The regions Trillium Waldorf School offers busing from are:
"At Trillium Waldorf School, reverence for childhood underpins everything we do. This starts in the early years with a pace that allows children to fall in love with the world around them and continues in the Grade School with a curriculum that engages not only our students' minds but their hearts. Our academics are interwoven with movement, arts, hands-on skill building and the experience of observation and discovery, which keep our students not only engaged but critically and creatively thinking for themselves."
At Trillium, we place a high priority on social and emotional learning, knowing that when students are regulated and feel good in their relationships with teachers and peers, they are much more likely to get the most out of the lessons and activities of the school day. Our teachers maintain a position of warm authority, allowing students to feel safe in classrooms that are well held.
Throughout their years here, our students are regularly reminded of our school's core values: we are kind, we are safe, we are respectful, we are responsible. These values underpin our restorative practices, in which our students learn to take responsibility for their actions, set appropriate boundaries, and work through conflict, ultimately developing the resilience and relational skills they will need to grow into healthy, thriving adults.
At Trillium Waldorf School, we intentionally use analog methods of teaching—prioritizing time-tested approaches such as teaching cursive writing, and using chalkboards over tablets or smartboards. As a result, our students are not introduced to computer-based skills like typing while attending our school.
However, starting in middle school, our Cyber Civics class introduces students to essential digital competencies. They learn media literacy, explore the potential positive and negative impacts of social media, and gain a strong understanding of how to be responsible, respectful digital citizens.
While this is a tradeoff, we believe the benefits—such as fostering creativity, deep focus, and the confidence often noted in Waldorf alumni—are well worth it.
Trillium Waldorf School was established in 1995 by a community of caring parents who were concerned about the educational and societal trends at that time. Through their determination and inspired action, Trillium opened its doors to 21 students, Kindergarten-Grade One, in September 1996. At the time we were located in a local church and went on to rent from the Guelph Youth Music Centre as well before finding our home in the north-east end of Guelph.
It was through the good will and dedication of one of our early families who took it upon themselves to secure this land and build our lovely school to provide us with the security of a long term rental where we could flourish and set roots.
In 2022, we hit a major milestone and had the incredible opportunity to become proud owners of our campus after raising over $1 million in donations and $896K in investments through the generosity of hundreds of school supporters.
Our school supports a wide range of learners. Because Waldorf education is truly designed to support children in growing into well-rounded individuals, students do not need to fit a specific mold or possess particular aptitudes to thrive here. In fact, one of the strengths of Waldorf education is its ability to nurture natural abilities while also gently encouraging growth in areas that may not come as easily.
That said, students tend to do best at Trillium Waldorf School when their families are engaged, reflective, and aligned with our long-term view of education as a journey—one that supports the development of well-rounded, ethical and creative thinking human beings. Families who are community-oriented and who value open communication and collaboration with teachers often find a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose at Trillium.
Families seeking a strong emphasis on early academics or those aiming to prepare their children for a specific post-secondary path may not find our approach appealing, as it is designed to support children in reaching their unique potential on a timeline that allows for an unrushed childhood.
At Trillium, our students have the advantage of learning through direct experience, free from the influence of computers and digital technology. Parents appreciate knowing that their children are in a media- and screen-free environment, learning instead through methods such as oral storytelling, time in nature, creating their own textbooks, observing natural phenomena and learning to knit. These time-tested approaches not only keep children interested and engaged, but also support critical thinking, which is essential for embracing the tools of technology later in life.
Families often know us for the hands-on experiences that our students get, for our choice to deliver education without the use of screen technology and for being a school that allows students to be fully themselves. We are known for our annual class plays and for the Grade 8 Project in which our oldest students engage in study on a topic of their choice with a mentor from the broader Guelph community. Many people know us for our annual Spring Fair which is a joyful experience for all and one which families return to again and again, even when their children don’t attend our school.
At Trillium, our students have the opportunity to be seen and known by their teachers. Smaller class sizes, and teachers who “loop” (move through the grades with their class) allow for the type of relationship where teachers know how to get through to their individual students and students are able to see that their teachers really care.
These long term relationships also allow for true collaboration between teachers and parents, benefiting our students in myriad ways. It is often said that Trillium graduates are notable as teenagers for their willingness to converse with adults and to advocate for their own learning once they move on to high school and beyond.
Many Trillium parents are surprised by the profound impact of the ritual components of life at Trillium and the emphasis on nurturing our student's strength of character.
Rites of passage, such as our Grade 1 students “going under the rainbow bridge” at the opening ceremony each year, serve as meaningful milestones that punctuate the passage of time while offering parents a chance to be fully present for their children’s ever evolving growth and development.
Traditions like our Grade 8 students embarking on their wilderness canoe trip only after crafting their own paddle the previous year teach patience and perseverance. These practices offer an antidote to the modern world of instant gratification.
Equally powerful are the daily rituals that frame the school day. Whether it’s reciting a verse together each morning before beginning their lessons or lighting a candle at lunch, these simple acts of reverence ground the student experience and soothe the all-to-commonly hurried soul.
Our school has recently made thoughtful improvements to nurture our students, teachers and community as a whole. We’ve clarified leadership roles, strengthened collaboration, and deepened our focus on diversity and inclusion, have worked towards decolonizing our curriculum as well as reimagining our annual festivals. We’ve invested in faculty mentorship and leadership development, and community education offerings for parents to participate in, reinforcing strong adult learning communities that, ultimately, support student growth.
Classrooms have been reinsulated, heat pumps installed, and a new water fountain added, creating even healthier learning spaces for our students. Our program offerings have expanded with various clubs for the students to participate in, while the Healthy School Culture approach supports well-being for all. These changes reflect our commitment to holistic Waldorf education and a vibrant, connected school life where children and families can thrive.
Over the next five years, we will continue to deepen our commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive education while remaining grounded in the core principles of Waldorf pedagogy. Ongoing professional development, mentorship, and curriculum renewal will ensure our program stays developmentally aligned, regionally responsive, and relevant to the evolving needs of today’s children.
Families can expect a school that is steady in its values yet responsive in its practices: a community that nurtures imagination, inspiration, and intuition while preparing students to meet the world with resilience, empathy, and creative confidence. Our vision is not expansion for its own sake, but deepening: deepening relationships, educational quality, and the impact we have in the lives of the children and families we serve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
By logging in or creating an account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Information presented on this page may be paid advertising provided by the advertisers [schools/camps/programs] and is not warranted or guaranteed by OurKids.net or its associated websites. By using this website, creating or logging into an Our Kids account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Please also see our Privacy Policy. Our Kids ™ © 2023 All rights reserved.
