Olympia Waldorf School

PO BOX 130

Olympia, WA 98507

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 16, 2024

We looked all over Thurston and Pierce Counties for the right private school and let me just start by saying, we made the right choice. It first started for us looking for a pre-K during Covid as a need, but instead it turned into gaining a whole community of friends that we adore. Since we are not the most religious in terms of being Christian or Catholic, some of the private schools in the area had too much focus on religion. Others pre-K schools felt as though we would have just been hiring a babysitter. Waldorf was a breath of fresh air, literally. The kids actually spend time outside in nature! Being kids, getting muddy, pretend play and learning about the wonders of our world. They focus on the whole child, not just academics and there are no grades, no tests, no homework and instead teach a love of learning. Not only that, they throw some really rad festivals and events for the kids - magical even! We are so blessed to have found a fun and safe place to call school.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2018

My daughter has been incredibly happy with her experience thus-far at OWS. She's connected with her teachers, shown a renewed passion for learning, and been excited to go to school.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2018

Olympia Waldorf School was just what our daughter needed. She started kindergarten at one of the Olympia School District's sought after alternative programs. Though the program's curriculum differed in some ways from traditional public school, it was still public school. The class sizes were large, the classrooms often chaotic, recess times limited, the teachers struggling to meet the needs of so many different children (with minimal support from the administration), and academics were being pushed at inappropriately young ages (kindergarten is the new first or second grade in public school). We made the switch to OWS mid-year and the shift in our daughter was remarkable. On our drive home from the interview our daughter remarked "this is MY school, Mom, this is the school for me." She went from being tearful before and after school to smiling and excited. Now in her third year at OWS she is thriving. She is drawn to math and reading, and is learning German, knitting, flute, and is getting ample time to move and be outside. She enjoys going to school, and loves her teacher. We look forward to our younger daughter starting at OWS next fall. Outside of the classroom, I have been impressed with the administration's commitment to fostering a thriving school environment, and ensuring it's long-term sustainability through quality programming, ensuring fair wages for staff and faculty, and maintaining a balanced budget. Our family is very thankful for OWS!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2017

My children have been attending OWS for 4 years & we are so pleased with the education they are receiving. There are no screens, state testing, or overcrowded & overstimulating classrooms. The students are given space to explore their world while getting a quality education. The magic of childhood is valued & preserves as students build skills & confidence. The Waldorf curriculum is brought in a way that is open minded with little dogma.While the school has experienced staff turn over the last couple of years, they continue to strive to provide quality education with well trained teachers. We could not be happier!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2017

Any family looking to attend this school should make certain to do their due diligence. The information regarding OWS online is largely out of date and grossly incorrect. There remains ONE grades teacher with any experience or respect for Steiner education. There is zero leadership and that is apparent in the fact that classroom teachers have been fleeing at alarming rates, even newly hired teachers choose to leave before the school year is out. The "leadership" has for some grades hired the uneducated/trained playground staff to "fill-in" as a classroom teachers. Despite the fact that tuition has increased every year 6-10% for four years the school has failed to retain the fabulous teachers that once made this school a great school. It is in pitiful shape and it is shameful. Money is not the problem here. The people that currently lead and teach at this school do not have the skill nor the ability to live up to the school's mission.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2016

I am very pleased with the quality of education at OWS. The teachers are dedicated to the growth of the whole child, emotional, physical and academic. My children have thrived there and they love school.
Submitted by other on July 05, 2016

The school acknowledges that its educational approach is based on Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy (or 'spiritual science') but doesn't explain how it informs the school's theory of child development. Children are reincarnated spirits and the teacher's role is to guide the child's development in line with the child's karmic destiny through the emergence of three bodies that happens in 7-year cycles. They do this in coordination with the child's angel and by working with the child's being in their sleep life. This is all literally believed by teachers and teachers do not explain the basis for their approach to education to parents.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2016

My daughter struggles with dyslexia. Prior to this school, she also dealt with ADD. Both were diagnosed and she had been receiving private tutoring for some time. She entered Olympia Waldorf School in the 3rd grade after other private schools refused to admit her, stating that her reading deficit would keep her from participating and succeeding in the classroom. This school has been a blessing. For the first time, she is picking up books on her own to read. She is still quite a bit behind but the teacher adapted to her needs and they do have different levels of reading groups (just like at public schools). Because this school focuses on growth of the child, not just academic achievement, my daughter is getting a great well-rounded education that does not focus on her weaknesses but gives her confidence. In addition, much of her ADD inattentiveness has faded away. She participates in class rather than daydreaming. There is lots of movement time that keeps kids' brains AND bodies moving.
Submitted by other on November 16, 2015

There are a lot of advantages to a school where classroom sizes are small, parents are involved and charge tuition. This insures that there is little diversity at the school which is the primary reason people are here.The school has strong community, but academics are suspect. This is another example of an 11-year old that could not read AT ALL. Be prepared to shell out additional dollars for private tutoring if you want your child to stay anywhere close to state grade level standards in reading, math or science. They refuse to adopt any use of technology at school, kids will leave middle school without being taught to type or use technology for anything other than Minecraft.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2015

