Tamarack Waldorf School

1150 East Brady Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

36 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 16, 2023

If you would have told me a year a few months ago that this is how I would rate Tamarack, I would have called you a liar. The school bold face lies when they say they support the diversity of their student body. They have protected teachers who have physically put their hands on children. The atmosphere at Tamarack is heavy and hard. Going to school should not be difficult. The pressure put on parents at this school is immense. No busing, lunches have to come from home (within their "healthy" criteria). The community there is only shallow. Professionalism is rare. Communication between one of my children's teachers and families did not exist. It was blind trust. The number of unsupported neurodivergent children at TWS, is large. There is a special education teacher but that doesn't matter if the main teacher and assistant do not have teacher training. When my family started at TWS, there was a family who was pushed out because of their kindergartner's neurodivergence. I thought, that won't happen to us. It did. We received a letter at 7am on a Saturday morning after I spent four weeks in class, supporting my child, while he awaited the results of a neuro-psychological assessment for ADHD. WHO KICKS OUT A 6 YEAR OLD WHILE THEY ARE AWAITING A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION? Teachers without certifications. Which means DPI doesn't have any oversight for these teachers. I was told that "Children like my child go somewhere else." School choice has been championed but who is the choice for? Neurotypical children or children who can mask. That school shames families for their children's neurotype, not providing any support or even referring families to outside resources.Faculty at the school knowing one teacher can get out of control with children, so they keep an eye on him.An administrator who did not document this same teacher putting his hands on my child after I demanded it. The school does not pay a living wage. I was a champion for the school and volunteered countless hours there. We lost almost our entire community when we were kicked out.We did not realize how bad it was until we left. We are now in a school where the teachers and faculty are EXCITED to teach. The energy in the building is light and happy. Learning does not have to be heavy and difficult.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2021

Tamarack Waldorf School is a wonderful community that provides holistic education by expert teachers. Children thrive socially, academically and creatively at Tamarack. If you are looking for a vibrant school community that educates the whole child, I highly recommend Tamarack Waldorf School.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2021

Tamarack Waldorf School provides a holistic and family centered approach to education. They are persistent, consistent and innovative when supporting children with different learning abilities. Their leadership, teachers, and support staff are consistent with modeling core values such as respect, kindness, and compassion. Tamarack also facilitates creativity, responsibility and independence within their young scholars. Our family is happy to be a part of this education community.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2021

The faculty and staff of Tamarack go above and beyond for the students. This is a warm and caring community! If you are looking for a nurturing, safe and magical place for your child - this is it! They focus on not just academics but a wholistic education although, the students are able to compete academically and gain placement in many of the best high schools in Milwaukee. Arts, nature, stories and human connection are the focus. We LOVE our school!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2019

Any reviews before 2019 are a reflection on the previous administrative and teaching staff. There is a new administrator, board of governance, and many staff and teachers have changed as well.The school can only be describes as "Waldorf-ish" at this point. The administration has changed many policies, including the required sharing of your contact info and childs private school info to a 3rd part company, which requires internet access. The outside company has a very invasive privacy policy.The office staff has changed, and it takes multiple calls and visits to take care of business, such as dropping off doctors notes and asking questions regarding policy changes. Parents questions are handed off to random office staff (that are handling that now), and there seems to be a limit on the allowed amount of direct communication.All teacher and classroom business is now done through an app on the phone, and no other options are given to parents that do not have, or want a smartphone.Things may adapt over time, but this year, the communication at the school has really changed for the worse. The parents tend to be very cliquey, and if you do not have an "in" at the school, you will be left in the dark about most of the goings on. Tamarack really needs to adjust to be a more inclusive community.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2017

The high school meets the whole child. It is a wonderful blend of students new to Waldorf education and students who have been Waldorf students their whole lives (or at least for many years). With a diverse student base, this Waldorf high school is the only one in the country that really seems to have a student body that is reflective of the very city it serves. The work done there by the teachers is amazing. The students and the families who have chosen this school are choosing a path to the future: this is a school that encourages every student to think for themselves, to imagine a better future for all, and to make a positive mark on all those around them.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2017

The High School is extremely discriminatory. While the elementary school is predominately white, the high school is primarily Black and Hispanic. White students are treated like innocent teens while Black students are treated like inappropriate young adults. The teachers take no time to get to know the parents or students to help bridge the cultural and racial gap. I would not recommend this high school to parents of African American children. There is a huge lack of cultural competency among the staff.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2015

Beautiful environment, challenging curriculum, social skills taught at every turn. I see happy students here, eager to learn and engage, all the way through high school!
Submitted by other on June 01, 2015

There is a real effort to engage students in strong academic work, as well as social and emotional learning and practical work!
Submitted by other on May 19, 2015

I am a community member who has seen several sides of the school as an employee, parent, and neighbor. I would love to give an honest opinion (although less than 1200), and in general I feel that Tamarack is an above average school that can offer an amazing education to many students. That being said it has many flaws as well, and is not the right place for everyone; it is easy to fall through the (academic) cracks. Upon reading many of the reviews, I feel that most of the 5 stars were written in the honeymoon period, which can last quite a while. If you visit Tamarack at a community event or open-house, you will be flooded with lively sights, sounds and smells that are a comforting display that your children will be in good hands. This is not an out of the ordinary experience as most days are filled with these lively sights, sounds and smells, and the teachers are caring. I may include more thoughts about parents, students and faculty in other posts.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

