Nurturing What it Means to be Human

Waldorf Alumni

January 27, 2023High School

As we look forward to welcoming back some DWS alumni for our panel happening on Wednesday,
February 15 at 9:00am, we asked DWS Next Steps Coach Laura Shope to share more about Waldorf alumni.
Read her insights below and be sure to join us on February 15th for coffee at 8:15am followed by the alumni panel!

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People often wonder about where Waldorf graduates go and what they do after graduation. Or perhaps,
the underlying question is, “Will my student have the best opportunities available to them if they attend
a Waldorf high school?” As an alumni parent, trained Waldorf teacher, and as the Next Steps coach at
The Denver Waldorf School, I can say absolutely, yes! And perhaps even more…

Waldorf alumni are often described as standing out in their future work experiences or in college. There
is an anecdote that I have heard validated time and time again about professors in colleges noticing a
distinct difference in our students, asking where they went to high school, and upon hearing a Waldorf
high school, responding with an all-knowing, “Ah, yes, that makes sense.” On the Waldorf Education
website, this idea is validated:

“Professors in various academic disciplines and in a wide range of colleges and universities who have
had Waldorf graduates as students…note that Waldorf graduates have the ability to integrate thinking,
to assimilate information as opposed to memorizing isolated facts, are willing to take intellectual risks,
and are leaders who take initiative.” (Waldorf Education, 2022)

Waldorf graduates are often described as visionaries and as having developed a sense of balance in life.
They are adaptable, have patience, and are collaborative in nature. Waldorf alumni are also reported to
have more ease with creating relationships with professors in college as they are accustomed to
discussion and having a close relationship with their teachers in high school. These qualities stand out as
something different and valuable as our alumni move into various roles in their lives after high school.

Sometimes there is also a myth that Waldorf schools are just "art" schools, or that perhaps the education is
not as serious as other options. Our high school curriculum is an integrated liberal arts curriculum that
includes the arts, but even more so emphasizes the sciences, mathematics, history and English. What’s
unique is that all the students participate in the whole curriculum, and, therefore, are exposed to many
subjects deeply.

In my experience at two Waldorf high schools, about half of our graduates go on to
study humanities and social science, including a few who dedicate themselves directly to the arts. The
other half go into science and math fields. According the data gathered from over 1000 Waldorf
graduates in North America, about 45% of Waldorf alumni pursue arts/humanities/social science,
another 45% pursue STEM majors with the remaining choosing business, health or education.*

As part of our Next Steps program at DWS, students are guided to identify their interests and the
possible pathways forward with the intent that they feel confident about their choices even if it’s not all
clear yet. Our students start researching careers in ninth grade and the pathways required for different
options in tenth. During eleventh grade, students start a more individualized process around their own
skills and interests, develop skills related to applying to jobs, programs and colleges, and have a
wonderful opportunity to "try on" an experience during a two-week "internship" at the end of the year.
Senior year is all about the implementation of their individual plans.

At DWS, almost all our graduates head off to college. Of those who choose a different path other than college,
recently some have chosen training for a specific trade or getting work experience before choosing
a path. Some of our students choose to attend community college first, and then transfer to a four-year
college or earn an associate’s degree. And more recently, an increasing number of students are choosing
to take a gap year before going on to college to travel, volunteer, earn money, or deepen their learning
about an area of interest. Nationwide, this trend is growing and about 25% of Waldorf graduates report
taking a gap year before attending college.* Our college-bound graduates are pleased with the options
they have to choose from, receive large merit-aid awards, and are well-prepared for success in their new
learning institutions.

Time and time again, Waldorf alumni, whether through research, alumni panels, social media posts, or
in direct conversations, cite their Waldorf education as uniquely preparing them for their futures, and often,
especially crediting their participation in the arts or the integrated curriculum as being an
important factor. (Safit, et. all, 2020)

Our students are not just prepared for college — they are prepared to make meaningful and deep contributions
to the world, well beyond their first job. Their Waldorf education is the first step in this journey. In a world that
will change many times over after they graduate, our students build a solid foundation to meet the challenges
and opportunities for all of their days ahead.

