Inspiring Lifelong Learners C a m e l l i a & S ac r a m e n to Wa l d o r f S c h o o l s
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Photos by Anne Stokes
Live it. Learn it. Love it. A C am e llia Wal d orf school b u il d s a lif e lon g lov e of l e arnin g
love of learning is one of the best gifts you can give your child. Camellia Waldorf School prepares your child for a lifelong love of learning by developing their critical thinking skills, social-emotional intelligence and kinesthetic learning. “They learn that they can learn anything, and from that comes tremendous confidence to face life knowing they have this tool in their hands,” says Deirdre Johnson, admissions director at Camellia Waldorf School. “No matter what life presents to them they can develop the tools to deal with it.” Camellia’s education is built around experiential learning — where the theory arises out of practical activity. For instance, knowing how thread is made makes sense once you’ve sheared the sheep, washed the wool, and spun it on a spindle. Waldorf knows that if a child is taught a concept through hands-on lessons, then he or she will understand it. In early childhood, Camellia Waldorf School prepares students for academics through nature-based play. Students enjoy digging in the garden, all the while learning social skills and how to take responsibility for actions. In the grades at
Camellia, classmates and teachers stay together for multiple years. This builds continuity of learning and aids in individual attention. Raising a child takes a community. At Camellia you will find an invaluable extension and support for your family. Teachers and parents work closely together to reinforce values and concepts. “It’s not a cookie-cutter education.The breadth of activities allows children to discover where their talents and challenges are,” Johnson says. “Challenges create accomplishment, and accomplishment builds self-esteem — that’s what Camellia does.” As children move into grade school, emphasis is placed on developing the imaginative and creative sides of the child. All lessons, from math to history, are explored for several weeks and reinforced through experiences that enhance understanding. Subjects also are integrated, meaning a lesson on ancient Greece may involve not only history, but art and science. Many parents and students from the area’s five sister Waldorf schools choose Waldorf Education® through
by Michelle Carl
grade 12. At Sacramento Waldorf High School in Fair Oaks, students receive a rigorous education in the core skills and competencies that teach them about the interconnectedness of the disciplines. Instead of being prepared to take tests, students are prepared for solving problems in life. “Parents are drawn to Sacramento Waldorf High School because they want their student to develop flexible, creative critical thinking skills, as well as healthy social-emotional intelligence,” says Nick Broad, director of admissions at Sacramento Waldorf School. “Our dedicated faculty members draw out all the talents from our students, and help to prepare them to enter college as intelligent, confident, resilient and extremely well-rounded individuals. It also helps to have 22 acres and incredible, state-of-the-art facilities.” At Sacramento Waldorf School, which covers from pre-K through grade 12, students participate in numerous community festivals, athletics and the school’s organic teaching farm. Education at these schools honors the child’s individuality while helping him or her discover talents. It exposes students to challenges that prepare them for life.
outcomes & facts Sacramento Waldorf High School •A ccredited by Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC) and Association of Waldorf Schools of Nor th America (AWSNA)
• State-of-the-ar t science facilities and gym • N on-sectarian, independent, co-educational • 22-acre campus on the American River • 5-acre organic teaching farm
Emphasizes socialemotional intelligence, critical thinking and kinesthetic learning. Preserves childhood by encouraging imaginative, developmentally appropriate learning.
Average class size at Camelia Waldorf
15
96%
35%
of Waldorf graduates attend college or university. At Camellia Waldorf School, our
Limits screen-time, which improves engagement and social interaction.
8th
graders
test at
11th
grade level in math & science
choose the sciences or math as a major. and at
12th
grade level in reading
(CTBS average scores 2012-2013)
2 Inspiring Lifelong Learners
www.camelliawaldorf.org | www.sacwaldorf.org
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Photo courtesy of the Hodgkinson family Abigail, Olivia and mom Georgina enjoy their experience at Camellia Waldorf School.