Our family has been very pleased with the curriculum, teachers and community at Olympia Waldorf School. Our children have been attending for the past eight years, and I am continually impressed with the quality of work the children produce, the true hands-on learning that takes place, the beautiful music and art that is infused in almost every lesson, the dedication and passion of the teachers, and the joy that my children express each day. I would urge anyone considering Waldorf to visit the school to see first-hand the holistic, engaging and beautiful curriculum that is offered. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for this type of education for their child.
Submitted by other on April 30, 2015

This is the worst school I have ever seen. They are more concerned with their program than the students. Our 11 year old grandchild can barely read or write and for the past four years the school has done nothing about it. No plan, no action. Their program believes that a child will learn to read when they are ready. Well, not in all cases. Our other 9 year old grandchild has been suspended three times for shockingly minor offenses: two boys pushing in line - suspension, playing an imagination game and naming a character a "luddite" - suspension, answering out of turn in class - suspension. The teacher has no classroom management skills. They may be caring but for these two boys they aren't nurturing. From an angry grandparent.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

I would like to point out that most of the reviews from the last many years give the school 5 Stars! The low reviews are from 6-7 years ago. The administration structure has been modified in the last few years and it feels a lot more organized and efficient. I have been really happy about OWS; this will be my son's 7th year there. I love that there is such awareness of each child. 6 of the 8 grades teachers have already taken a class through the years and have returned to lead a new class. The kindergarten teachers have also been there for a long time. The Dean is wonderful. Obviously there is not one school that is a good fit for every family, and the ones who have a problem are the ones who go online and vent about it. Also I have heard a couple families complain about things, but they didn't try to communicate with the teacher or the school. I have had a couple concerns over the years, and by reaching out to teachers or staff, things always resolve quickly, gracefully and completely. It helps to learn about Waldorf education, to make sure it is a good fit for your family. Ask questions; read books. I find it really beautiful now that I understand it more.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2014

OWS is a great school for teaching the whole person. I have two boys and they have been attending school here since before first grade. Waldorf Schools are great for teaching kids through active play rather then training them to sit still in a desk and regergitate facts. I have been very pleased with both my children's teachers, they are very talented and caring.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

OWS is a wonderful loving school. They educate the whole child inside and out. The children are cared for and supported by everyone at the school. We have one child currently enrolled and have 2 more starting over the next 2 years. I couldn't find a better place for our children. They encourage active learning, love of learning and love of the world around them. Pretty cool to arrive on campus and see kindergarteners playing outside in the dirt mounds doing their 'work', grade schoolers learning to play the flute and reciting verse, and 8th graders singing in perfect harmony. Truly a special place to learn and grow.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2014

My son has been at OWS for 2 years now and our experience has been very positive. The teachers are skilled, caring and dedicated to the students. The parents care deeply about this school and work hard to create a healthy transparent community. I look forward to going to the school so I can connect and chat with the teachers and families. The families are so friendly and feel like family to me and my son leaves the play yard happy and with a deep sense of well-being.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2013

I love the school! I admit to being skeptical of the Waldorf method at first but am a believer now that I have seem my child blossom with time. Many of the mediocre or negative reviews do not reflect the current state of the school teachers, administration and staff. The new Dean of Students was recruited after a national search from Taos, New Mexico and is a wonderful person and teacher!
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2013

A truly wonderful school in every way. Having evaluated several Waldorf schools throughout the country, we enrolled our child at OWS and have been extremely happy with the decision. The teachers are simply outstanding, very dedicated, and the governance of the school is transparent and equally excellent. The students are obviously very, very happy there and thriving. All private schools go through phases and I suspect that some of the less flattering comments here may reflect earlier problems, but those have been corrected. Overall we, and more importantly our child, could not be happier with Olympia Waldorf School.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2013

OWS has a beautiful campus and some dedicated staff and teachers. The school has historically gone through high teacher turn-over, and lack of administrative leadership. The parent association has no power (just to prepare events), the board lacks independent thinking because it is too cozy with the school administration, and the senior leadership makes their own decisions without involving others. Financial problems are common due to poor forecasting. Too much is expected from parents in financial turns though not their input. Some teachers are very inexperienced, and there is some unattended bullying. Overall, it is an environment that needs many changes, and most certainly, a good full time administrator to make marketing and finances work. Good luck, OWS.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2012

Amazing teachers, staff, & program. Imagine a school where the teachers-student ratio is >1:20, where the arts are a part of learning, where kids 5 -13 play and care about each other. Imagine YOUR child happy, singing in the halls at home, wanting to read and waking up EXCITED to go to school. This is Olympia Waldorf School. We have had 2 boys at OWS, both are kind, strong and creative and critical thinkers. We will forever be thankful to the school and its teachers for helping us raise good people.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2012

OWS is hands down the best school a child could attend. From pre-school to 8th grade, you are not only giving your child a quality education and invaluable life skills but also a truly priceless childhood. Our child has attended the Olympia Waldorf School since 2007. From the get go, my husband and I agreed that we would evaluate the school each year when deciding whether or not to renew our enrollment contract. The results have been (consistently, I might add): We LOVE the OWS and are very, very, very happy and pleased with our experience so far.