References and Additional Resources

*Into the World: How Waldorf Graduates Fare after High School
Safit, I., Gerwin, D., Stokes, C., & Starzynski, A. (2020). Into the World: How Waldorf Graduates Fare after
High School. Waldorf Publications.

Lamboy, J. (Host). (2021, October 26). A conversation with alumni [Audio podcast episode]. In The
Denver Waldorf School Podcast. Spotify.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3z2RFEypDisJVKeT334NOG

by [email protected]

Understanding the New Test-Optional Admissions Environment

November 28, 2022High School

Do you remember studying for and taking your SAT or ACT tests? Or maybe you even took both?? Do
you believe this is your student’s ‘ticket’ to college? The college admissions landscape has completely
shifted over the past three years, and decisions about test requirements will continue to evolve over the
next few years as well.

Even prior to the pandemic, many colleges and universities were downplaying the role of test scores in
their admissions process. Selective and highly selective colleges and universities were using the test
score more as ‘validation’ for a student’s transcript – did it confirm the message coming through the
transcript? Many admissions counselors reported that if the transcript was good, the test score only
verified that, but that a lower test score didn’t necessarily reduce a student’s chance of being admitted.

As a result of access issues during the pandemic (test site closures, school closures, etc.), the vast
majority of colleges and universities declared admissions would be 'test-optional' as a way to de-stress
the students who were preparing applications. If a student had access to testing, and felt their score
represented them well, they could include it as part of their application. If they did not include a test
score, their application was reviewed without it, and not penalized in any way. Some colleges and
universities took this opportunity to change policies for good. Others have taken a year-by-year
approach. And some have committed to it for at least five years, so they can assess the data as these students
move through their programs, before making a final decision. A small handful of colleges were already
test-optional, or test-blind (meaning they won’t look at test scores even if they are submitted).

As such, our students now have MANY more, and wonderful, options for higher education to choose
from which do not require test scores as part of the application process. This currently includes all public
universities in the state of Colorado after a bill was passed in 2021 to remove the requirement. So,
should they prepare for and take a test at all?

While the admissions process has shifted in this direction, there are still many scholarship opportunities
that DO require a test score. Also, there are a few states (Florida, for example), and specific colleges and
universities that still require a test score for admission (like MIT, for example).

In the US, every college and university that accepts test scores accepts either the SAT or the ACT. There
is no longer a need for students to prepare for both - they are different enough from each other that
preparation for one does not equal preparation for both. Additionally, the SAT has announced that
starting in March 2024, the SAT will only be offered in a digital format. It is said to be simpler, take less
time and adapt to the student taking the test, resulting in a score that is comparable to the current
version. This means that our current ninth and tenth grade students who take the SAT their junior year
will take the digital version. And next year’s PSAT will also be digital.

Usually, our recommendation at DWS is that students try both a practice SAT and ACT to see if one feels
more ‘natural’ to them. And then, choose either ACT or SAT, and prepare for that test. International
students usually need the SAT, and some majors, like engineering, prefer the SAT. Otherwise, students
really do have a choice. And now that choice includes whether to take a test at all.

As a family, it is important to weigh the investment of time and energy (and perhaps money) in
preparation with the potential outcome. For many more students than ever before, this results in a
decision not to take either test (especially for those students who are negatively impacted in a test
environment). Some students choose to take one to see how they do, and keep options open, but may
choose to not submit scores to individual colleges. Others who do well on this type of exam do take it,
and in some situations, it opens additional doors for them.

If your student opts to take either the ACT or SAT, we recommend they prepare during their junior year,
and take their first attempt in the spring of junior year. If they are happy with their score, they can be
done at that time. Most of our students who opt to take SAT or ACT will continue to prepare after the
first sitting and take it again during the summer or early fall. Experience has shown that scores do not
improve much after the third attempt. Most students are motivated by their first score to prepare
differently and improve their score the second sitting. Remember that these tests are designed to be
taken at the end of their junior year.

If you have questions, or would like to discuss your student’s individual situation, please reach out to
Laura Shope, our Next Steps Counselor, who can help you understand the considerations as you make
your final decision. The bottom line is that the role of standardized tests in college admissions is shifting,
and now students have more options than ever before.

by [email protected]