About Portland Waldorf School

For more than 26 years, Portland Waldorf School has supported families  in their desire to bring a rich and full education to the greater Portland area.

With over 360 students in Pre-K through 12th grade, Portland Waldorf School is a full member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and, like other Waldorf schools located worldwide, educates children using Rudolf Steiner’s profound insights into the developmental phases of childhood. In 2009 we were again granted full Accreditation for 7 years with the remark that, " Portland Waldorf School is a model of a Waldorf school working diligently with the foundations and principles of Waldorf education." 

The 7.2-acre campus contains two school buildings, a large playing field, three playgrounds, an orchard, two creeks, riparian areas, a spring, Early Childhood and Third Grade gardens, and a large bioswale. The main building, which was built in 1936 as a Works Progress Administration project, houses the lower school.  A smaller brick building, built in 1973, holds the High School. An adjacent blacksmithing/applied arts building was built in the summer of 2008.

Based on a profound understanding of human development, we are a part of the largest independent, non-denominational educational movement in the world.  The fruits of Waldorf provide a detailed, richly artistic curriculum that also connects the students to nature and ready for the future.  In addition, the curriculum strives to enhance the child's developmental phases and cultivates social and emotional intelligence.

Out of strong confidence in the innate power unfolding in each child, teachers cultivate three fundamental qualities that are sure bases for lifelong learning: reverence towards all that lives, gratitude and respect for the efforts and accomplishment of others, and responsibility for the child’s own free and self-disciplined action. In this way, the Waldorf teacher strives to be a worthy guide to and guardian of the unfolding gifts of each child.

We are one of more than 1000 Waldorf Schools and 1600 Early Childhood programs in the world.We are fully accredited by both AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America) as well as NAAS (Northwest Association of Accredited Schools).

“The adults I know who have come out of Waldorf schools are extraordinary people. That education leaves a strong mark of thoroughness, carefulness and thoughtfulness.”
Deborah Maier Principal of the Mission Hill School in Roxbury, MA recipient of a MacArthur “genius grant” for her work in public school reform