Marin Waldorf School

755 Idylberry Road

San Rafael, CA 94903

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 04, 2025

We are a new family to this school and have 2 children in attendance. The teachers have been so supportive of our transition to the area and facilitating friendships and a routine that builds confidence and independence for our little ones. There are lots of community events to participate in. The other families have been really welcoming which I was a little concerned about since we are Jewish and some people have made comments about Christianity and Waldorf, but we haven't seen or felt anything like that. We've been invited to share our traditions and have had the chance to learn about others'. It sounds like the Special Education program went through a bit of an overhaul because there is a lot of support now and after school groups not mentioned in previous reviews. We got here at the right time! They just planted all these trees with a grant on their campus too. It's worth visiting. We feel lucky.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2024

Our family’s experience with Marin Waldorf School has been remarkable. Coming from Asia, where the education system is highly competitive, materialistic, and academically intense, we deeply value how MWS nurtures the whole child. Rather than rushing academic milestones, the school emphasizes developmentally appropriate education that fosters creativity, well-being, and a love for learning.Our son started in a Waldorf preschool elsewhere and joined MWS since 1st grade. He is now a thriving 3rd grader. He’s not only academically capable but also healthy, active, creative, and confident. We appreciate the strong sense of purpose and meaning the faculty brings to everything they teach, ensuring that children grow into well-rounded individuals. In a world that often pushes children too fast, Waldorf education has been an oasis —protecting students from unnecessary pressure, excessive screen time, and the hurried, often senseless race for achievement. The teachers and staff hold a space where children can flourish in their own time, and we couldn't be more grateful. This holistic, nurturing approach has brought balance and joy to our lives, and we highly recommend it for families seeking an education that truly respects childhood.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2024

My children attended Marin Waldorf School for three years, from preschool to first grade. While the school promotes “outdoor education” and “teaching to the whole child,” (which sounded nice!) our experience was far from positive. My children no longer attend this school.Academically, the school is a complete disaster. My child completed first grade without learning to read, and teaching reading at home is actively discouraged by the teachers. The school delays academic instruction based on esoteric beliefs from Waldorf founder Rudolf Steiner, such as waiting until a child loses their first teeth to begin formal learning. You will hear "they will catch up" from the administrators, but this is a lie - talk to any educator who has had to deal with a child transitioning out of Waldorf. There is absolutely no support for learning disabilities like dyslexia. These kids fall through the cracks. Our son has had to repeat Kindergarten in public school because he tested at the beginning K level. Our kids both constantly complained of boredom and not wanting to go to school.I also highly encourage prospective parents to do their research on Waldorf education and Anthroposophy. As a parent, if I asked about why my children were coming home talking about heaven and angels, you'll get the line that they are an eclectic mix of world religions. They really downplay it in the brochure, but the fact is that Anthroposophy is the foundation of all they do - and your kids will start coming home talking about children descending from heaven and that gnomes are real and they farm crystals. Maybe you find this type of education harmless, and that's fine - I am just concerned how secretive they are about it. What are they hiding?
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2024

A painful experience for my kids. Lacks values and run like a business. Not a true Waldorf school at heart.Please research before enrolling.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2024

So unprofessional!!! The school discriminate against families and I’m not the first family to say that. They charge registration fee and then They evaluate the application and decide if your kid qualifies to go to their school or not. The reason for my son disqualified was that he will overwhelm 30 preschoolers and he need to go to smaller environment which is so ridiculous without evaluating the kid himself, I mean think about it, how they can decide what your kid needs. They don’t even bother calling you about their decision and keep you waiting on them. It shows that they pick families and this is discrimination. I will never send my son to such an unprofessional school.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2024

