We love questions! Here are some that we hear most from prospective families. If you don't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to help you!
What is the age cut-off for entry?
- For entry into Early Childhood, children must be three and fully potty trained. The final Kindergarten year is the year in which they turn six by June 1.
- For students applying to later grades, we will thoughtfully evaluate each student to determine the best placement for their academic, social and emotional needs. A successful transition is always paramount in considering placement.
What are the hours?
- PreK and Kindergarten start at 8:30 am and end at either 12:15 or 2:55 pm, depending on the day-length program chosen.
- Grades 1-3 begin at 8:20 am and are dismissed at 3:10 pm.
- Grades 4-5 begin at 8:20 am and are dismissed at 3:20 pm.
- Grades 6-8 begin at 8:15 am and are dismissed at 3:20 pm.
- High School begins at 8 am and dismisses at 3:10 pm, Monday through Thursday. Friday dismissal is at 2:40 pm.
What sorts of students do well at your school?
We are looking for engaged, curious students. We hope to help each student develop their capacity to engage fully with the world, and make a positive impact.
When do your students begin reading?
Our Waldorf curriculum is developmentally based, and brings information to students when they are most ready to receive it. We begin instruction in reading and writing in Grade 1, when our students are ages 6-7. At this age, students will be successful learners, rather than becoming frustrated. Meeting our students with an age-appropriate curriculum helps ensure that students grow to love learning, rather than becoming discouraged or disengaged. Prior to Grade 1, our Kindergarten and Prekindergarten classes lay the groundwork for reading and writing through an enriched oral language arts program and exposure to two world languages.
Are you religiously affiliated?
No. We are nonsectarian and nondenominational. Our community represents a broad spectrum of religious practices and traditions. Our students develop respect for all faiths and knowledge of many religious traditions through the diversity of both the curriculum, and classroom experience.
Where do students go to college?
Graduating seniors are accepted and matriculate to universities and colleges throughout the US and worldwide. Each year up to 70% of our seniors receive merit awards and scholarships from colleges of their choice. Our High School page links to our yearly Success Sheets which list the college choices of graduating students. The Waldorf Graduate Study is a long-term, three-phase look at the outcomes of Waldorf education for graduates around the United States.
When will a family find out if a student is accepted?
For applicants to Grade School, Middle School and High School, parents will be notified within two weeks of the student’s visit. Contracts are typically sent to accepted families by March 1, if all steps of the admissions process are completed.
Accepted Early Childhood students will be sent contracts by March 1 if the application was received by February 1.
How do students from non-Waldorf schools transition into your school?
Students from other educational systems typically transition in very well. Our consciously-small community helps each student to feel at home and become a part of the class very quickly. Typically, very little outside preparation is required on the part of the new student. Depending on the age and background of the student, there may be a need for outside music lessons for a short time, or a familiarization with cursive handwriting. For new students in Grades 5-8, we offer a summer language intensive to gain ground in world language classes.
When should we start the Admissions process?
The best time to begin is in the fall of the prior year. Take advantage of opportunities to visit our school through tours, visit days and open houses throughout the fall and early winter. If Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor is right for your family, submit your application by our priority deadline of February 1. After that date we will still accept applications on a rolling basis, contingent on space availability in the grade or class.
