HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Educating youth through:
Innovative and rigorous academics.
Inclusive, diverse, and positive school culture.
Integration of music, movement, and art.
Outdoor educational experiences and adventures.

In High School, our main lesson blocks are the heart of the curriculum, where one main subject is focused on for three to four weeks at a time for two hours daily. The rest of the day is filled with specialty subjects where students are immersed in courses such as math, music, language, chorus, movement, and art.

Sciences are primarily taught in the laboratory and in the field, where observation and experimentation with the phenomena are the basis for the development of the laws and theories that modern scientists use to make sense of their observations.

In the humanities and social sciences, students are taught using primary source materials: the original versions of the great works of literature, and original historical documents.

Writing is an important part of the curriculum in all subject areas as students keep notes, laboratory records, and journals of their observations and use them to write reports, essays, and poetry.

Work in the arts supports the academic curriculum by developing the capacity to solve problems creatively.

Through the creative arts, we aim to help students cultivate imaginative thinking, perseverance, and attention to detail. Practicing the performing arts develops self-discipline, focus, and the ability to work effectively in a group.

Our School

Our small class sizes allow our master teachers to be up close to the growth and development of each student's learning. Between community service, experiential education trips, hands-on learning, and cutting-edge, science-based educational practices, we are laying the foundation to awaken resilience, compassion, independent thinking and initiative.

Visting & Enrollment

We want to meet you and the steps to enrolling are easy! You can call us to hear more, schedule a tour, come to an Open House, or send us a message. Click here for next steps.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is dynamic, flexible, curated, and customized to each classroom. Core educational concepts are integrated with real world practice. We are ever-growing in our development of anti-racist and inclusive educational practices and pedagogy. Art and student-based creative projects are the center of class work. Students are learning for college, for careers, and for life.

HS Curriculum overview

Are you an accredited school?

Yes! The Cincinnati Waldorf School is a full member school of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). We are also accredited through the state of Ohio.
How do I inquire or apply to Cincinnati Waldorf School?

To inquire for more information, or to apply to Cincinnati Waldorf School, you can do so online or contact Kate Kelley, Enrollment Director, via email or telephone at 513-541-0200.
What are the qualifications of your faculty?

All of our lead teachers have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and additional Waldorf teacher training. The majority of our teachers hold post-graduate degrees and all are licensed teachers in the state of Ohio.
When did CWS open and how many students are enrolled?

The Cincinnati Waldorf School was founded in 1973. It began as an early childhood program and grew gradually to a full grade school (preschool-8) by 2006. Our high school opened in 2018. We currently have over 270 students enrolled at CWS from preschool through 12th grade!
Where do students go when they graduate from CWS?

Our Cincinnati Waldorf High School will have graduated three senior classes in Spring of 2024. We are proud of our graduates for all the pursuits upon which they have embarked after leaving CWS. We are especially pleased to announce the many prestigious colleges and universities to which our seniors have been accepted: Oberlin College and Conservatory Savannah College of Art and Design The Ohio State University Ohio University Miami University of Ohio University of Cincinnati Xavier University Wright State University University of Akron Loyola University Chicago Northern Kentucky University Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cleveland Institute/College of Art and Design Thomas More University You may also be interested to check out the AWSNA Waldorf Alumni Survey, highlighting the bright futures of Waldorf graduates across our continent!
How can I afford a private Waldorf education?

CWS students come from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is our heartfelt mission to make Waldorf education accessible and affordable for as many families as possible. 72% of CWS K-12 students receive an EdChoice scholarship from the State of Ohio. Students not eligible for state scholarships may receive up to 50% of tuition, depending on family income, via our tuition assistance program. Follow the links below to learn more...