Denver Waldorf High School Academics, Arts, and Athletics Panel
Preparing students for their next level
Wondering if The Denver Waldorf School is the right choice for high school? Sit down with some of our students and faculty during our online Q&A to discuss how the curriculum integrates academics, arts, and athletics in educating the whole student.
Date: February 11, 2021
Time: 12pm MST
Location: Online via Zoom
We will follow the presentation with a live Q&A. Please register to reserve a seat.
What You’ll Learn
Led by DWS High School Director Brie Kaiser, our faculty and students will answer common questions such as:
- What is Waldorf education and what classes does DWS offer?
- How does Waldorf education prepare students for university and beyond?
- What does a day at The Denver Waldorf High School look like?
About The Denver Waldorf High School
The Denver Waldorf High School offers a liberal arts education, consciously aimed to nurture and encourage adolescent ideals. The high school experience aims to balance the students’ academic needs with their longing to find meaning in the world.
Engaging Body, Intellect, and Emotion
At the start of each day, movement helps spark students’ circulation and bring them together. They then engage in a long, uninterrupted seminar (referred to as main lesson in elementary and middle school) to activate their minds, followed by music and elective classes to spark emotional expression. Music classes and elective courses promote the development of healthy emotional expression through creation.
High School Music
Regarding music, all high school students participate in chorus, with the option to participate in either music ensemble or orchestra until their senior year. Students new to DWS and who have not played their instrument before are strongly encouraged to take private lessons.
Hands-On Learning of Real-World Skills
Students apply what they’ve learned theoretically to scenarios in the real world. For example, a study of soil composition could be applied to a chemistry lesson on acids and bases, as well as a close reading of The Grapes of Wrath, and a course in black-and-white photography in which they learn to develop their own film.
Rhythm of Thinking, Feeling, and Willing
Our goal is to expose our high school students to academic wealth, and demonstrate to them that all knowledge is valuable to encourage their pursuit of wisdom throughout life.
The high school curriculum revisits themes and subjects periodically to strengthen functional knowledge. Students cultivate their ability to think critically, organize ideas and information, and clearly present thoughts through an academically challenging mix of math, English, humanities, physics, life sciences, chemistry, world language, practical, industrial and fine arts, chorus, orchestra, drama, and physical education.
About The Denver Waldorf School
The Denver Waldorf School is an urban pre-K through 12 independent school in Colorado. Founded in 1974 on Rudolf Steiner’s humanitarian curriculum, DWS believes education should foster what it is to be human, cultivate lifelong curiosity, and inspire a love for the world. We are currently enrolling for in-person learning:
Want to learn more about us? Schedule an in-person tour of our Denver campus or join us online during our virtual events.
Faraway Family and Friends' Days
Our event is back! Last November, we had to pause Faraway Family and Friends’ Days after quickly going remote. So we are exciting to catch all the classes we missed last round. Please note, this virtual event is in lieu of Grand People’s Day, and is open to all current families and extended families of The Denver Waldorf School. Each class will offer a short meetup so students can show you what they have been up to!
Date: February 11, 2021
Time: Varies by class (see below)
Location: Online via Zoom
Please scroll down to register using the form on this page, and we will send you login details. For families with more than one student, please check all grades that apply (versus registering more than once). If you already registered back in November, no need to register again. Reminder emails and registration links will go out on Saturday February 6, and Wednesday February 10.
Schedule
Last November, we were able to capture 1st and 3rd grades and our full high school. This round, we will showcase:
- 2nd Grade with Alexa Krakauskas — 1:45-2pm
- 4th Grade with Magally Luna — 9:45-10am
- 5th Grade with Charlie Orphanides — 10:45-11am
- 6th Grade with Ben Reynolds — 9:15-9:30am
- 7th Grade with Keenan Hand — 2:30-3:10pm
- 8th Grade with Vernon Dewey — 10:15-10:30am
Register to join us online!
Denver Waldorf High School Roundtable: College Admissions and Gap Year
Welcome to DWS High School Roundtable!
On the ‘Table this month, we are discussing the changing landscape of college after Covid-19, the latest in the admissions process, and what it looks like to take a gap year. All parents and students of The Denver Waldorf School are welcome to pull up a chair!
Date: February 5, 2021
Time: 4pm MST
Location: Online via Zoom
Please register to reserve a seat.
What You’ll Learn
Denver Waldorf High School Director Brie Kaiser will be joined by Independent Educational Counselor Carolyn Francis, Sarah Boyer, Mike McHenry, and Kimberly Martin to answer common questions on:
- The post-Covid college admissions process
- Taking a gap year
- Test-optional universities
- And more!
