About Us
The Denver Waldorf School guides children to become original thinkers, creative innovators, and compassionate world citizens.
A unique urban school with access to open space in nearby Harvard Gulch Park, DWS offers an academically rigorous education grounded in hands-on learning and experiential exploration through the integration of music, movement, and the arts.
Our Mission
Founded on Rudolf Steiner’s humanitarian curriculum, The Denver Waldorf School awakens and inspires students’ critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and artistic expression, preparing them to bring relevant contributions to the world.
Truth, beauty & goodnessSocial renewalOrganizational integrity
Our Values
The Denver Waldorf School values the development of the whole human being and provides educational opportunities through the understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s humanitarian curriculum, which is informed by the spiritual philosophy of Anthroposophy and encourages the practice of engaging the thinking, feeling, and willing aspects of the human being.
At The Denver Waldorf School, education is a lifelong process for students, parents, faculty, and staff, alike.
Truth, beauty, and goodness
Truth, beauty, and goodness encompass a collection of values that foster a healthy emotional and intellectual life.
- Educating the whole human being
- Analytical, creative, and flexible thinking
- Rigorous academics
- Comprehensive artistic experiences
- Kindness and compassion
- Gratitude and reverence
- Humor and play
- Wonder and innocence
Social renewal
Social renewal manifests itself through our actions. Waldorf education provides a healing element to the world through:
- Service to others
- Stewardship of earth and healthy living
- Working in partnership with greater community
- Valuing inclusivity and diversity
- Recognizing and having an interest in others
Organizational integrity
Organizational integrity requires us to be thoughtful in the way we organize and run our school.
- Transparent processes
- Decision-making by consensus
- Commitment to consensual decisions
- Governing bodies, mandated committees, and volunteers working in partnership
- Professionalism and congeniality
- Ongoing community education and communication
Our Vision
We strive to provide a beautiful, cohesive campus that radiates learning, working, and playing while attracting and expanding full and diverse enrollment supported by abundant resources. We enthusiastically work and serve in the world community as stewards of social renewal.
To further our vision, we aim for . . .
- A beautiful, welcoming campus reflective of our unique curriculum
- Full enrollment with increased diversity among students, faculty, and staff
- Abundant resources, including economic resources, community partnerships, and volunteerism
- Being ambassadors for Waldorf education both in Denver and in the world
- Being recognized as a community partner, showing commitment to environmental sustainability and social renewal
History of The Denver Waldorf School
The Denver Waldorf School was founded in 1974 as the first Waldorf school in Colorado. In 1977, having grown significantly from its humble beginnings, the school found a permanent home in an old school building where it remained for 26 years. DWS continued to grow and serve more students, and in 1995 the high school was added. In the summer of 2014, The Denver Waldorf School moved to its current location on Pennsylvania St. The building offered much opportunity for growth and the location was a unique juxtaposition, being centrally located in an urban city with easy access to nearly 80 acres of open space in Harvard Gulch.
Welcoming campusDiverse communityEnvironmental sustainabilitySocial renewal