A Collaborative Approach to Learning
W
hen her daughter Abigail star ted kindergar ten, Georgine Hodgkinson became a classroom volunteer. She was shocked by the overwhelming class size and worried that her daughter’s needs could not be met in the public school system. Hodgkinson and her husband, Eric Nor ton, began investigating other options. “It had nothing to do with the skill level of the teacher,” Hodgkinson says. “I was worried my child would get lost in the chaos.”
At Camellia, the classroom is such a magical place. It is so wonderful to have a teacher who really knows your child far beyond test scores and grades. Georgine Hodgkinson mother of two children enrolled at Camellia Waldorf
At Camellia Waldorf School, Hodgkinson and Nor ton were impressed by the small class sizes and creative curriculum. They liked the idea of Abigail having the same teacher from grades one through eight. When they saw the impressive test scores of the graduating eighth graders, they enrolled Abigail.
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“At Camellia, the classroom is such a magical place,” Hodgkinson says. “It is so wonderful to have a teacher who really knows your child far beyond test scores and grades.” Abigail’s teacher, Pat Caverly, has been a cer tified Waldorf class teacher for 28 years. After observing the experience of her own children, Caverly was inspired to lead a classroom of her own. “The relationship with students becomes very personal,” Caverly says. “Abigail is an amazing go-getter. She is very strong intellectually as well as curious and full of interest. She also loves to present a really good argument.” Caverly knows that she and Abigail’s parents are working together as a team to help her succeed. The parents also are involved in school activities and often set up play dates and trips with other students and parents. “We are par t of an educational community that has been a tremendous asset in my child’s life,” Hodgkinson says. “I would definitely recommend a Waldorf education to other parents.” “Because of her Waldorf education, Abigail’s critical thinking skills are excellent and she has a strong sense of self,” Hodgkinson says. Hodgkinson is so impressed with Abigail’s success that she decided on a Waldorf Education® for younger daughter Olivia as well.
For Life Learning is a j ourne y at S acramento Wa l d orf H igh S choo l b y M i k e Bl o u n t
K
ai Meyers, 17, is about to enter his final year at Sacramento Waldorf High School in Fair Oaks. Unlike most seniors who are frantically tr ying to prepare themselves for the transition to college, Kai is calm and composed as he contemplates his future. Kai says there is no anxiety — he’s been ready for this moment for a long time thanks to his Waldorf education, which began when he was in kindergar ten at Camellia Waldorf School. The SWHS approach is interdisciplinar y and practical, with realworld applications of concepts. Required classes are structured on a progressive, intensive block system, with in-depth courses changing ever y month. Student performance is assessed after ever y block of instruction with tests and written essay questions to prepare them for college. SWHS curriculum requires students to take classes in the core competencies of English, math, science, social studies, a foreign language, as well as four years of ar ts, crafts and music elective. Kai says that as a result, he’s learned about topics he would not have normally pursued. “I just took a class about Romantic poets,” Kai says. “I would have never chosen to take that class as an elective, but I’m glad I took it because I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot. Classes here can be ver y rigorous, but they introduce you to new ideas and challenge you in a good way.” Kai adds that teachers give the students oppor tunities to go in-depth with each lesson. For example, students in science class often conduct experiments before learning Kai Meyers will be a the principles. They’re taught senior next year at to analyze and come up with Sacramento Waldorf High School. their own hypotheses based on what they obser ve. Sacramento Waldorf High School Coordinator Sharon Caraccio says this educational approach allows students to immerse themselves in the subject. “One of the first things I noticed was that our students are so curious,” Caraccio says. “They want to know ever ything about what they’re learning and they’re motivated and engaged. I think that carries on with them to college. Our approach is to develop students with a multi-faceted understanding of complex issues and a global approach to learning.” Kai agrees and says he looks forward to going to college because of his experience at Sacramento Waldorf High School. “I’m used to having to think for myself, and because of that, I’m not afraid to learn and experience new things.”
www.camelliawaldorf.org | www.sacwaldorf.org
Photo by Anne Stokes
fami ly fin d s e d ucationa l communit y for their daughters at C ame l l ia Wa l d orf S choo l b y A m a n da C a r away
C uriosit y
Inspiring Lifelong Learners 3
Curriculum & Programs R e q u i r e d I n t e r d i s c i p l i n a ry C o r e S u b j e c t s
Photo by Anne Stokes
• Math, science, language arts, history, geography, Spanish • Music, choir, drama, strings, art, gardening, handwork, woodworking, movement and speech • Educational field trips • Community-building festivals & events • Students may participate in extracurricular activities such as crosscountry, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other outdoor activities.
