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January 2024 by T I.
Marin Waldorf has been an incredible experience for my children. We joined Marin Waldorf in preschool and my children have excelled in early childhood classes. My oldest is in kindergarten and has gained so much confidence, curiosity and eagerness to learn. The care and guidance provided by the early childhood teachers and staff is phenomenal. The teachers' guidance and care is individualized to fit my children's needs. I am amazed by the bonds that have been created and nurtured by the teachers, staff, community and students. The Marin Waldorf community is welcoming, supportive, and fun. I'm excited to see my children continue to thrive at Marin Waldorf.
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November 2023 by Andrew C.
my children attended this school for a short period but we pulled them out for several reasons. The staff seem nice but they are not qualified to evaluate children who may need to be referred for services. They seem to discriminate against families and target new families who they feel may not be very "waldorfian". Majority of the kids enrolled are also enrolled in sports and after school programs and possibly exposed to media and video games. However, teachers seem to ignore those families and only target newbies. it was very stressful for our family. Save your money and find a better school!
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May 2023 by Casey J.
Zero diversity and any diverse population that comes quickly leaves for good reason. Ask the admissions folks about the teacher retention rate and the student retention rate. Terrible with emotional social learning, bullying abound, administration is the most inept I have ever come across, curriculum is not progressive in any way. Covid policies are atrocious, it was an absolute nightmare.
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October 2021 by Holly P.
To accurately review Marin Waldorf School, you need to know specifically about Waldorf education. Waldorf schools are not just a regular private school. They have a educational and also lifestyle philosophy that goes with it. Waldorf schools hold tightly to core values of well-rounded learning and continues thru times of COVID. Along with all the typical subjects, Waldorf education places a high emphasis on music, dance, theater, hiking, being outdoors, class camping trips, painting, knitting, crocheting, gardening, woodworking, cooking are all very apparent in the weekly subjects. There is also a general concept of simplicity, healthy habits/eating, movement, independence/grit and strong parent community involvement. I have had my 2 boys in Waldorf education (both in Marin and San Francisco) for a total of 5 years and 2 years at a public charter school. Specifically, Marin Waldorf impressed me before COVID but more so during COVID. They were very organized with regular zoom meetings for parents during the planning stages over the summer of 2020. They listened and worked with health officials on how to open the school safely (and stay open!) and were ready to go on day 1 of the fall of 2020. No distance learning except when was mandated by the state. Outdoor classrooms were built (much by the children), handwashing stations, stable cohorts were made. When distance learning was miserable for our older son, we quickly moved into the 2nd grade with no issue. At MWS, the math was more difficult than public school and the teacher wrote problems that challenged each student. One main aspect I love about MWS is high emphasis on quality. Handwriting journals are pristine; crafts are made with soft, long lasting materials; snacks are made/baked/cooked in the classroom by the children; holidays and birthdays celebrated in a rich, memory-making way; field trips are with purpose and an extension of classroom lessons; and last but not least, high quality teachers and staff. Last week, my 3rd grade child cut grapes off vines growing in their outdoor classroom, crushed the grapes with their *washed* feet, and boiled it into grape juice to drink on Friday celebrations. I had my first experience doing this when I was 30 years old and my son gets to do it when he's 8. My kindergartner knows the days of the week based on the snack he makes and is asking me to put him in the last pickup for aftercare because he wants to stay longer. As you can tell, we really love Marin Waldorf and feel connected to the community and philosophy. My kids are eager to go to school everyday, learning is woven into activities and I'm hopeful it will build happy and content young adults.
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October 2021 by Tia H.
4 years in and we couldn't be happier with every aspect of Marin Waldorf. My son has truly blossomed and thrived here and loves going to school every day. The teachers, staff, campus, and philosophy are all truly exceptional and have perfectly seen, supported, and enriched my son at every stage of development. His preschool and kindergarten experiences have been wonderfully nurturing, magical, low stress, imaginative, and joyful. As he approaches 1st grade I am appreciating the incredible thoughtfulness and skill with which his teachers are preparing him with just the right amount of stretch. I am continually amazed at the level of intention, thought, experience, research, and skill with which the Waldorf curriculum is implemented here. With 50 years of experience and a deep commitment to self reflection and adapting to the current needs of students, Marin Waldorf truly is the gold standard of Waldorf education. I feel very confident that this education is providing my son with not only all the intellectual development and skills to allow him to be successful academically, but also to be a full human being.
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September 2021 by Luisa F.
My oldest child has been at Marin Waldorf since she was 3. She's 6 now. My 4 year old is starting her second year. This is more than a learning institution. This is a educational home base. Marin Waldorf is a community that supports its students by teaching them by example. In the younger grades it's all about doing. They cook. They clean. They hike. They tell stories. They are giving the children a warm place to feel safe and seen and supported. The teachers are all gentle but clear with intentions. Our family cannot imagine getting through the pandemic without Marin Waldorf!
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September 2021 by Talita J.
Don't put your kid in this school. READ the contract. They will not give your money back if for any reason you need to take your child out. If you move, or get sick, or even die!! You still have to pay for the whole year!!
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February 2021 by Birdie L.
Im not a person who reviews things at all on yelp but for some reason decided to do this because without having gone to this school I'd probably be a very different person right now. I'm currently in my late twenties, and attended Marin Waldorf school 1st through 5th grade. I would love to send my kids here some day if I end up in the bay area. I attribute all of my creativity, openness and confidence in myself to this curriculum, and I'm so grateful now that my parents pulled me out of the public school system to attend. I learned to embrace individuality at a young age, and that will always stick with me. Send your kids here; those formative years spent exploring their own personalities will have a huge impact on their stability and happiness later in life. Also it was really fun, nothing but happy memories here.
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January 2018 by joanne engebrecht
A.MAZING!! I can't recommend Marin Waldorf School enough. Not only is my first grader excited to go to school everyday but he is getting an amazing and unique education. If he's not rattling off multiplication or division equations he's singing in Mandarin. He also loves his art and music classes. It's such a well rounded education. He has great friends in all different grades because the children feel so close to each other. And the sense of community helps us all feel connected.
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January 2018 by Stephan Nobs
If you live in Marin you have to consider Marin Waldorf School. It's the complete package that is to love. Of course the unique Waldorf school concept and philosophy which is more relevant than ever in today's world that puts our kids into the best position to thrive in their live and become complete human beings able to adapt to our changing world. But then also look beyond this. The teachers and staff create a truly heart warming community and the beautiful huge campus with its own organic vegetable and fruit orchard is just amazing.
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January 2018 by BG Weiss
Waldorf education is the fastest growing educational model in the country for a reason. These guys insulate the young kids from social media stress, and they modulate homework to keep the kids sane. A wonderful experience that creates wonderfully successful young adults.