Marin Waldorf has been more than I could have expected for my sons. It has been a place of learning, curiosity, friendship, and community. Both my sons are in the early childhood classes. They are both eager and excited to go to school each day and have many wonderful bonds with teachers, staff and other students. I have seen so much growth for both. They are more confident, curious, kind, and eager to learn because of their experience at Marin Waldorf. I am amazed by their creativity and wonder that has blossomed since joining Marin Waldorf. The teachers are incredible and truly guide and nurture my children as individuals. The community is welcoming, supportive, and fun. I’m grateful for our experience and looking forward to our future at Marin Waldorf.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2023

I share the experience of some of the other reviewers here. The eduction for children is poor. No social/emotional safety. Harsh punishments from the teachers. Bullying amongst students is not adequately addressed. Food allergies and sensitives are not accommodated for. Teacher turnover is high. They can not pull in good teachers because of low pay and poor treatment. The staff is cliquish. Highly toxic environment. Do not enroll your children here.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2023

This school is absolutely lacking in diversity, progressive education, teacher retention and student retention is poor, social emotional learning does not exist. The administration is defensive, flippant and condescending. Someone told me to RUN and I sincerely wished I had listened.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2022

Do not put your child in this school. I LOVE the Waldorf concept but the staff at this school do not practice the theory at all. The school is only worried about the money. The teacher's turnover is very high and kids are affected by it. the great teachers don't stay long, because they see what the school is all about. My daughter went there for three years of preschool and when we were struggling with money and decided to move out of the area after registering her for the year, they took all of our money and did not give back. We had paid half of the year without her starting school yet. However, we met two other families in the same situation and they gave ALL the money back to them. (same amount). I am taking them to court due to discriminations. If you have any problems at school and try to talk to them, they will just ignore you and not return your phone call. I know many parents in the same situation and hopefully they will share their opinions as well here.Also, mixed age kindergarten is just a way to make you pay more and pay the teachers less. Kids from 3 yeard old to almost 6y.o. in the same classroom was a horrible experience. Do not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2021

Along with all the typical subjects, Waldorf education places a high emphasis on music, dance, theater, hiking, being outdoors, class camping trips, painting, knitting, crocheting, gardening, woodworking, cooking are all very apparent in the weekly subjects. There is also a general concept of simplicity, healthy habits/eating, movement, independence/grit and strong parent community involvement. No screens, TV and media is often what you hear about but it fits right into the philosophy of simplicity by limiting distractions and advertising. I have had my 2 boys in Waldorf education (both in Marin and San Francisco) for a total of 5 years and 2 years at a public charter school. Marin Waldorf impressed me before COVID but more so during COVID. They were very organized with regular zoom meetings for parent during the planning stages over the summer of 2020. They listened and worked with health officials on how to open the school safely (and stay open!) and were ready to go on day 1 of the fall of 2020. No distance learning except when was mandated by the state. Outdoor classrooms were built (much by the children), handwashing stations, stable cohorts were made. When distance learning was miserable for our older son, we quickly moved into the 2nd grade with no issue. In distance learning at a public charter school, I was having to take the lesson and make harder math problems for my child myself. At MWS, the math was more difficult than public school and the teacher wrote problems that challenged each student. One main aspect I love about MWS is high emphasis on quality. Handwriting journals are pristine, crafts are made with soft, long lasting materials, snacks are made/baked/cooked in the classroom by the children, holidays and birthdays celebrated in a rich, memory-making way, field trips are with purpose and an extension of classroom lessons, and high quality teachers and staff. One of my boys is picking grapes from his outdoor classroom/garden and crushing them to make grape juice. And our other son at the same time was rolling out honey buns and baking them for Friday's snack. This school definitely holds true to quality Waldorf education and is a "great school."
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2021

