Waldorf was Superman

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The following is a first-person account of Waldorf education from a Waldorf alumnus, Shane Alexander. To learn about the difference between Waldorf and Montessori schools, read our comparison guide. You can also read our guide to Waldorf preschools.

I first heard about the doc Waiting for Superman a month back when I was sent the trailer - amazing. A few days later, the U.S. media blew up talking about this story. Online, I started to get Facebook invites about the flick. Twitter was buzzing about it, too. On the television, CNN, Dateline, Primetime, daytime talk shows, were screaming the words said in the emotional documentary. But it was when Oprah entered the growing camp of top-name supporters that the movie's name really blew up.


The poster for "Waiting For Superman" by Davis Guggenheim.
The poster for "Waiting For Superman" by Davis Guggenheim.

I call it the Power of Oprah.

In case you don't know much about Waiting for Superman, here's a little rundown about the flick courtesy of Internet Movie Database.

Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education "statistics" have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying "drop-out factories" and "academic sinkholes," methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. Written by Sundance Film Festival.

As I continue to hear about what could be a very sad future for many kids in America, I tend to feel thankful that I went to school in Canada, at a school like Waldorf. Some kids at the school couldn't afford to go there but there was always tuition assistance. Some kids couldn't get to school because they lived too far - they ended up boarding with others. We, like the extra-nice Canadians we are, always tried to help others make it, to get a better education in an unique schooling environment. It worked. I'm trying to spread awareness about Waiting for Superman and how to help out. The sad truth of what is going on abroad has hit home. In Canada.

This past Thanksgiving, I knew what I was thankful for. An education that I didn't need to win a lottery to get.

—Shane Alexander
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  • Thornhill, Ontario
    Bathurst St/Rutherford Rd
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $18,000 to $21,000

Toronto Waldorf School offers a curriculum that integrates academics, arts and movement while addressing the intellectual, physical, emotional and social aspects of child development from preschool to gr. 12.

  • Day
  • Waldorf
Toronto Waldorf School 18000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Davenport Rd/Spadina Rd
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $14,325 to $22,650

Small class sizes and our unique curriculum - infused with Arts, Movement, Outdoor Education - create deeper connections across subjects, at all child development stages. Parents describe us as “schooling with heart".

  • Day
  • Waldorf
Waldorf Academy 14325 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Guelph, Ontario
    Victoria Rd N/Woodlawn Rd E
  • K to 8 Coed
  • $5,936 to $13,941

Trillium provides a comprehensive, vibrant and academically vigorous Waldorf education. Students are welcomed into a warm environment with teachers who care deeply for them, and support their holistic development.

  • Day
  • Waldorf
Trillium Waldorf School 5936 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Burlington, Ontario
    Appleby Line/Upper Middle Road
  • PS to 12 Coed
  • $10,500 to $17,600

Halton Waldorf School offers an education that fosters confidence, independence and intelligence. Located on five forested acres, the school has been uniquely designed to support the goals of Waldorf education. Est 1984

  • Day
  • Waldorf
Halton Waldorf School 10500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Aurora, Ontario
    Wellington/Yonge
  • 1 to 12 Coed
  • $18,000 to $20,000

Flexible, techy environment. Freedom of choice. ALL ABILITIES welcome and no ideals taught outside the scope of academia. We are a COMMUNITY of incredible future leaders with innate creative genius!

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • Waldorf
Agora Prep Academy 18000 Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Day Coed
  • Calgary, Alberta
  • JK to 9 Coed
  • $4,410 to $14,850

Calgary Waldorf School’s rich and challenging curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic and practical activities to stimulate intelligence and encourage creativity.

  • Day
  • Waldorf
Calgary Waldorf School 4410 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Bathurst St./Eglinton Ave. West
  • PS to 6 Coed
  • $15,500 to $17,500

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  • Day
  • Montessori
  • Waldorf
Alive Montessori & Private School 15500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Kitchener, Ontario
  • JK to 8 Coed
  • $1,900 to $4,850

Carmel New Church School provides a loving, peaceful place with indoor and outdoor classrooms where students are taught to become productive and caring people, both in this life and the next.

  • Day
  • Liberal Arts
  • Waldorf
Carmel New Church School 1900 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

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