About Us

Founded in 1947, The Waldorf School of Garden City is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school for students age three through twelfth grade. Our philosophy is based on the values of imagination, integrity, hard work, kindness, personal and social responsibility, and mutual respect. We are dedicated to providing a rigorous, liberal arts education that focuses on the development of the whole human being. Emphasis is placed on a multidisciplinary approach to learning through a curriculum that balances the physical, artistic, social and intellectual needs of our students. Our nurturing environment and diverse community enable our students to excel as educated and compassionate individuals whose lives are enriched by their lifelong passion for learning. 

The Waldorf Approach

The term “Waldorf” refers to an educational approach developed by Austrian philosopher named Rudolf Steiner. Steiner wrote [that]:

"The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art -- it must speak to the child’s experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached as well as his mind."

In Waldorf schools no single capacity is viewed as more important than another. To foster a child’s healthy development, insightful thinking must rest upon a strong foundation of purposeful activity as well as a framework of emotional development.

With 90 years of proven curriculum experience, Waldorf education has nearly 2,500 schools and kindergartens in over 60 countries. Over 94% of North American Waldorf graduates gain admission to a post-secondary school of their choice and 50% go on to postgraduate education.

To learn more about the philosophy and history of Waldorf education, please click here.

Mission Statement

To nurture toward compassion, to balance toward wholeness, to challenge toward excellence and achievement - these are the goals to which the Waldorf School of Garden City aspires. Based on the insights of Rudolf Steiner, and enriched by the diversity of our community, our methods of teaching reflect an understanding of the growing child and acknowledge the spiritual origins of humanity.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Waldorf School of Garden City is committed to fostering a fully inclusive school community and welcomes students and staff of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations and spiritual values.