I should preface my review of Marin Waldorf School by stating that Waldorf School is not for everyone. Those who prefer their knowledge spoon fed to them in bite-sized portions that will be easy to regurgitate for multiple choice exams, may not appreciate Waldorf. Those who see education as a way to “compete” for a position that affords them a nice view of the world as it passes them by, on their way to what has been sold to them as “success” or the “American Dream”, are likely to find the Waldorf approach somewhat frustrating. Those who are eager to learn how to follow directions so they can take advantage of the best of what “the Program” has to offer, may not find such learning here.Waldorf is about acknowledging that there is a world, rich, diverse, amazing, beyond the dream of “success”. That the world, as it existed well before any of us (or our most distant ancestors) were here, as it exists now, outside of our bubble of civilization, and as it will exist well after we’re gone, is worth knowing. You can see this in the festivals at Waldorf that celebrate spring and the fall harvest. Moreover, kids at the Waldorf acknowledge the greater world around us by actually being in it. So much of the day is spent outside, from outdoor classrooms (an advantage that allowed Waldorf to open during fall semester 2020 well before any other school in the area), to weekly hikes on the mountain across the street to overnight field trips for the older kids in places like Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. Waldorf kids learn early on that they are in this world and of it, not separate from it. Did I mention that Waldorf kids (perhaps to the surprise of critics) demonstrate exceptional academic skills? Yes, it’s true, even as you see your kindergarteners and first graders playing outside, gardening, working with their hands, you are blown away by their use of multiplication tables, the high level at which they’re reading, they’re ability to, not only recite stories and songs, but to share interpretations on their allegories. I have been a Waldorf parent for five years, having two kids thriving there. I wish I could have sent my other two but, alas, they were already past middle school age once I took a look at Waldorf. If any school approaches what thoughtful citizens of this world refer to as Intentional Communities, Waldorf is the example to be followed.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2021

4 years in and we couldn't be happier with every aspect of Marin Waldorf. My son has truly blossomed and thrived here and loves going to school every day. The teachers, staff, campus, and philosophy are all truly exceptional and have perfectly seen, supported, and enriched my son at every stage of development. His preschool and kindergarten experiences have been wonderfully nurturing, magical, low stress, imaginative, and joyful. As he approaches 1st grade I am appreciating the incredible thoughtfulness and skill with which his teachers are preparing him with just the right amount of stretch. I am continually amazed at the level of intention, thought, experience, research, and skill with which the Waldorf curriculum is implemented here. With 50 years of experience and a deep commitment to self reflection and adapting to the current needs of students, Marin Waldorf truly is the gold standard of Waldorf education. I feel very confident that this education is providing my son with not only all the intellectual development and skills to allow him to be successful academically, but also to be a full human being.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2021

My oldest child has been at Marin Waldorf since she was 3. She’s 6 now. My 4 year old is starting her second year. This is more than a learning institution. This is a educational home base. Marin Waldorf is a community that supports its students by teaching them by example. In the younger grades it’s all about doing. They cook. They clean. They hike. They tell stories. They are giving the children a warm place to feel safe and seen and supported. The teachers are all gentle but clear with intentions. Our family cannot imagine getting through the pandemic without Marin Waldorf!
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2018

Our son is thriving here. It is a place where he has close friends, he's learning, he's interested in what he's learning and he's really starting to show signs of real wisdom. I also love that there's a community that supports lots of screen-free time. This makes it easier for kids growing up to have natural and real experiences healthy to their development. We really could not ask for more.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2017

Waldorf education is the fastest growing educational model in the country for a reason. These guys insulate the young kids from social media stress, and they modulate homework to keep the kids sane. A wonderful experience that creates wonderfully successful young adults.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2017

This is a wonderful school! My children are being taken care on so many levels and are learning in the deepest sense of the word. We have experienced early education and the grades. The teachers are fantastic! There were some issues in the recent past with administration and staff, but MWS is committed to making positive change and coming together as a community. This school comes with my highest recommendation. Come for a visit and see for your self.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2017

A.MAZING!! I can't recommend Marin Waldorf School enough. Not only is my first grader excited to go to school everyday but he is getting an amazing and unique education. If he's not rattling off multiplication or division equations he's singing in Mandarin. He also loves his art and music classes. It's such a well rounded education. He has great friends in all different grades because the children feel so close to each other. And the sense of community helps us all feel connected.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2016

