Choosing a school for your child can be one of the most important decisions you can make. The choice not only has an effect on your child’s development, but also on the family experience as well. The community that a school brings to a family can act as an important resource. Raising children is a difficult task, so finding a community with similar values is a wonderful gift.
Here are the shared values of the Nevada Sage Waldorf School community:
High levels of appropriate parental participation.
We encourage parents to be involved in their children’s lives. In early childhood, parents are welcome to come into the classroom and participate in activities from time to time. Children love to show their parents the world that they have built at school, and a parent’s interest means the world to them. We have an active Parent Council group where parents can dive further into Waldorf education, planning festivals, and brainstorming what other little projects can be helpful for the school.
A healthy food environment.
Children are able to settle into their play and studies better when they are nourished with healthy foods. In the early childhood, we provide snacks that are organic with dairy and gluten-free options if desired. We encourage families to pack lunches that are high in protein and are as colorful as the rainbow!
Being mindful of our environment, including being good land stewards, reducing waste, and recycling.
At NSWS, we try to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Starting in Kindergarten, students learn how to patch up holes in their clothing. As they get older, they develop more skills, such as woodworking, to discover how to use what we already have in order to build something new.
Appropriate and responsible use of technology, limiting the use of screens including computers, social media, video games, and cell phones.
It is rare to see a child with a cell phone at our school. Screen time and exposure to media can come later in life. The early stages are for imagination, socialization, and movement. With the support of many well-researched studies, we encourage parents to limit screen time at home as well.
We respect children as unique individuals, and rely on student portfolio assessment and other forms of qualitative assessment rather than standardized testing to ensure they are meeting standards and fulfilling their academic potential.
Our students find joy in learning through a process that does not hold their work’s value to a grade. When our students reach 6th grade, they start practicing standardized tests to prepare them for their schooling after middle school. However, we do not limit our curriculum to what the standardized tests require. Although we do not base their success on the test’s results, they do test well.
Diversity and social inclusion. We are a compassionate campus.
All children are welcome and provided a safe place to learn regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
Being a spiritual school, though not a religious school. We are all connected in some way, and our gatherings and festivals help connect our school community.
Waldorf schools around the world celebrate similar festivals throughout the year. There is comfort in knowing that when we are enjoying the May Faire, there are many others in our extended Waldorf community doing the same. Where each individual family can rely on the community of the school for support, our school in its entirety can rely on the Waldorf community for guidance and support as well.
A village of friends for the children and a community of support for parents.
In this day and age, a strong community is something to cherish as it seems to not be as common. It is nice for families to know they can rely on each other and the school for support. Stress is alleviated which leads to a happier environment for both the children and adults.
For children to have a happy childhood, a strong foundation, and develop knowledge, skills, and ability to attend any high school they wish as well as excellent colleges and universities.
Children who love learning and have the foundational skills to be emotionally and socially competent grow up to be adults who flourish.
A safe place for children and parents to raise their children.
If a child feels safe and secure, they can focus on what is important: Playing in early childhood, and learning in grade school!
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