Tyler is excited ever y morning about school. He wakes up with no difficulty. He packs his own lunch (which I’m quite pleased is a healthy one) and takes pride in preparing for school. When Ty comes home from school, he is excited about what he has learned and is happy to share the day’s events with us. He knows his classmates by name and has something complimentar y to say about each one. He has a favorable view of each of the teachers involved in his education. After only these last few days, he already seems more self-confident and more excited about the process of learning. The first day I picked him up from school, he said, “Mom, it’s like I’ve always been here. It’s like I finally found people like me.”
See videos at www.camelliawaldorf.org
L o c a l Wa l d o r f S c h o o l s Preschool • Elementary • Middle School 5701 Freepor t Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 427-5022 www.camelliawaldorf.org
I have a ver y happy child. She greets each day with enthusiasm and joy. When she first star ted school, I had her in a public school. This school tried to provide more than the normal math and reading and I was originally ver y pleased to find them. But, quickly I became concerned. My bright flower Carlynn was not thriving. I watched her become tense, anxious, scared and I hate to say it, dull. I already knew about Camellia Waldorf, but was unwilling to pay tuition. One night, I visited Camellia and listened to the future first grade teacher speak. That changed ever ything for our family. I enrolled Carlynn at Camellia and put her back in Kindergar ten. I watched her heal and become the joyous, happy child she was. I have never regretted our family decision. Carsynn C., Camellia parent
Admission at Camellia Waldorf School is rolling, so enrollment is possible throughout the school year. Deadline to apply to Sacramento Waldorf School is Jan. 31, 2014.
Where children blossom
W h at a r e p e o p l e s ay i n g a b o u t c a me l l i a Wa l d o r f sc h o o l ?
Developing tomorrow within today
Pre-K through 12th 3750 Bannister Road, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 860-2518 www.sacwaldorf.org
Chris & Jennifer H., Camellia parents I arrived in the United States at the age of 16 with my sister who was 17. We immediately entered the local high school which didn’t know what to do with two teenagers who didn’t speak English nor understand the culture. We were teased and shamed by peers, and mostly ignored by teachers for being different. But at Camellia, children are taught to appreciate different cultures and to value knowing a second language. In this setting, Alicia feels proud of having a mom who knows Spanish and she is always excited about the Spanish songs, poems and games that she has learned. Gracias de todo corazón, Camellia Waldorf, for helping me instill in Alicia a sense of joy and pride in the Latino culture! Sonia L., Camellia parent
6029 Gold Meadows Road, Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 642-9903 www.cedarspringsonline.com
Inspiring Intellect, Stimulating Imagination Since 1977
410 Crother Road, Meadow Vista, CA (530) 878-8720 www.liveoakwaldorf.org
9200 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 961-8727 www.steinercollege.edu
3100 Sycamore Lane, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 753-1651 www.daviswaldorf.org
The Camellia community has been a sanctuar y and an inspiration for us. We have seen a new coat of paint cover the school, gardens planted, bathrooms transformed – all done by loving and generous teachers and parents who have a common goal: providing the best environment we can for our children. When I hear my neighbors complain that their bright children are bored in school, even in the GATE program, I rejoice (to myself) that I’ve never heard Alex complain of boredom at school. Instead, he shares with us the new songs and stories he’s learned, interesting bits of nature from the kindergar ten yard, the lines he’s recited in a play. Lying in bed one night, Alex said, “My children are going to go to Camellia Waldorf.” I think we’ve made the right choice. Marci R., Camellia parent