High School Admissions for DWS Students
Transitioning from 8th grade to high school is an exciting time! Please review this page for details as students begin to embark on this new journey.
Developing Character in High School
Important Dates
Please mark the following in your calendar, and scroll down for full details on each.
- October 8th—Due date for teacher/mentor recommendations requests for the Blue Scholarship
- October 12th—Experience Waldorf, high school experiential morning for 8th grade families
- October 22nd—Due date for Blue Scholarship application
- November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th—Student Shadow Days; details coming on October 25th
- November 5th—Due date for Student Portfolios
- November 10th—Senior Lunch, a student Q&A with the graduating class
- November 11th—Experience Waldorf, high school experiential morning for 8th grade families
- November 12th—Due date for High School Student Questionnaire
- November 18th, 19th, 20th—Fall family/teacher conferences and high school interviews
- Early January—Acceptances announced via email
Truth, beauty & goodnessSocial renewalOrganizational integrity
Step Inside The Denver Waldorf High School
We encourage 8th graders to explore what it’s like to be a student at The Denver Waldorf High School through experiential mornings and shadow days.
Shadow Days
During the first week in November, 8th graders will experience two full days in the high school (including an elective day). More details to come in late October.
Experience Waldorf
Journey into The Denver Waldorf High School for a morning where you’ll experience a taste of our curriculum, and begin understanding how it integrates academics, arts, and athletics in educating the whole student. Our 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.
Blue Scholarship
The Denver Waldorf School Blue Scholarship recognizes excellence in academics, art, and/or athletics through financial support for rising 9th grade students. 8th grade students interested in this merit-based scholarship should:
- Submit a recommendation request to teachers and mentors by October 8th.
- Submit a completed Blue Scholarship application by October 22nd.
Learn more about all scholarships offered by DWS.
8th Grade Portfolio
During their 8th grade year, all Denver Waldorf students create an 8th Grade Portfolio to showcase highlights of their education as they begin applying for high school. Students submit these to Mr. Hand by November 5th, and faculty and staff review each prior to the fall family-teacher conferences.
High School Student Questionnaire
Admissions Manager Brooke Camfield will email the High School Student Questionnaire on October 4th to students. You can also find this questionnaire online in the Forms section of the PlusPortals. This is required for all students applying to The Denver Waldorf High School.
Conferences & Interviews
High school faculty and/or staff members join Mr. Hand during the fall family/teacher conferences and the 8th grade families and students after reviewing the 8th Grade Portfolio and High School Questionnaire. During these interviews, families are also made aware of their Blue Scholarship award status.
College Nights
Each DWS student works in tandem with College and Post-Secondary Guidance Counselor Laura Shope. She also offers a 6-month College Nights series for families as they begin navigating the college admissions process. Parents of middle and high school parents are welcome to attend as she covers:
- October 7th—Application Process 101
- November 4—SAT and ACT
- December—No meeting
- January 6—Supporting Your Student through the Process
- February 3—Paying for College
- March 3—Making Choices
- April 21—College Engagement and Success
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Why Attend The Denver Waldorf High School
The benefits of attending The Denver Waldorf High School include:
- Small classes (capped at 25)—Strong teacher-student relationships and a tight-knit community
- Elective and STEAM classes—Integration of grades 9 through 12
- Students-led initiatives—Social clubs and advocacy and service projects
- Community service—Each class graduates with more than 10,000 high school service hours
- Service trips—Plus Senior Trip which have included venturing to Costa Rica, Alaska, Germany, Peru, and Utah
- Continuation of arts—Fine, visual, performing, and industrial (theater, welding, mosaics, stained glass, printmaking, filmmaking, and more)
- International exchange available to all 10th and 11th grade students in countries such as Peru, South Africa, France, Australia
- Continuation of hands-on learning of real-world skills (versus rote learning)
- Two-tiered math curriculum, the first ending in statistics, the second ending in calculus
- Deep dive into four areas of sciences (physics, chemistry, life sciences, and earth sciences), including a wide range of classes such as electromagnetism, atomic chemistry, embryology, and climatology
- Academic wealth—all academics are honors-level classes (math, science, humanities) including a robust offering of electives and STEAM courses such as web design, app development, jewelry making, 3D printing, mock trials, and more
- Continued development of critical thinking skills to navigate the world, analyze, and problem solve
- Opportunity to participate in volleyball, basketball, cross country, and ultimate frisbee (Half of our high school students participate in athletics!)
- Culturally diverse student population