Waldorf schools offer a unique approach to education that is both developmentally appropriate and academically rigorous. We integrate the arts into all academic disciplines, from preschool to twelfth grade, to enhance and enrich the learning experience. Our ultimate goal is to inspire lifelong learning and enable every student to fully develop their unique capacities.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Waldorf philosophy is its recognition of the essential spiritual nature within each individual. While knowledge acquisition is an important aspect of learning, we also prioritize educating the heart and will of the child. This ensures that knowledge is joined with compassion and action, resulting in a well-rounded personality.
Our school day begins with a two-hour main lesson period, where students focus intensively on one subject at a time for three to four weeks. Additionally, specialty subjects such as art, crafts, eurythmy, foreign languages (Mandarin and German), gardening, music, and physical education are taught year-round.
At our school, we believe in experiencing subjects such as music, dance, theatre, writing, literature, legends, and myths, rather than simply reading about them and taking tests. By doing so, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities, becoming individuals who are certain of their paths and ready to serve the world.
Students create their own main lesson books based on material presented by their teacher. As they progress through the grades, group discussions, reference books, and classic literature increasingly supplement the teacher's oral presentations.
Lower Grades (1st - 4th Grades)
At Garden House Waldorf School, a child's education in academic subjects
includes hands on learning through music, painting, sculpture, movement and woodworking. Grades 1 4 is a time for children to understand the relationship between themselves and the world around them. Providing space and encouragement through this developmental stage enables the child to become stable, balanced and self sufficient
Upper Grades (5th - 6th Grades)
The approach to Waldorf education is creative but it is also rigorous. Entering into the upper grades with a foundation of strength and self sufficiency, the child can now successfully enter into the next developmental stage where he can flourish. This is a time of awareness and self discovery which lays the path for a lifelong love of learning
Class 1
The child has completed the formation of their physical body and is ready to begin work with their mind. Children learn best at this age by entering the world with love, sympathy and wonder.
Curriculum: Letters and Sounds, Writing, Chines e , Folk and Fairy Tales, Numbers, The Four O perations (+, --, x, ÷).
Class 2
The child is like a butterfly who has just emerged from the chrysalis sitting upon a
leaf poised for flight. This is the time when they discover their relationship with the
world around them. They are eager to participate in everything that comes to their
attention
Curriculum: English Writing and Reading, Numbers and Arithmetic, Numerical
Patterns & Times Tables, Chinese, Legends and Fables, Stories of Saints, The King of
Ireland’s Son.
Class 3
This is the “Crossing Point” for a child. They start to question everything and feel separate from the world. They sometimes suffer from loneliness and fear. At this time it is important for the child to learn self sufficiency.
Curriculum: Stories from the Old Testament, Farming, Building, Measurement,
Money and Money Systems, Writing and Grammar, Chinese, German.
Class 4
The child is “Encountering SELF” This is a time where they are finding stability and strength as an individual yet working harmoniously together.
Curriculum: Norse Myths, Humans and Animals, Local Geography (and history), Grammar, Letter Writing, Fractions, Chinese, German.
Class 5
The Class 5 child has crossed over into harmonious balance where they can begin to flourish. This is the time to establish foundations for their future.
Curriculum: Ancient Mythologies: China, Babylon, Persia, Egypt, Greece. Plants, Grammar, Chinese, German, Decimals (ordinary fractions and decimal fractions), Freehand Geometry, Geography of the Hong Kong and nearby.
Class 6
The child takes a firm, intentional step into the outer world and becomes aware of the changes in their body. With increasing awareness of the physical self, the time is right for study of the physical body of the earth.
Curriculum: The Romans, The Dark Ages and the Age of Chivalry, the Crusades, Geology and Mineralogy, Astronomy, Geometry and Pythagoras, Percentages and Business Maths, Geography of Asia, Physics: Sound, Light, Warmth, Magnetism, Chinese, German.