not behave. If your child is bullied they will be blamed for it by the school and the kids and their parents. Be careful enrolling your child here and know fully the consequences if things don't work for your child and especially if your child is 'different.'
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2017

We love the community and the caring shared among all the students and teachers at this wonderful gem in Long Beach. Maple Village helps educate the whole child with such joy that going to school each day is what my kids ask for instead of avoid, and the blossoming and growing of their strength, integrity, and creativity along with the academics is so rewarding for me. Thank you Maple Village!
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2017

As a public school educator (Speech pathologist) I get to see every day the differences between the Waldorf education and public school education. Although I work at one of the top schools in Long Beach I see key things that are missing in the curriculum of the public schools. The Waldorf education incorporates so many aspects that adhere to the natural development of the child's brain. Mostly the child at a Waldorf school may not even know they are learning. Because of my own education which incorporated many brain and child development teachings I greatly appreciate the way my children are learning at Maple Village. I am happy they not only benefit academically but strive at building their will, imagination, problem solving skills and confidence. Our family greatly cherishes the community, care, love (hugs) and inspiration that the teachers and staff at Maple Village have embraced our family with.