About Summerfield waldorf school and farm
Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm: A Unique Educational Experience
Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm is a private school located in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. The school has been awarded the Best Private School in Santa Rosa for three consecutive years. Summerfield offers a unique educational experience that combines academic excellence with hands-on learning on their biodynamic farm.
The school follows the principles of Waldorf education, which was founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1919. This approach emphasizes the importance of educating the whole child – mind, body, and spirit – and recognizes that each child develops at their own pace. The curriculum is designed to meet each student's needs and interests while fostering creativity, critical thinking skills, and a love of learning.
Summerfield offers classes from kindergarten through high school. In the early years (kindergarten through grade 3), students learn through play-based activities that encourage imagination and creativity. They also participate in practical activities such as cooking, gardening, and woodworking to develop fine motor skills.
In grades 4-8, students continue to learn through experiential activities but also begin to focus more on academics. They study subjects such as math, science, history, literature, foreign languages (German or Spanish), music theory/chorus/orchestra/band/art/drama/physical education/yoga/movement eurythmy/handwork/farming/gardening/nature studies/woodworking/metalworking/blacksmithing/ceramics/pottery/bookbinding/sewing/knitting/crocheting/spinning/weaving/dyeing/felting/etc., all taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about their subjects.
In high school (grades 9-12), students take a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that includes advanced courses in math/science/literature/history/world languages/music/theater/art/etc., as well as electives such as environmental studies/sustainability/entrepreneurship/etc. Students also have the opportunity to participate in internships, community service projects, and travel abroad programs.
One of the unique features of Summerfield is its biodynamic farm. The farm provides students with hands-on learning opportunities that connect them to the natural world and teach them about sustainable agriculture. Students learn how to care for animals, grow crops, and make products such as cheese, honey, and soap. They also participate in seasonal festivals that celebrate the cycles of nature.
Summerfield's campus is located on 38 acres of beautiful land that includes gardens, orchards, pastures, woods, and a creek. The school has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented many green initiatives such as solar panels/wind turbines/green roofs/rainwater harvesting/composting/recycling/etc.
In conclusion, Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm offers a unique educational experience that combines academic excellence with hands-on learning on their biodynamic farm. The school follows the principles of Waldorf education which emphasizes educating the whole child – mind/body/spirit – while fostering creativity/critical thinking skills/love of learning/etc., all taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about their subjects. With its beautiful campus/sustainability initiatives/biodynamic farm/strong academics/community involvement/international travel opportunities/etc., Summerfield is truly one-of-a-kind!