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What would Steiner do?

The following is a first-person account of Waldorf education from a Waldorf alumnus. Shane Alexander wrote a series of similar posts for Our Kids.

A body, in effect, is only part and parcel of another body, but the self, the 'I' of man exists in and by itself alone — 'I am I.'


I was out for beer the other week with an old high school friend. While on the patio to grab some fresh air, my friend asked me a question.

Do I think I'm a Waldorfian? Post Waldorf.

I asked him what he meant.

He asked if I ever thought that I fit the stereotypical Waldorf format of what a Waldorfian kid should be.

I wondered for a bit.

I had to say Yes. I think I am. No. Wait. I know I am.

I felt like a music artist who had to admit to himself he makes pop music. It was hard to conceive. But it's true.

We weren't talking about how we fit in the physical Waldorf get-up, but how we are spiritually. Does our spiritual beliefs system go along with the ones that Waldorf taught us years ago?

As a kid, you refuse to be or sound or think like your parents. It makes you feel old. It makes you realize that you are becoming something you never thought you would. Just like That Pop Star. However, you have that moment, when you realize that you just said something that your mom told you years ago. Or that you just made a track that you know 11-year-olds will love and you'll start having day autograph sessions at huge malls.

This is kinda the same thing. It's not that the values that were instilled into you were bad or wrong, it's just that it's a sign that you're growing up and maturing and realizing it's time to be wise, and, well, grown up.

When I left Waldorf, I did take some words of wisdom from the round school and never thought I'd look back. But when confronted with the worst situations, or trying to figure something out, I found the answer. Later I would realize that it's something that Steiner would do, too.

WWSD for short.

So what am I talking about in regards to what exactly Waldorf instilled into me at such an innocent age? It taught me that the soul and self is the greatest gift you'll ever receive - and to cherish it. They taught me that individualism is gold. I learned about love and appreciation for nature. Waldorf guided me to always think for myself and question what others bring onto you. The round school also showed me that mass media is not always to be trusted and there's other ways to have fun rather than using electronic sticks and surfing the interweb. But it was the philosophies that surround these belief pools that help guide me everyday.

Do I wonder What Would Steiner Do? Yes. I do. And now I'm old enough to be proud of it.

—Shane Alexander

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List of Waldorf schools

Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.

Waldorf Academy, Toronto, Ontario
Waldorf Academy, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto, Ontario
Davenport Rd/Spadina Rd
 
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"Waldorf education is 'schooling with heart'. Students and parents love our class sizes, strong teacher relationships, incredible curriculum, unique opportunities and arts-infused academics!" —From the school

  • Gr. NS to 8 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $22,500 to $24,950
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Waldorf Academy 22500 Grade1E Grade2E Grade3E Grade4E Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Grade11E Grade12E Grade13E FinancialAid Day Coed
Shining Stars School, Mississauga, Ontario
Shining Stars School, Mississauga, Ontario

Mississauga, Ontario
 
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"Shining Stars School believes by combining the most conducive, inclusive and safe learning environment and developmentally appropriate curricular supports, our students can succeed!" —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 5 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $25,000 to $49,994
  • Day school
  • 30 students
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Shining Stars School 25000 Grade3E Grade4E Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Day Coed
Calgary Waldorf School, Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Waldorf School, Calgary, Alberta

Calgary, Alberta
 
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"Calgary Waldorf School’s rich and engaging curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic and practical activities to stimulate intelligence and encourage creativity." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 9 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $3,970 to $15,150
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Calgary Waldorf School 3970 Grade3E Grade4E Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Grade11E Grade12E Grade13E Grade14E FinancialAid Day Coed
Toronto Waldorf School, Thornhill, Ontario
Toronto Waldorf School, Thornhill, Ontario

Thornhill, Ontario
Bathurst St/Rutherford Rd
 
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"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." —From the school

  • Gr. NS to 12 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $5,742 to $25,450
  • Day school
  • 360 students
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Toronto Waldorf School 5742 Grade1E Grade2E Grade3E Grade4E Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Grade11E Grade12E Grade13E Grade14E Grade15E Grade16E Grade17E FinancialAid Day Coed
Halton Waldorf School, Burlington, Ontario
Halton Waldorf School, Burlington, Ontario

Burlington, Ontario
Appleby Line/Upper Middle Road
 
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"Discover Halton Waldorf School—where confidence, independence, and curiosity thrive. Nestled on five lush forested acres, our unique campus has nurtured young minds through Waldorf education since 1984." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $19,950
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Halton Waldorf School 19950 Grade2E Grade3E Grade4E Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Grade11E Grade12E Grade13E Grade14E Grade15E Grade16E Grade17E FinancialAid Day Coed
Trillium Waldorf School, Guelph, Ontario
Trillium Waldorf School, Guelph, Ontario

Guelph, Ontario
Victoria Rd N/Woodlawn Rd E
 
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"Trillium provides a vibrant and deeply nourishing comprehensive education designed to support both our students' capacity for free thinking and the strength of character needed to meet a radically changing world." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 8 (Coed)
  • Waldorf curriculum
  • $6,650 to $18,435
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Trillium Waldorf School 6650 Grade5E Grade6E Grade7E Grade8E Grade9E Grade10E Grade11E Grade12E Grade13E FinancialAid Day Coed

List of Waldorf schools

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