515 Cougar Ridge Dr. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 5G9
School Busing:
Calgary Waldorf School offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are regular rider.
The regions Calgary Waldorf School offers busing from are:
Calgary
Additional notes: The Calgary Waldorf School has a contract with Webber Academy to provide space on their school buses to our students . The set boundaries for the school buses to travel in the north end of Calgary are Stoney Trail north and Deerfoot Trail, and in the south Macleod Trail and Highway 22X (Stoney Trail south).
Students living outside the boundaries will have to be brought to a designated stop within the bus zone of a specified community for early morning pick up and afternoon drop off
The program is established and proven, having been founded in 1985. Facilities are frankly excellent, having been purpose built for the CWS program in 2002, and created through consultation and cooperation with the entire school community. Spaces are ample, well appointed, and naturally lit. The aesthetic throughout is energizing. A wealth of outdoor space is a plus, to with more than four acres combining multi-use fields, play spaces, and sports fields. The proximity to the Canada Olympic Park isn’t perhaps meaningful in any substantive way, but is nice all the same. In the creation of the facility, to the day-to-day experience of the school, the school prides itself on the community that it both serves and represents, and well it should. There’s a village feel throughout, which only amplifies the academic work being done. Parents feel as much a part of the school as the students, which supports the work of the school in lots of overt and subtle ways. Staff are dedicated and experienced, and the daily routines—from drop off to aftercare—are friendly and sympathetic to the needs of parents and everything that can pop up in the course of a day.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Central to Waldorf education is a deep respect for childhood. Time in nature is built into every student’s daily rhythm. The Waldorf learning experience is hands-on, with unwired and low-tech classrooms. The arts — music, story, drawing, painting, and drama — are woven through all academics. World languages, practical arts, and movement enrich the experience."
Beginning in grade one children learn two world languages, French and German.
Handwork and Woodwork are part of the curriculum
Middle School students take part in a series of elective classes including wrestling, robotics, etc.
Independent School athletics program begins in grade seven with after school sports.
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"This whole-child approach to education is rooted in the Waldorf concepts of "feeling, thinking, willing," and "heart, head, hands." These concepts are based on Dr. Rudolf...(more)
"This whole-child approach to education is rooted in the Waldorf concepts of "feeling, thinking, willing," and "heart, head, hands." These concepts are based on Dr. Rudolf Steiner's philosophies, and adapted for a changing world. We strive to honour, nurture, and protect the childhood of our students; to guide them into healthy adolescence; and to help them mature in ways that go beyond the simply material aspects of our nature and our world."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Our philosophy prioritizes the integration of arts, imagination, and movement into all academic disciplines. Our curriculum fosters intellectual flexibility and creative thinking,...(more)
"Our philosophy prioritizes the integration of arts, imagination, and movement into all academic disciplines. Our curriculum fosters intellectual flexibility and creative thinking, with an eye to ethics and morality. Knowledge is important, but understanding what to do with that knowledge is critical. We believe that becoming a successful human is a function of weaving together a rich tapestry of capacities and abilities."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is discouraged in Waldorf schools. So too is the over-emphasis of commercialism and busy extra-curricular...(more)
"The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is discouraged in Waldorf schools. So too is the over-emphasis of commercialism and busy extra-curricular schedules. The importance of a balanced and strong family life is emphasized, encouraged and supported at Calgary Waldorf."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Waldorf class teachers build strong relationships with their students. Our methodology is rooted in rhythm and routine, and supported by having a Class Teacher. The teacher stays...(more)
"Waldorf class teachers build strong relationships with their students. Our methodology is rooted in rhythm and routine, and supported by having a Class Teacher. The teacher stays with their class for several consecutive years, acting as mentor, role model, and guardian. A Class Teacher is better able to assess each individual's development needs, and fosters shared experience and a strong bond between the teacher and the students and their families."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
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