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Toronto Waldorf School has a Waldorf approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia approach).
The Waldorf curriculum revolves around child development and the key concept of "doing the right thing at the right time." An emphasis on a three-fold approach, integrating "head, heart and hands" is a fundamental component in all classes. Cross-curricular connections are made wherever possible, using arts, movement, music and drama in the learning process, bringing greater engagement and emotional connection to the child's experience.
| Focus |
|---|
| Academic |
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math, Discovery Math approach).
See our Teaching Approach in the Lower School: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/lower_school/teaching_methods/index.php#.VtiYJubju4M and in the High School: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/high_school/deeper_perspective_on_HS/index.php#.VtiYm-bju4M
This information is not currently available.
Calculators are not used until later in middle school - sometimes even as late as Grade 8. The focus is instead on mental math, pen and paper math thus ensuring a concept has been deeply cemented before moving to the tool to aid in calculations.
Toronto Waldorf School has a Balanced Literacy approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Phonics-intensive, Whole Language approach).
See this for details on our teaching approach: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade1/english.php
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
This information is not currently available.
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal balance approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach, Process approach approach).
Details can be found on our website by looking at teaching writing in different grades: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade1/english.php
Toronto Waldorf School has an Inquiry approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Equal Balance approach).
Learn more here: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade1/science.php
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Evolution as consensus theory | |
| Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
| Evolution is not taught |
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Ecology | |
| Geology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology | |
| Zoology |
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).
Refer to this chart for details: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/index.php
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Canadian lit | |
| American lit | |
| European (continental) lit | |
| World (non-Western) lit | |
| English lit | |
| Ancient lit |
Toronto Waldorf School has a Thematic approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Core Knowledge, Expanding Communities approach).
Our approach to teaching social studies can be found here: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade1/social_sciences.php
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Pragmatism approach).
Our teaching approach can be found here: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade7/social_sciences.php
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual, Communicative approach).
We offer French from Grade 1 to 12. Here's a closer look at each grade: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/grade1/languages.php
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Chinese-Cantonese | |
| Chinese-Mandarin | |
| French | |
| German | |
| Greek | |
| Italian | |
| Japanese | |
| Hebrew | |
| Latin | |
| Russian | |
| Spanish | |
| ESL |
Toronto Waldorf School has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Creative approach).
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Acting | |
| Dance | |
| Drama/Theatre | |
| Graphic Design | |
| Music | |
| Visual Arts |
| Expressive | |
| Disciplined |
Please refer to our curriculum page for details: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/index.php
Toronto Waldorf School has a Light integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Heavy integration, Medium integration approach).
The Waldorf perspective is that computer exposure should not be based on capability but on developmental appropriateness. Computers and digital technology are not part of the early grades curriculum, although mechanical technology and the practical arts are incorporated at all levels. In our school, Grade 7 and above can access to our computer lab and time in the lab is balanced with Cyber Civics- discussions about the role of technology in our lives, social media and how one can trust information on the web. We strive to give our students to tools to understand the history of computing and how to keep the human being at the centre of our relationship to technology.
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Robotics | |
| Web design |
Please refer to our curriculum chart for details: http://www.torontowaldorfschool.com/why_waldorf/curriculum_chart/index.php
Toronto Waldorf School has a Not Ontario curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Follows provincial curriculum approach).
This information is not currently available.
Toronto Waldorf School has a Waldorf approach to Preschool/K Curriculum (as opposed to Play-based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Academic approach).
Toronto Waldorf School's early years programs have a play-based approach and learning through experience, art and movement. Healthy rhythm and routine, ample outdoor time as well as time for rest are built into each day. Participation in crafts, painting and chores are some of the daily activities of the preschool and kindergarten child. A rich oral story telling tradition, including puppet shows, help build the young child's language capacities as well as imaginative thinking.
Learn about Toronto Waldorf School's languages of instruction and enrolment.
Toronto Waldorf School has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).
At TWS, our rich Waldorf Curriculum is a unique and integrated program where walls between subjects disappear. We are a school where students learn through experience and discovery, and where inspiring academics, human connection and artistic expression are foundational.
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
This information is not currently available.
Toronto Waldorf School has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).
This information is not currently available.
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
This information is not currently available.
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Social skills programs | |
| Occupational therapy | |
| Psychotherapy | |
| Speech-language therapy |
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
This information is not currently available.
In grade Gr. 12, Toronto Waldorf School students perform an average of 2 hours of homework per night.
| NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Waldorf School | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins | 160 mins | 120 mins |
| Site Average | 0 mins | 1 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 16 mins | 19 mins | 26 mins | 31 mins | 37 mins | 44 mins | 56 mins | 60 mins | 75 mins | 84 mins | 100 mins | 107 mins |
This information is not currently available.
| Type | Grades |
|---|---|
| Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Parent-teacher meetings | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 12 |
OUR KIDS REPORT: Toronto Waldorf School