Lake Champlain Waldorf School

359 TURTLE LN

Shelburne, VT 05482

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 19, 2020

Happy to have found the high school and pleased to be here. The pandemic is stressing the school in certain ways but that seems to be the case nationwide. I'm surprised and pleased to see how the teachers and administration jumped into distance learning in such a flexible and well thought out manner. Couldn't be more proud of the teaching team and how well the students responded to the new normal.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2019

This school is exceptional. There were difficulties in the past, but they have been overcome now with a new leadership structure and additional teaching support. The High School in particular stands out. From academics, to hands on learning, students are not only given the tools to succeed in University and beyond, but to use these tools to fully experience life and reach their true potential.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

This school has its struggles, as all schools do. The decision-making processes and leadership has been challenging on some levels, but there are positive changes in process. The more involved we have gotten (volunteer committees, class parent, volunteering for projects and festivals), the more deeply we have felt part of the community. Our children are getting an academic education that is deeply connected to their developmental growth and needs. Our children are thriving in the waldorf school.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2019

Excellent. The high school is the real gem of this K to 12 school. The teachers nurture and encourage individual interests and strengths. My child who has physical differences has been supported in every way which is not standard for most private schools. The support has been exceptional at the high school in particular.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2018

I loved the staff and teachers. Was not terribly fond of the behavior of many of the children and many of the parents.No real community, not much in the way of kindness and respect. Definitely did not come as advertised. Management needs to figure things out. The school COULD be a wonderful place,but certainly fell short of expectations and what the administration led us to believe before signing up.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2017

I can't imagine a better experience for my children. Sure, there is lots of room for improvement, and my children and I want to be part of the solution. My most difficult times come when in disagreement with other parents.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2017

I had two children in the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. Some aspects of the curriculum are charming and truly artistic. I was pleased to see music, dance and theater arts given so much attention. However, those artistic topics should not preclude or be at the expense of reading, writing and math, which are also interesting and beautiful and fulfilling. Yet, the children are not generally provided a grounding in these academic topics that would prepare them for high school or college or work. And forget critical thinking skills. The teachers and administration do not seem capable of it themselves. I can't fathom they can teach it. It seems like a good opportunity has gone unnurtured here. It is a teaching environment stuck in centuries year old methods. Would you let your doctor treat you with 200 year old understanding of biology? You won't be putting your children at risk of death here, but you will put them at risk of sublime underachievement.
Submitted by student on August 05, 2015

After 12+ years of schooling, i can quite confidently say that Waldorf has given one of the best educations/communities possible. Contrary to previous reviews, the academics are designed to be a start to finish experience. Its hard to compare yourself to a public schooler in 7th grade, when you've only been taught how to learn not the real nitty gritty details (thats high school). Teachers, for the most part, are hard working, challenging and supportive. For our school size, sports are thriving. This years guys basketball team with a 10-2 record, for the most part demolishing local opposition (private schools). One of the things i love most about our school is the emphasis on pushing your boundaries. You will be encouraged to take part in a huge variety of academics, arts, crafts and social activities. This place has been a huge part of my life and I'm pretty darn happy with the way it's shaped me.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2015

We have been involved with the Lake Champlain Waldorf School since our daughter was 18 months old and our loyalties will remain with them through grade twelve. This place has been more than just a school for us. LCWS is a tightly knit family of beautiful, like-minded souls who come together with a common goal: to educate the whole child. A Waldorf education is multi-faceted and it affects everyone in the family. It is a wholesome lifestyle enjoyed by us all - a spiritual, emotional, physical, and cerebral experience. LCWS produces creative, independent thinkers - problem solvers - shining people full of Light to help heal the world. Our family has never felt so welcome anywhere and our girl is thriving in so many amazing ways. I know we are better parents for having discovered this lovely school.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2014

Our son is currently enrolled at Waldorf. We left a highly rated private preschool program mid-year because my son need a more social, physical and nurturing experience with an experienced preschool teacher. His former teacher was very young, as many teachers at this private preschool are, and lacked the experience to provide the nurturing guidance my son needed. Waldorf is amazing. Their preschool teachers have been there 10-25 years and have so much experience. In addition, I can trust that the food they serve (yes they serve fresh, often hot, food for snack each day!) is organic and wholesome. My son loves it. Among the many activities he does each week: bake bread, cut up vegetables for soup, paint, play in the mud, build a bridge of sticks for a frog, mold beeswax, or wash the drinking cups, singing, outdoor play, the list is endless. Our son's behavior was really regressing with an inexperienced teacher in the former program, and Waldorf truly saved him and he is maturing now and it's amazing to see. The Waldorf preschool values childhood and makes it all it can be and children thrive there.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

The curriculum lacks academic rigor. The school doesn't even teach advanced mathematical concepts. The science curriculum is minimal. Most of the teaching is based on "hands on experience" and at many times seems similar to a vocational institution, not a college preparatory program. For high schools in the area I recommend Vermont Commons, Champlain Valley, Essex, or Mount Mansfield.
Submitted by other on May 10, 2013

The school is academically subpar compared to many institutions in the region. The school has essentially no math program until high school (at which point it is minimal). There is little homework which instills are terrible work ethic amongst the children. This school shouldn't even be considered a preparatory school. It is an alternative school. Much of the curriculum revolves around "handwork, eurythmy, acting, and music". The math and science teachers are generally under-qualified. Most of the public schools in Chittenden County are more rigorous and will prepare students for college.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2013

