Teenagers are alive with questions about the world and their place in it. At PWHS, we help students answer those questions, while challenging and empowering them. Our mission is to help teenagers become the adults they are meant to be.
We emphasize critical thinking, independent investigation, and applied academic and creative skills. Every student takes units of physics, chemistry, and biology each year, each with lab experience. Twelfth grade mathematics includes pre-calculus and calculus. At the same time, every student takes one of two foreign languages, choir or orchestra, fine and applied arts, drama, physical education, and movement.
The education is experiential
Trigonometry is taken into the field with surveying; carbonation is studied by making root beer; chemistry is partially taught through the mysteries of the dark room. Social science classes employ role plays and debates, and the world becomes the classroom through field trips and frequent guest speakers.
Subjects are integrated
Faculty draw connections between disciplines, revealing the context for the development of ideas. A lesson in astronomy connects to the history of science. While students read the Odyssey, they learn to weave as Penelope wove while awaiting Odysseus’s return.
Short intensive units create variety, freshness, and depth
We teach major academic subjects in rotating intensive blocks, so students take chemistry and biology, history and literature every year, each time from a different angle, each time at a deeper level of complexity.
The education fosters creativity
Individual projects are frequent and allow students to explore their interests in unique ways. Students may draw on their art skills to illustrate a scientific concept, or produce a film for an assignment in German.
Individual attention and small class sizes foster students
When you include all our specialty faculty, the student teacher ratio at PWHS is 4 to 1. No one gets lost. Advisors and teachers know every student. Teachers are accessible.
Our faculty is exceptional. All are specialists with a minimum of one bachelors degree in their subject plus two to three years of coursework in Waldorf teacher training. Two faculty have taught extensively at the college level. Another brings experience in private industry. Others have extensive experience teaching in public schools.