Tamarack Waldorf School provides an alternative, thoughtful and personal approach to education. The teachers are thoughtful and compassionate. The classrooms are calming and welcoming. It is a school where children engage their imagination, encouraged to reach beyond their expectations and to define success by the progress they make, and develop sense of self inside the classroom. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by other on October 04, 2014

Now that Tamarack has opened a 9th grade, everything has changed! The school has two campuses, they were on the cover of the Journal, and they seem to be the talk of the twon. I ran into someone in Wauwatosa talking about them, then somebody on the south side. There are so many people excited to see what will become of this school as it grows. I have the feel that lots of new people are finding them, and that alot of positivity is out there about them. Good luck to you, Tamarack Waldorf School! You seem to be doing a great thing for Milwaukee's teenagers! We all want them to succceed. Kudos to you for such good work.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

Our children have attend Tamarack Waldorf School since K3. We were drawn to Tamarack by their deep reverence for each individual child. We lives their nurturing environment. We stayed at Tamarack, because the school has always lived up to our first impressions. As the children have grown, they are successfully and happily thriving both academically and socially. We feel that we are part of a wonderful community at Tamarack.
Submitted by other on April 29, 2014

I am a community member that lives two blocks from the school. While I do not have a child that attends the school, it is a great school to have located in my neighborhood. Tamarack fosters friendships and helps keep our community together in and out of the classroom. Teachers take students on walks throughout the neighborhood, having the opportunity to connect with neighbors, including myself. I think it s wonderful that students have the opportunity to grow up with a sense of community. I also find Waldorf education a great method for teaching children, particularly the school s high belief in cultivating a lifelong love of learning in all children. If I had a child, I would definitely send him or her here.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

My son started at Tamarack 5 years ago in K-3. Although it did take some getting used to, we have grown to love the curriculum and the teaching philosophy that exists in a Waldorf school. My son is thriving in such a low-stress, low-anxiety environment. Over the past few years, great strides have been made to improve communication with parents which has been greatly appreciated. It is, overall, a great school and we plan to send our younger children there as well.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2013

Tamarack is a unique, diverse, urban Waldorf school that has provided both my 9 year old daughter and my 8 year old son with exceptional educational experiences. The faculty at Tamarack are well-trained, experienced educators who whole-heartedly embrace the philosophical foundations of Waldorf education. The curriculum, the spirit of the school, and the emphasis on social interaction as a means of personal growth are the three main reasons we chose Tamarack in the first place. And they are the reasons we continue to love and invest in our school.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

I have 2 children attending Tamarack Waldorf and I could not be happier with the staff, administration and school community. I have been especially grateful for the shifting in "keeping children young" and away from the fast paced life that threatens to overtake us. I am very comfortable with the approach to academics, inclusion of nature and school celebrations. I could not be more thrilled with natural objects, supplies, and handiwork and the absence of advanced technology in the k3-8 grades. There is plenty of time and exposure for technology and my children are thriving in this enviroment. They are both happy to go to school each day and happy to return for school events. We as a family are fortunate to have a Waldorf school so close.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

My daughter started at this school in K4, and I love watching how this school nurtures her and prepares her for the road ahead. She is now in first grade and everyday she comes home excited about the Spanish lesson, the handwork, drawing and music she is learning. I love how the school teaches the whole. I am able to watch my daughter learn her Spanish through songs and action. Instead of straight memorizing. By learning multiple ways she will have a better chance at remembering. I am so thankful my daughter is able to be taught all subjects, including physical activity and the arts. I am very blessed to be part of this community.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

My child has attended Tamarack since K4. We didn't know much about Waldorf education in advance of enrollement, and primarily chose Tamarack because it was a neighborhood school that seemed to reflect our values. The diverse community reflects the world that we want our child to experience as normal. Our child tends towards the dreamy and artistic side of her nature, and we appreciate the fact that this is nurtured by the school community. The Waldorf model does require a commitment by the family, and the relationship to the classroom teacher is central to that - of the parent(s) and of the child. So perhaps that is not always for everyone. But if trust can established and communications are open on both sides, it is a great option for families to consider for their children in the greater Milwaukee area.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

This is an excellent waldorf k-8 school that teaches the whole child from the inside out, these students are fully prepared to enter and compete when they reach high school. I like the knitting, music and movement classes. As well as the spanish and drawing lessons.The fairy tale stories and story like math concepts in first grade prepare the children with a rich and expressive life in reading and math. At Tamarak learning is like building with blocks, each lesson, each concept creates a whole picture. This is a community school where everyone helps to build a great school and parental involvement is the key to a child's success. My only wish for the school is to have it be Spanish Immersion, I've gone to Spanish Immersion schools and I truly enjoyed being immersed in the language and the culture and I want that for my kids.