The kindergarten years went well for our children, the teachers were wise and skilled and good at communication but the grade school experience was disastrous at best, lots of bullying and shaming the children. Some of the teachers are really dysfunctional others have their backs turned to name calling, punches and hair pulling. One of the children's classes was in constant chaos and the school completely denied it and did nothing to make it better. The teachers seem to be overworked and underpaid. Most of the children need tutoring. Many families left. The school put up a brick wall of defensiveness and blamed the children. Lots of blame and put down of children. There was a great deal of bullying and teachers just allowed it. Complaints were met with a sort of Waldorf-ese special language and a "we don't do it that way." Or families were asked to leave the school. No dialogue what so ever. Hard to imagine I know, we were so disappointed, we expected just the opposite and had been so drawn to the school for its beauty and seeming gentleness. I have since learned that many other families had similar problems with this school over the years. No leadership and no accountability.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2012

Our family found this school to be unprofessional with poor leadership. This school can be a great experience if you have a great class room teacher and there are some really great teachers at this school. However, there is no administrative or principal to provide leadership this leaves little recourse if your child has a mediocre teacher. The school is excellent at training children in the arts. Be prepared to provide supplemental tutoring for reading and math. The school handbook even states that extra tutoring is the responsibility of the parents. There is only one way of learning and that is the Waldorf way. Many of the staff do not believe in ADHD and fault poor parenting with not enough "rhythm" or structure in the home life. Early exposure to music, music theory, and watercolor is fantastic. Our child was frustrated by the numerous Nome stories and wanted real world learning opportunities. If you do not play the Waldorf Way you are not asked to Stay. Think very carefully with your mind and feel very carefully with your heart before enrolling your child here. Our family was attracted to the spiritual aspect of the school, and in the end found it dogmatic and limiting.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

I have 2 sons at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. One is finishing up 9th grade, and the other graduating, both having been there since kg. I am so pleased with the education they have received there. My graduate applied to 4 colleges and got into all 4 with merit scholarships. Though there is no standardized testing in this school, and he missed the PSAT's while on exchange in Germany, he aced every section of the SAT's because he knows how to think rather than just strategize about how to best take a test. The well rounded education of head, heart and hands recognizes that they are all connected. In addition, there is a healthy and vibrant community of families and children learn what it means to participate and be a part of something larger than themselves. The teachers are extraordinarily committed to the well being of the children and community. The Waldorf framework provides healthy structure and rhythm, bringing content in stimulating ways at developmentally appropriate times. I consider it an immense privilege to be part of this community.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

As a parent wanting the best education to fit the needs of my children I am delighted to have my children receive their education at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. We have two children who have attended LCWS. Our daughter started in 3rd grade and graduated from the high school in 2009. Our son started in kindergarten and is now finishing up 9th grade at the high school. Our daughter is very much in the here and now and an introvert. With its focus on age-appropriate developmental teaching, the cirriculum gave her a structural framework, which helped guide her and keep her focused. Our son is quite opposite from our daughter. He's an extrovert. The structure of the school provides him with boundries, so that he can apply his many talents effectively. Lastly, this school provides a fantastic musical education like no other in the area. Beginning in 3rd grade all students are required to learn a string instrument. By 7th grade the quality of the music produced by the orchestra is truely outstanding.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2012

The pros: a lovely, holistic, arts-based education that integrates intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and artistic skills. The cons: an extremely dogmatic approach to education (if Rudolph Steiner didn't say it nearly a century ago, they won't do it now) that effectively ignores the needs of academically and intellectually gifted children. While our children loved the arts education, handwork, and ample movement time, they complained of boredom academically and felt a palpable lack of recognition/validation from their teachers. Teachers also have absolute authority here, and almost no student input/autonomy is allowed. The curriculum is inflexible, and students get little opportunity to explore ideas or facts that are not explicitly detailed by the teacher. (Those lovely hand-written textbooks each child writes are full of text and drawings that mimic the teacher's work almost verbatim.) The lack of clear authority in the school can also be a problem (the school is governed not by a single director, but by a College of Teachers). The buck, apparently, stops nowhere. This school is a good fit for students (and parents) who don't ask too many questions about the pedagogy.
Submitted by other on June 29, 2011

I went to this school from 1st-8th grade. I switched from there to go to a public high school. Let me tell you why. When I reached the 7th grade I started feeling like I was falling behind the public schoolers academically. So I took some test and yes, in fact I was behind. The teachers do not teach math very well, they never stress how important it is to do your homework. They give you NO preparation for college or even high school. Once I switched it was hard to adapt because I didn't have the work ethics, study habits, or ideas that homework needed to be done. Other Facts: There is not enough funding for a tech department meaning no technical oriented classes such as design. There is no real auditorium. The basketball court is about 1/4th the size it should be. The dress code is way to strict. You don't get the feel that teachers are there when you need them. It is impossible to fail a class. (People need to know that there can be failures in life!) I honestly find the public school pressure atmosphere more successful. I will feel sorry for the students enrolled at LCWS and LCWHS when they go on to college. They will not have the skills to have a successful college career.