Emerson Waldorf School

The Emerson Waldorf School, founded in 1984, is a Pre-K to Grade 12 Waldorf school with about 300 enrolled students. The convert|54|acre|ha|lk=out|adj=on campus is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school offers a curriculum based on the philosophical and pedagogical indications of Rudolf Steiner, designed to promote interdisciplinary and multi-sensory learning.

Curriculum

While the Waldorf curriculum contains a traditional academic focus, there are a number of distinctive aspects to the education:

*"A classical humanities curriculum" begins in second and third grade with mythology and legends and takes the children from Greece and Rome- through medieval history, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of Exploration, up to the present day. The High School curriculum includes English literature (mythology, comedy and tragedy, the Odyssey, poetry, Shakespeare, Parzival, Dante, Faust and Transcendentalism), class plays, history (revolutions, ancient history, history through art, medieval history, ancient Asia, history through film, history through music, history through architecture, history since 1945).

*"Mathematics" in the High School includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, projective geometry, pre-calculus and calculus.

*"The sciences" include the biological sciences (botany, biology, anatomy, embryology and zoology), chemistry (inorganic and organic chemistry, acids bases and salts, chemistry of the elements and atomic theory), physics (sound, mechanics, thermodynamics, kinetics, electromagnetism and optics), and the earth sciences (meteorology, astronomy, geology, environmental science). The sciences are taught phenomenologically and experientially.

*"Two foreign languages" are taught beginning in the first grade.

*"The arts" - Drama, painting, drawing, music, practical arts, and modeling are integrated into the academic curriculum, including mathematics and the sciences. Practical arts include clay modeling, woodworking, copper-smithing, blacksmithing, and cabinetry. [ [http://www.emersonwaldorf.org/wp-content/themes/ews/pdfs/Insights_Fall06.pdf Dennis Hagerman, "Making Beautiful Things to Use: Practical Arts through the Grades"] , "Insights: Into Waldorf Education", Fall/Winter, 2006. Accessed 2007-12-15.] Handwork includes knitting, crochet, sewing and embroidery in the Lower School and, in the High School, includes book-binding, basketry and weaving. [ [http://www.triangleweavers.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=36 Triangle Weavers Guild: Teaching at Emerson Waldorf] . Accessed 2007-12-26.] Extracurricular activities in the High School include marionette construction and performances. [ [http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2008/04/10/school-brief-faust-in-marionette/ "The Carrboro Citizen" article] , "Faust in marionette", 4/10/08. Accessed 2008-04-19.]

*The "class teacher" takes the same class of children through the elementary and middle school grades, teaching all the main subjects. In the High School, the subjects are taught by teachers who specialize in that subject area.

*"Textbooks" are generally not used in the elementary and middle school grades. Instead, the teacher creates the presentation and the children make their individual books for each subject taught, recording and illustrating the lessons.

*"Athletics" - Physical education is taught throughout the grades. The sports offered in the High School include: Fall (co-ed soccer), Winter (boys/girls basketball), Spring (tennis, swimming, ultimate Frisbee, and circus [ [http://www.chapelhillnews.com/weekend/story/7477.html "Chapel Hill News" article] , From darkness to light: Emerson Waldorf students present a 'Circus of Sorts', 5/22/07. Accessed 2007-12-26.] [ [http://www.chapelhillnews.com/weekend/story/12578.html "Chapel Hill News" article] , Students to present circus of the stars, 2/6/08. Accessed 2008-04-15.] ). The High School is a Charter Member of the Central Carolina Athletic League, which was founded in September 2006. [ [http://www.hopewellacademy.org/athletics/CCAL.html Central Carolina Athletic League conference members] . Accessed 2007-12-15.] The High School competes in end of season conference tournaments for co-ed soccer and boys/girls basketball.

Celebrations and festivals

The School holds a "Rose Ceremony" at the beginning of the school year to welcome first graders to the Lower School. [ [http://www.newsobserver.com/1181/story/684170.html "The News & Observer" article] , Welcoming the First Graders. Accessed 2008-02-03.] Various festivals are held each year, including Michaelmas, [ [http://www.chapelhillnews.com/news/story/9957.html "Chapel Hill News" article] , Message from Michael: Festival celebrates the courage to struggle with challenges, 9/30/07. Accessed 2008-02-03.] Martinmas Lantern Walk, [ [http://www.dailytarheel.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=9096c01a-72fe-4d1d-92a9-e59a009d6831 "Daily Tar Heel" article] , School celebrates Martinmas, 11/13/06. Accessed 2007-12-26.] the Spiral of Light, Santa Lucia, and a May Day celebration. In addition, festivals from other cultures are arranged from time to time, such as "Las Posadas". [ [http://hogarhispano.homestead.com/LasPosadas.html "Las Posadas"] , a Mexican Christmas ritual commemorating Joseph and Mary's attempt to find lodging in Bethlehem, 12/15/2001. Accessed 2007-12-26.] The School also hosts two community-wide celebrations, a Holiday Fair in November-December [ [http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2007/11/29/recently-holiday-magic-at-emerson-waldorf-faire/ "The Carrboro Citizen" article] , Recently: Holiday magic at Emerson Waldorf Faire, 11/29/07. Accessed 2007-12-26.] and a May Faire.

chool policies

*"Governance" - Instead of a principal or headmaster, the school is governed by three bodies: the College of Teachers is responsible for all teaching and curriculum, the Board of Directors provides legal and financial oversight, and the administration manages enrollment and financial operations.

*"Media" - The school generally discourages the watching of television and similar media and use of electronic games. Computer use is introduced in the high school.

*"Tuition Assistance" is offered on the philosophy that every family should have the financial option of sending their children to the school.

References

External links

* [http://emersonwaldorf.org Emerson Waldorf School - main web site] . Accessed 2007-12-26.
* [http://www.emersonwaldorfhighschool.org/displayfeature.php?article=intro Emerson Waldorf School - high school web site] . Accessed 2007-12-26.