About the High School Roundtable
The High School Roundtable is a monthly webinar series serving DWS families. The aim is to bring guidance on navigating high school to the table.
Denver Waldorf High School Roundtable: College Admissions and Gap Year
Welcome to DWS High School Roundtable!
On the ‘Table this month, we are discussing the changing landscape of college after Covid-19, the latest in the admissions process, and what it looks like to take a gap year. All parents and students of The Denver Waldorf School are welcome to pull up a chair!
Date: February 5, 2021
Time: 4pm MST
Location: Online via Zoom
Please register to reserve a seat.
What You’ll Learn
Denver Waldorf High School Director Brie Kaiser will be joined by Independent Educational Counselor Carolyn Francis and DWS faculty and staff members Sarah Boyer, Mike McHenry, and Kimberly Martin to answer common questions on:
- The post-Covid college admissions process
- Taking a gap year
- Test-optional universities
- And more!
About the High School Roundtable
The High School Roundtable is a monthly webinar series serving DWS families. The aim is to bring guidance on navigating high school to the table.
PreACT Test for DWS High School Students
PreACT Test for 10th and 11th Grade DWS Students
Denver Waldorf High School students in 10th and 11th grade may take the PreACT onsite at our school. Students must register by February 10 to reserve a spot
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Time: 9am MST
Location: DWS
Cost: $13*
*Please make checks payable to The Denver Waldorf School, and submit to Mr. McHenry.
What to Bring on Test Day
Students MUST bring their own calculator and wear a mask. On the day of the test, students must also submit a health screen and have their temperature taken.
PreACT Test for DWS High School Students
PreACT Test for 10th and 11th Grade DWS Students
Denver Waldorf High School students in 10th and 11th grade may take the PreACT onsite at our school. Students must register by February 10 to reserve a spot
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Time: 9am MST
Location: DWS
Cost: $13*
*Please make checks payable to The Denver Waldorf School, and submit to Mr. McHenry.
What to Bring on Test Day
Students MUST bring their own calculator and wear a mask. On the day of the test, students must also submit a health screen and have their temperature taken.
The Denver Waldorf School Happenings- January 2021
The Denver Waldorf School is a k-12 independent school in Denver, Colorado
First Grade Readiness and Assessments
If you missed our live Q&A on first grade readiness and assessments, please watch the recording below. Led by faculty members Nancy Blanning and Jessie Cartwright, this presentation gives prospective families a feel for what lies at the heart of Waldorf education.
First Grade Q&A on January 20, 2021
First grade is a child’s introduction to the collective being of a class. We nurture a deep reverence for the earth, compassion for classmates, and a healthy respect for every living thing. From knitting to numbers, fairy tales to falling leaves, we help first graders discover the wonders of our world and understand the rhythm of life. This year is the beginning of a multi-year relationship with their teacher.
Enrollment & In-Person Tours
The Denver Waldorf School is a Denver-based independent school that is currently enrolling preschool through high school students. Schedule an in-person tour to learn more on our curriculum, admissions process, financial aid, and more.
Parent Council Meeting: January 2021
For our first meeting of the new year, the DWS Parent Council was joined by School Counselor Jenny Thompson to discuss mental health through Covid-19 for both students and parents. Her presentation covered:
- Mental health trends she’s seeing related to how COVID is affecting children
- Tips to parents about how we can be one step ahead of these problems
- Ways parents might engage in self care.
Following the mental health presentation and live Q&A, parents broke out into smaller groups by their children’s ages. Scroll down to watch the recorded meeting and presentation. Or visit Jenny’s Corner to access tips for parents and students, mental health resources, and more!
Resources for Talking About Racism
We also want to share some resources from the Center for Racial Justice in Education for talking with kids about race, racism, and racialized violence.
Meeting Minutes
Click the button below to download the minutes from the January 2021 Parent Council meeting.
Recorded PC Meeting and Mental Health Presentation
Accreditation Discussion with School Director Kelly Church
We would also like to share a discussion on independent school accreditation with Kelly Church from a Parent Council meeting held last Spring.
Waldorf Group Meditation Practice
Please enjoy the recordings of our monthly Group Meditation Practice led by Dr. Adam Blanning of the Denver Center For Anthroposophic Therapies.
For full details and dates, please visit the Group Meditation Practice event page.
Group Meditation Practice on January 6, 2021
Group Meditation Practice on February 3, 2021
Group Meditation Practice on March 3, 2021
Group Meditation Practice on April 7, 2021
Group Meditation Practice on May 12, 2021
Group Meditation Practice on June 9, 2021