We offer preschool & kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, parent-child playgroups, and summer camp. It is our mission to provide an education that honors every child's enthusiasm for initiative, creativity and social responsibility. Our parent-child playgroups provide a gentle introduction to the rhythms of the Waldorf classroom, for children ages 1 to 4 years old.
We celebrated the first of our autumn harvest festivals, known as Michaelmas, last week Friday. By celebrating the passage of the seasons through art, music and story, we strengthen our connection to the rhythms of nature. Music as a big part of the MWS experience, from Solo + Ensemble performers learning and performing through our band program, to the everyday music that is part of our students' school-day experience.
We celebrated the first of our autumn harvest festivals, known as Michaelmas, last week Friday. By celebrating the passage of the seasons through art, music and story, we strengthen our connection to the rhythms of nature. Music as a big part of the MWS experience, from Solo + Ensemble performers learning and performing through our band program, to the everyday music that is part of our students' school-day experience.
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The Waldorf educational philosophy nurtures the whole human, and its pedagogy fosters healthy emotional development by conveying knowledge experientially as well as academically. The belief that education is an uplifting process is central to the Waldorf philosophy. Young children in our preschool and kindergarten classrooms experience a day rooted in play and wonder, and gentle, predictable rhythms.
Our kindergarten teachers create a warm, naturally beautiful environment in a home-like setting. Days allow ample time for play, both indoor and outdoor. Children participate in purposeful tasks throughout the day, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, washing, crafting, and more. At circle time, children participate in seasonal verses, songs, stories, and games.
If you are applying from out-of-state or internationally, call or write for more information. We are able to process applications 'from afar'. Thank you for your interest! Our tuition and fees reflect the cost of educating our students and providing a full Waldorf curriculum at each age and grade level.
As parents, we are our children's first teachers. We are their models throughout their lives. MWS parent education evenings are designed to bring knowledge, discussion and inspiration to MWS families and the wider community. We are currently planning several parent education events for 2021/2022, in keeping with current public health guidelines.
Each month, MWS administrative staff host coffee and tea for all parents, grandparents and other caregivers of our students. These mornings (or sometimes afternoons) are a time for parents to connect with old friends, meet someone new, talk about what is going on, and recharge with a quick cup of coffee.
Reviews (11)
Laura F.
Jan 27, 2022
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We have been so happy here! The kids are outside playing in all weather, the teachers are so loving and creative in how they teach and reach your unique child. I have one daughter with some sensory challenges and the environment is so good for her. I love that they focus on educating the hands, the head, and the heart.
Ben Rugg
Oct 16, 2019
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Tarah Nelson
Nov 15, 2017
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Madison Waldorf school is a gift to all! We moved to Madison a few years ago and we were so excited to send our two children to a Waldorf school. We have been embraced in the school community by all and it now feels like family and home. The kids are surrounded by beauty and the adults are too. So much thoughtfulness goes into all the festivals and celebrations. All of this has trickled into our home life. Our daughter in 2nd grade, loves math, knitting, reading and singing, to name a few. Our son in kindergarten loves climbing trees, hiking, making bread, singing and story telling. The love for
Justin Stauffer
Aug 11, 2017
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My daughter has been a student at Madison Waldorf School for 4 years. 3 of those were in the early childhood program and now she's in the grades. The school is like an extension of our family. Her teachers have been amazing and she absolutely loves it there. If you're looking for a school that will educate your whole child and give them a true love of learning, you should visit and take a look at what Madison Waldorf School has to offer.
Kevin Smith
Jan 19, 2017
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Two of my kids started at Madison Waldorf this fall. Overall, the experience has been wonderful for them. They immediately felt comfortable in the Waldorf community, they made friends, and they look forward to school each day.
My kids feel like school is fun, challenging, and rarely boring. There are no worksheets or standardized tests. Instead, they incorporate art into most lessons, they learn Spanish and German, they learn how knit and woodwork, and they go on nature walks.
As a parent, it feels great dropping off my kids at a school they are excited to attend. Their teachers are waiting by
My kids feel like school is fun, challenging, and rarely boring. There are no worksheets or standardized tests. Instead, they incorporate art into most lessons, they learn Spanish and German, they learn how knit and woodwork, and they go on nature walks.
As a parent, it feels great dropping off my kids at a school they are excited to attend. Their teachers are waiting by
Pei-Pei Heikkinen
Jun 20, 2016
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We moved to Madison, WI a few years ago and enrolled our children in a great school. However, The Madison Waldorf School has proven that the holistic approach to teaching has exceeded our expectation. Our kids love going to school everyday; they love learning. The staff and faculty are fantastic in their craft. The curriculum is age appropriate from Early Childhood classes through 8th grade. The school community is strong and vibrant. We can't ask for a better community for our family and learning environment for our children. We highly recommend taking a tour and meeting the staff and faculty
Talia Miller
Jan 12, 2016
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My son is in the Early Childhood (preschool) program and it is amazing. He has grown so much and has developed such important social, cognitive, and practical skills. Most importantly, he loves going to school and we know his teachers love him and are very passionate about their teaching. The classroom is also a warm, beautiful, and peaceful place.
We also use the Aftercare program and the teachers are fantastic. We like that our son has the opportunity to be outside year-round and that he make friends with students of all ages. We've noticed that the older students are really warm and caring
We also use the Aftercare program and the teachers are fantastic. We like that our son has the opportunity to be outside year-round and that he make friends with students of all ages. We've noticed that the older students are really warm and caring
Savitri Tsering
Oct 12, 2014
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My daugther too has been at the school for four years. She loves it! She has an excellent teacher and is excited about her school. Awareness of the "social health" of the classroom is openly honored and worked on by the children and the teacher both through words and activities. That sense of communtiy: how the individual impacts the world they funciton in and the contribution they uniquely make to it is a beautiful and vital thing this school offers..... in addition to awareness of and play (in abundance) in the natural world, art, languages (Spanish and German), games, HANDWORK - rich and fruitful
Inga La Puma
Sep 20, 2014
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The previous poor reviewer did not understand the Waldorf pedagogy and that is a shame because it has done wonders for our children. They are not focused on academics for kindergartners, they teach by getting the children intimately involved in every aspect of learning, the head, the heart and the hands. They learn a love of literature through storytelling and puppetry. They start to grasp the basics of math by hand-knitting and singing throughout the day. They are focused on the rhythm of the seasons with planting and hiking and getting outside EVERY DAY to discover the wonders of biology and
Eleanor Patterson
Sep 10, 2014
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My daughter has been at Madison Waldorf School for four years, and I am constantly amazed at how creative she is, how good her memory is, and how much enthusiasm she has for life. I suppose most people are biased towards their children, but I see the long term impact of the Waldorf approach in her, and I am grateful that there is a Waldorf School here in town. She is a confident individual, who wants to help me with baking, cleaning, and sewing, because she did these tasks everyday in her Waldorf kindergarten class. The school is beautiful, and the nurturing environment makes it a place that she
Callie
Sep 25, 2013
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Our daughter is in kindergarten and is THRIVING at this school. She looks forward to school everyday and is having so much fun! She isn't just learning but experiencing the whole world around her. She's learning how to problem solve, how to be a free thinker, how to be a good friend and so much more. Instead of reading a book to the children, the children are the story tellers - developing their creativity. Instead of learning through a boring text book, they are the artists and authors of their own text book. What's not to like about a school that makes learning fun??? You can tell the teachers
