Founded in 2018, Polaris is relatively new, formed through the coming together of a number of families seeking something different, more responsive, perhaps richer than was available at the time. The school isn’t a Waldorf school in name, though is built on the Waldorf principles, the core being that learning should begin from a place of imagination and creativity, and build from the students’ innate curiosities. Polaris is the pole star, the north star, the one that people for centuries have used for navigation, and the metaphor is apt—education is conceived here as a kind of navigation through the curriculum, through the world, and toward a greater understanding of ourselves, our talents, and our relationships with others. The school is small, and has all the benefits that we associate with small schools, including a high degree of student engagement with others, a rich, close-knit social experience, and a marked agility in developing unique programs. Interaction with families and parents is close, regular, and open.
Polaris School and Centre
My daughter adores her teachers at Kindergarten and feels a strong sense of ownership towards her classroom as a space and a community. Most significantly, she loves the rhythm of the day and the small routines associated with them. My daughter has made many friends this year, and has had enriching experiences of free play which are the result of intentional crafting and design of her day at school. This is especially unique because my child is aware of that sense of freedom to play, within a ... View full review
Polaris has been a wonderful safe haven for my anxious, restless son. Everyday he came home with lessons learnt so unobtrusively, with his lessons learnt and drilled through an endless succession of stories, games, activities with movement, music, and rhyme. Sometimes the children didn't even seem fully aware that a lesson had, in fact, taken place. What my son loves best is the amount of outdoor time they get everyday in all weather. His reports are filled with affectionate accounts of all his... View full review
My sons have found in Polaris a gentle refuge, particularly during this last year and a half of unpredictability. They arrive and are greeted by teachers and friends with warmth, knowing that the rhythms of their day will be honored in a way that brings ease and peace to their little hearts. My youngest is a highly creative spirit who loves to sing loudly, draw for hours, and listen to stories on repeat. The kindergarten room, hosted by his sage teacher, gives him all of the space, care and prom... View full review
