Woodland Star Charter School is an independent TK-8 charter school in Glen Ellen, California, founded in 2000 by parents and teachers. Embracing Waldorf pedagogy, Woodland Star considers the whole child in every lesson, framing rigorous academics with an artistic, creative, and multi-sensory approach. Our teachers honor the developmental needs of the child and use developmentally appropriate content in their teaching.

Our play-based Kindergarten resists the cultural imperative for “more-better-faster,” allowing young children to enjoy the wonder of childhood through imaginative play, while also addressing language development and phonology through the consistent telling of daily stories. The rich language work in the kindergarten lays the foundation for the structured literacy work that begins in the grades. Each morning Kindergartners begin the day with movement, allowing children to improve their gross motor skills and  sense of balance, a necessary skill for formal learning.  Fine motor skills are developed by craft activities, painting, and drawing to name a few.

In the grades, the Woodland Star curriculum covers an exceptional range of cultures and histories as well as sciences and math. Core subjects are taught in three- to four-week-long morning Main Lesson blocks, immersing the students in language arts, math, science, geography, and history. Concepts are interwoven throughout the curriculum and are taught through oral presentations, writing, reading, recitation, drama, painting, drawing, and movement. This multi-sensory approach engages students in a powerful and concentrated experience and promotes active listening, increased memory, imagination, and vocabulary.  In addition to the Main Lesson there are dedicated daily classes to support both ELA  and math skills. As part of the artistic and kinesthetic approach to learning, students engage in singing, flute playing, painting, drawing, and modeling. In grades 1-5 teachers are trained in the Science of Reading and embrace a systematic, sequential, and explicit approach to teaching reading. Enrichment subjects, often taught by specialty teachers, include Spanish, knitting, sewing, farming and gardening, and physical education. The Woodland Star faculty members are California credentialed, trained in Waldorf pedagogy, and identify as learners themselves. Woodland Star parents are encouraged to play an active role in the school as committed and involved partners in their children’s education and school life.