Belonging and Becoming at SWHS
Each year, the Senior class has an opportunity to review their experiences at Sacramento Waldorf School—whether they joined their class in Ninth Grade, Eleventh Grade, or have been “Waldorf Lifers” here or in other Waldorf schools for the last 14+ years of their lives—with the College of Teachers. It’s a meaningful and deeply impactful reflection on what education is truly about and how the young adults stepping out into the world for the first time on their own have felt seen, valued, encouraged, and challenged to become who they are. It’s also an opportunity to center student voices: students can reflect critically and a bit more objectively on their education by the end of Twelfth Grade, and they can and regularly do make fantastically thoughtful suggestions to help the whole school grow to be more responsive, culturally sustaining, and relevant for future students.
But before that even happens, students, parents, and SWS Alums have already been sharing stories about their experiences at our school. School review sites like Niche and Great Schools are increasingly how families share and discover the right schools for their children. Below are recent testimonials from students, parents, and alums that speak to the unique learning environment and supportive culture co-created between students and teachers in our High School. At SWHS, you belong, you are valued, and you are supported in becoming more you than you ever thought you could be (follow that one, kids?)
“A Waldorf education does not just nurture the mind or the body—it nurtures the soul. Being a SWS student means you are never alone in your learning and that the whole of you is welcomed.
Since I joined in Ninth Grade, I’ve had access to a developmentally-appropriate curriculum that pushes me to challenge myself and my mind while also giving me enough space and time to not feel burnt-out.
Sacramento Waldorf students truly care about the world we live in and are constantly working together to try and improve the world around us. We are taught how to co-exist in our world and respect our community of people with different ideas and beliefs. We learn how to support one another instead of competing against each other, which creates a friendly environment where every person feels respectfully seen and heard by both their peers and their teachers. As students prepare to graduate and jump into the next chapter of their lives, we are provided with the support and love of an entire community.”
“Now two yeas in, I am so grateful that my son is at SWS. It is an emotionally safe environment where the teachers and administration work together for the betterment of all students. They are easy to reach and connect with and I find them to be collaborators towards my son’s education.
Since there are no tryouts for sports, my son loves that he gets to play even though he might not make the cut at other schools. He enjoys being part of the athletics program, and the social connections and opportunities that come with that.
The students are caring and have welcomed him, even though he knew nobody when he first arrived. It’s good to see him in a place where he is supported socially, emotionally, and academically.
For those considering SWS, don’t think twice. You’ll wish your child had gone here sooner!”
“My daughter graduated SWS in 2017 and earned her BSN from Seattle University in 2022. She is currently working as a nurse at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. My three siblings and I also graduated from SWS in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1986! At SWS we learned to expand our thinking and problem solving. We all loved the arts and crafts like woodworking and weaving. SWS fostered our love of learning, not only academically and intellectually, but also through the arts.”
“From the minute we began kindergarten at Sacramento Waldorf, we knew we were in a treasured partnership with a school that honored childhood as a sacred time of learning and connection. Throughout the grades and with the guidance of some very caring and dedicated faculty and staff members, we truly enjoyed our time on and off campus as we sustained long-lasting friendships and acquired skills not typically offered in public schools. We can think of no better journey for our son who graduated there in 2020.”
“We discovered SWS about three years ago. For my entire life, I have been planning to homeschool any children I have. That is until we found SWS. Having a PhD in a medical science, I was skeptical at first about the level of math and science provided to the students, but after looking over the lessons, talking to the students and talking with the teacher I no longer have any worries. SWS is a great school that my children love!”