Below is an overview of the academic program at our high school. For questions or interest in setting up a tour, please contact ksimon@steinerschool.org.
All students at Rudolf Steiner High School take the following:
- Four years of main lessons in core academic areas — Life Sciences, Math, History, English, Aesthetics, and Physical Sciences classes taught in three to four week seminars.
- Four years of special subject classes — these supplement the main lesson curriculum with narrower topics like American History, Computers, Permutations and Combinations, Etymology, Grammar, College Prep, Civics, Economics, and laboratory sections for science main lessons.
- Four years of art classes — including drawing, painting, clay, woodworking, stone carving, pottery, mosaic, stained glass, and more.
- Four years of math and foreign language — taught in year-long track classes. These classes are taught by ability level. Math classes include Algebra I&II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. For foreign language, students can choose between German and Spanish.
- Four years of music — there are two types of music class: music electives and all school chorus, which both meet twice a week. For their electives, students can choose from orchestra, jazz band, steel drums, guitar, singing, and chamber groups.
- Class trips and internships — each grade except eleventh has a special trip, and senior year has two:
– Ninth: Farm Trip
– Tenth: Survey Trip
– Twelfth: Main Trip, Italy Trip
Eleventh graders arrange and complete an internship away from school, giving them valuable work experience and connections. Students do things like: shadow doctors and nurses, work for tech companies, intern at non-profit groups, assist in research labs, and apprentice with a baker for a week. - Two plays – the tenth grade performs a Greek tragedy, and the twelfth grade puts on a Shakespeare comedy. Students act, design costumes and sets, make and procure props, and promote the show.
In addition to the required curriculum, we have electives:
- Junior and Senior Electives — these intensives take the place of special subject lessons for three to four weeks, and the options include Mathematical Chemistry, Mathematical Physics, Russian Literature I & II, Philosophy, and a variety of art and other electives that change from year to year
- International Exchange — in a unique opportunity, students may set up exchanges with Waldorf schools around the world. Many go to Spanish or German speaking countries, but there are opportunities worldwide.
See our International Exchange page. - Senior Project — offered as an elective each year, this is an opportunity for a student to take on a substantial project in something they are passionate about with the help of a faculty advisor and a mentor outside of school. The student is responsible for meeting deadlines and working on their project outside of school. Past projects have included:
– Writing a full length novel
– Developing and writing grant proposals
– Writing an extensive research paper
– Learning to make and produce neon signs
– Designing and tailoring a full wardrobe
– Writing and playing original album
Outside of classes, students may join a wide variety of extracurricular activities.