I have two kids at Marin Waldorf, currently 4th grade and second grade. We came to the school when our eldest went to preschool, and we knew nothing about Waldorf education's philosophy, methods or curriculum. I thought the preschool looked great because the kids go outside every day, rain or shine. It also didn't hurt that it was the most affordable of the options we looked at.Through preschool, the two-year kindergarten and now up through 4th grade I can say I am delighted with the education my kids are receiving. I swore to myself that I would not send my kids to a private school, because after all, I went to public schools growing up, and living in Marin we have some of the best public schools around. But public school education today is foreign to me. Way too much homework, constant standardized tests, teachers subject to so-called accountability regimes that incentivize teaching to the tests. Less and less music, drama, art. The Waldorf philosophy and methods take a little getting used to, but I think they've nailed it. In short, so far my family's experience at the school has been terrific. It is rigorous academically, but I see the curriculum and the methods preparing my kids not just for future employment but for an enriched life.OK, now the qualifiers. It is true that when you get into first grade and up, the quality of education depends greatly on the quality of your child's class teacher. The class teacher is meant to stay with the same class from first to eight grade, and it responsible for the "main lesson" each day, a two-hour class at the start of each day that focuses on "blocks," e.g. a math block for 5 weeks, a literary arts block for 4 weeks, etc. If the class teacher is not up to par (and it happens), you may as well throw in the towel and go elsewhere. This is purely luck of the draw.Anyone with young kids headed to preschool/kindergarten or first grade, I highly recommend giving this school a good look.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2015

My wife and I are extremely concerned about the state of public education; specifically about the defunding of arts, music, and sports. Further, the mandatory testing of our young children is putting a stress on them that they are not yet ready, or equipped, to feel. In response to these concerns, we sought out a private school education for our son, and feel beyond fortunate to have found Marin Waldorf.Marin Waldorf is based on the teachings of a 20th century philosopher and teacher, named Rudolph Steiner who proposed an alternative to the commonly held (and still current) prevailing belief that learning is primarily based on logic and objective measurement. He put emphasis on art and imagination and, as well, on the importance of which type of learning is most important at the given age and capability of the child. He did not want to force logic without context or interest. He'd rather build interest, first. Doesn't that make sense?? Waldorf's message is to "awaken the joy of learning."Our son is in first grade. We have been very happy with his education and teachers, so far. We have found them to be warm, compassionate, intelligent people. As alluded to in previous comments, yes, it does seem that it was a tough few years for the school's administration. We feel very confident now, however, in the addition of a new administrator last year (Will Stapp) and have already seen positive changes. We hope and have confidence that he will be here, for many years to come.The school asks that we not participate in "media" with our children; meaning television, video games, etc... While this first seemed somewhat difficult, we are now seeing and reaping the many benefits, such as increased patience and calmness. There is much literature to support that media interferes with the development of a young brain. We figure that our son has his whole life to be bombarded with external media messages, and we'd like to protect him from that, as long as we can, so that when he is older, he will have a broader frame of reference, and will, hopefully, have the desire to protect himself from the same.I couldn't recommend the school more, and if you are on the fence, check out one of their open houses. They give you a great glimpse into the school.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2015

My son went here for preschool for his first year of school. I was in fantasy land thinking Waldorf education was the answer to our educational dreams! My dream burst quickly. After three months I wanted to get as far away as possible, but since we signed a contract, we were liable for the year's full tuition, and they wouldn't let us out of it. It was a miserable six more months. There are some serious problems with the administration and staff, including teachers. Shockingly unprofessional behavior, a superior attitude from the staff over the parents (who by the way are PAYING to be treated this way), and a culture of secrecy, mystery and fear prevailed. The culture was cliquish (either you drank the kool-aid or you were on the outs). And there seemed to be a emphasis and fascination with old European culture, exclusive to other ancient cultures or current cultures.