Elementary & Middle School

In the Waldorf developmentally aligned approach, first grade is the beginning of the second learning phase for children. This seven-year learning cycle, Grades 1 - 8, is marked by deep changes and growth, as they move from early childhood’s sensory-based understanding of themselves and the world to a widening perspective of their unique selves as individuals within the collective whole.

In addition to a deeply robust elementary school curriculum in the core subject areas of mathematics, language arts, social studies and science, grades students study handwork (knitting and sewing), music, art, Eurythmy, movement, Spanish, Mandarin, and woodwork.

Our well-rounded, holistic education is truly whole-child—developing their inner life as much as their social, academic one. Learn more about how we teach.

Dedicated Teachers

Your child will often stay with the same teacher, called the Class Teacher, from 1st – 8th grade as they navigate their childhood learning journey.

Class teachers offer a sense of foundational stability and a depth of understanding of your child’s unique skills and challenges.

A team of Specialty Teachers rounds out student learning and deepens skill sets by offering expertise in respective fields. By sixth grade, math is taught daily by an expert.

Meet Our Faculty

Essential Waldorf Teaching Principles

  • DEVELOPMENTALLY ALIGNED

    Subjects are introduced when your child is ready, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the material and alignment with their brain and social/emotional development.

    You will find that Waldorf curriculum introduces some themes and topics later than other school programs, based on Anthroposophy childhood development.

  • STORYTELLING & IMAGINATION

    Storytelling plays a central role in Waldorf education, with teachers often using narratives to teach subjects like history, science, and mathematics.

    This approach encourages imagination and helps children internalize concepts in a meaningful way. In the Grades, children read tales from around the globe that help them begin to form their own moral compass.

  • LEARNING THROUGH NATURE

    Outdoor activities are woven into the curriculum, promoting an appreciation for the natural world and sustainable living.

    Our beautiful seven-acre campus provides a rich backdrop for daily engaged outdoor learning, while walks to the river and outdoor field trips are integrated into the curriculum.

  • GRADES 1 - 5

    Waldorf students formally begin their academic journey in first grade building from the early childhood groundwork in imagination, rhythm, and reverence for the natural world. Through storytelling, foundational work in language, mathematics, and nature studies, children begin to nurture both their intellect and inner life.

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  • GRADES 6 - 8

    In the middle school years, grades 6-8, Waldorf students enter a phase of deeper introspection, mirroring the self-awareness and emotional complexity that emerge during early adolescence. This shift is met with thoughtful guidance from their teachers, who continue to hold the whole child—intellect, emotion, and will—while introducing a more rigorous academic curriculum designed to meet their expanding capacities.

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Main Lesson Block

A unique component of Waldorf—and now more frequently used in project-based learning programs—is the main lesson block. All children begin the first few hours of their day with their Class Teacher, immersed in a subject or theme, which continues for two to three weeks. 

The following chart is a rough outline of class curriculum. Freedom in teaching is a core pedagogical philosophy and teachers are encouraged to innovate and explore within the curriculum to best fit the needs of the class. Click on the PDF chart below to learn more.

Daily Rhythm at PWS

  • JUMP ROPE | Each day begins with joyful movement for students in grades 1–5. Jump rope offers a rhythmic, full-body warm-up that activates both body and mind—laying the foundation for focused learning throughout the morning.

  • MORNING HANDSHAKE | As the school day begins, every student from grades 1–8 is greeted personally by their teacher with a handshake. This quiet moment of connection is a gesture of mutual respect, presence, and recognition, setting a tone of trust and attentiveness.

  • DAILY VERSE | The classroom day opens with spoken verse—poetry committed to memory and recited aloud. These verses, selected to align with the developmental stage of each grade, inspire reverence for nature, learning, and the unique spirit within each child.

  • MAIN LESSON BLOCK | The first two hours of each morning are devoted to an immersive main lesson, focusing on a single subject or theme from the core academic disciplines: language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies. This deep-dive approach cultivates concentration, curiosity, and a meaningful connection to the material—nurturing skills especially vital in today’s fast-paced, media-saturated world.

  • SPANISH AND MANDARIN | Students begin to learn languages at an early age in Waldorf classrooms because it builds strong neural connections in the brain and fosters a respect and interest in different cultures and experiences.

  • HANDWORK | Through the art of sewing, knitting, and crocheting, students develop fine motor coordination, patience, and perseverance. Creating tangible, useful items—such as dolls, pincushions, or blankets—instills a quiet confidence and a joyful sense of accomplishment.

  • CLASS PLAY | Each year, every class produces and performs a play. Students collaborate to learn lines, build sets, sing, and embody characters—developing expressive language skills, teamwork, memory, and a deep sense of creative ownership

  • WOODWORKING | In our woodworking classes, students learn to shape wood with their hands—sawing, sanding, and constructing tools, toys, or stools. These tactile experiences cultivate spatial reasoning, craftsmanship, and pride in making something lasting and real.

  • MOVEMENT | Children thrive when they move. Daily movement classes provide space for games, coordination, and collaborative physical activity, reinforcing both social skills and physical health.

  • EURYTHMY | Unique to Waldorf education, Eurythmy is a movement art that brings language and music into form through gesture and rhythm. These mindful, flowing exercises support brain integration, emotional balance, spatial awareness, and group harmony.

  • MATHEMATICS | Math is integrated into students' daily lives, including 15-20 minutes worth of homework each evening as they move into middle school. Fundamentals are built upon throughout the younger grades, working towards geometry and algebra as they progress through the grades.

  • ART | Art is woven into the fabric of Waldorf learning. As students grow, they develop increasing technical skill and aesthetic sensitivity. Artistic practice sharpens observation, nurtures imagination, and opens the mind to new ways of seeing.

  • MUSIC | Music lives at the heart of Waldorf education. Singing is part of the daily rhythm, and students learn to play string instruments in the grades—deepening their emotional expression, mathematical insight, and appreciation for beauty.

  • CHORES | The close of each day includes tidying the classroom. Students rotate responsibilities week to week.

  • CLOSING HANDSHAKE | As the day draws to a close, students once again meet their teacher at the door for a parting handshake—a gesture of gratitude, acknowledgment, and closure after a day of shared learning and growth.

  • Waldorf education is rooted in the spiritual and developmental philosophy of Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy, which emphasizes the profound inter-connectedness of human beings with both the natural world and the spiritual realm. Learn More

  • PWS is the most established Waldorf School in the Portland Metro Region, and the only Nursery through High School Program in the Pacific Northwest. Our strong roots allow for innovation in the classroom, while our steadfast commitment to Eurythmy underscores our dedication to Anthroposophy. Learn More

  • At Portland Waldorf School, we seek to create an inclusive community where our differences are both valued and acknowledged. Celebrating our shared humanity and striving to be our best selves is a priority. Learn More

  • Our entire school campus is a cell-phone free zone. Technology, like daily access to laptops and instructional presentations, is used only in the high school as a tool to help adolescence achieve their specific goals purposefully. Read more

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