On this page, we cover private and independent Waldorf schools in Vancouver. This may include Waldorf schools in North, West, and Downtown Vancouver, Yaletown, and Gastown. It may also include schools in the greater Vancouver area, such as Surrey, Richmond, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, White Rock, and the Tri-Cities (including Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam).
For a more complete guide to Waldorf education, including detailed coverage of the Waldorf curriculum and classroom, read our Waldorf school guide.
Our Waldorf school guide discusses the unique features of Waldorf schools in Canada. For advice on choosing and assessing private schools in general, read our choosing a school guide.
Private school expos are an ideal venue for learning about many different private schools. Our annual Vancouver private school expo is one of our biggest. Find a Waldorf school near you.
Another helpful resource in your school search is the Our Kids parent discussion forum. The forum is a great place to discuss private Waldorf schools with parents, educators, and education experts.
Open houses are great venues for learning about a school’s philosophy, culture, and community. For general advice on open house visits, read our guide on school visits. You can also read our guide on questions to ask private schools and private school interview questions.
Vancouver Waldorf school tuition is, on average, lower than the cost of other private schools in Vancouver. It’s also on the lower side of private school tuition in general.
Keep in mind, many Vancouver Waldorf schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Other schools offer scholarships, which are given based on merit—for instance, in academics or extracurriculars. You can learn more about needs- and merit-based subsidies in our dedicated guide to financial aid.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for private and independent Waldorf schools in Vancouver, British Columbia:
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) |
|---|
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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Legend:
Since the first Waldorf school opened its doors in 1919, thousands of children have benefited from Waldorf education. There are over 800 Waldorf schools in the world, including over 150 in North America.
Each of these schools is based on the teaching principles of Rudolf Steiner, world-renowned educator and philosopher. These schools also provide a first-rate education.
Waldorf schools, also known as "Steiner schools," educate and socialize children while they are in their formative years. The aim is to allow them to become mature and healthy individuals who contribute to society. Unfortunately, most mainstream schools focus solely on academic progress. They thus neglect to focus on other aspects of a child’s makeup.
Waldorf schools, in Vancouver and elsewhere, approach children’s development in a unique way. Learning takes place through a series of interesting activities and academic subjects. All learning focuses on the growth of the whole child: mind, body, and soul. Teachers aim to develop each child’s intellectual, practical, and artistic sides. In fact, this is a signature feature of the Waldorf approach and philosophy.
Waldorf schools are unlike any other private or independent school. And they can be suitable for students at any level, including preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school. In each grade, teachers instill a sense of enthusiasm for learning, allowing students to initiate and achieve greater success in their education. One of the main focuses is on play-based learning.
Waldorf teachers use the most suitable techniques in their repertoire. These techniques consider the age of each student, as well as their stage of physical and mental development. For example, elementary students at Waldorf schools, in Vancouver and across Canada, learn through artistic media such as drawing, painting, and sculpting. Students do, however, take core academic subjects such as math, science, and English.
