FAQs
What is Waldorf education?
The aim of Waldorf education is to educate the whole child, “head, heart, and hands.” Founded by Rudolf Steiner over 100 years ago, Waldorf education is a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education where we aim to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities.
Drawing, painting, music, theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about, but must be experienced to awaken the student and enliven the lesson. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world.
Here are some helpful articles to give you more information:
Unique Aspects of Waldorf Education
Free Resource Library of Articles on Waldorf Homeschooling
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What is Main Lesson enrichment?
Main Lesson Enrichment is the academic cornerstone of each day at the Pod. The Main Lesson is planned around a theme that lasts from three to six weeks. This unique period gives students time for in-depth exploration of mathematics, sciences, language arts, and social studies. For example, in fourth grade, students will study Norse Mythology during Main Lesson time for about six weeks, then move on to Zoology.
The Main Lesson topics covered in each grade is consistent in Waldorf schools worldwide, and the topics are based on meeting the child’s academic, emotional, and spiritual needs at their current developmental stage. For example, in 7th grade, students are beginning to experience a heightened sense of their own individuality and identity. History Main Lessons in 7th grade cover the Renaissance and Age of Exploration, times in history that mirror the student’s own personal exploration into the world.
Our method of “going deep” into a topic for a period of time results in a more holistic approach to the information and ensures better absorption by the student. Textbooks and worksheets are rarely used. Instead, students create Main Lesson books that hold original writing, lab observations, maps, artwork, diagrams, timelines, and carefully rendered illustrations — true academic and artistic reflections of learning. Hands-on and experiential learning is another way to describe this method. These notebooks reflect the student’s comprehension and academic growth and can be used to evaluate the progress of each child.
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What does it mean that Waldorf curriculum is developmentally appropriate?
One of the main tenets of Waldorf education is that the curriculum is specifically created to meet the needs of the children at their specific age. Waldorf educators see child development in a unique way. It is focused on the child’s developing emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
Our Kindergarten curriculum is play-based, where stories, songs, poems, plays, arts and crafts support the child’s brain development, while heavy academics at this age may shift energy away from the brain’s forces that are not quite developed until 1st grade. Then in first grade, the student’s brain and body is optimally ready to begin formal academic instruction and it takes off from here on out when presented in a meaningful and engaging way.
Another example of developmentally appropriate curriculum is in the 9th grade classroom. Students at this age are on what some might call an emotional roller coaster! In 9th grade the Waldorf curriculum presents the student with Comedy and Tragedy in literature. This presentation of two extremes helps the child find emotional equilibrium this year. In 7th grade, we study the Age of Exploration — just when students at this age are beginning to step out into the world apart from the family. In 4th grade, the students are presented with Norse mythology as they wrestle with their own moral character and who they want to be. Each grade speaks to the inner life of the child as we create a space for them to grow into the lovely and gifted human beings they are.
Please read this article for more details about this perspective and the research behind it.
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Why do you celebrate Festivals and Seasons?
Our program is so much more than daily lessons, and these special festivals, or holidays, are integral to the rhythm of life and passing of the seasons. In celebrating seasonal holidays, the goal is to develop in the child (and adult) a sense of the rhythm of the seasons and the passage of time, and a sense that there is something bigger than himself. Our lives are seasonal as we go through ups and downs and it’s important for us to remember that seasons change and time passes so we are never in a “down season” forever. Celebrating the rhythm of the year helps us remember this truth.
Rudolf Steiner said, “The original idea of any sacred festival (or holiday) is to make the human being look upward from his dependence on earthly things to those things that transcend the Earth.”
Even more than that, though, we take these moments as opportunities to show gratitude both for the time we’ve been granted together, and anticipation of the gifts of time that lies ahead.
During classtime and as a community, we take time to prepare for or celebrate upcoming Festivals and Seasons. This will be a time for storytelling, art, crafting, literature, poetry, song, memories, and excitement. Examples of festivals or seasonal days include Halloween, Lantern Walk, Michaelmas, Candlemas, St. Nicholas Day, May Day, and more. We will work on crafts and art projects to further enhance your family celebrations at home. We will not focus on the religious aspects at school, but please make it your own at home in however works best for your family.
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What curriculum do you use?
We are registered with Earthschooling as a “charter” school and use their curriculum as our spine. We also give our teachers freedom to incorporate their own ideas and other Waldorf curricula too. We also incorporate a variety of classic literature, stories, and poetry.
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Do we have to use a Waldorf curriculum for the rest of the week?
No. Our weekly enrichment program is beneficial for any child, and we trust our parents to make the best decisions for the students. Ultimately, the parent is the overseer of the child’s education. If you would like to incorporate a full-time Waldorf curriculum for your child, we recommend our virtual classes: www.lotusandivy.com
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Does my child have to attend Lotus & Ivy Virtual classes to attend the pod?
No. While our virtual classes go hand-in-hand with our in-person enrichment programs, pod students are not required to take virtual classes. Our virtual classes offer Main Lesson, math, language arts, Spanish, and much more for grades K - 10.
Does my child have to attend all the days the pod meets?
No. Students have the flexibility to enroll for any one day or all days depending on their needs.
What is your admissions process?
We are available for any questions you have via email, phone, or Zoom. Reach out to us anytime to set up a time to talk at lotusandivypods@gmail.com.
To begin the admissions process, please fill out the enrollment form. We will follow up with you within five business days to confirm registration and provide you with next steps. If our Pod is in-session, we invite you to schedule a tour to visit.
Our class sizes are intentionally smaller, so we cannot hold your child’s seat in the class until you have paid the application fee.
Must my child attend the entire day?
Yes. Our day is carefully scheduled to allow for times of in-breath and out-breath and the intention is for each student to experience the full rhythm of the day.
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Do you have an attendance policy?
We do not require a formal attendance record. We realize that one of the joys of homeschooling is flexibility and the freedom to travel when it is best for your family. As a courtesy, if you are going to be absent, we ask that you let us know. As stated in the Tuition Policy section, your financial commitment is for the semester, independent of the number of days you physically attend.
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Do you have a sick policy?
Yes! We wish everyone optimal health, but we know illnesses sometimes occur. We ask that you join us in our desire to keep illness to a minimum.
If anyone in your household has been vomiting in the last 4 days, please do not bring your student to school until all vomiting has subsided in your home for 4 days.
If your student has had a fever in the last 48 hours, please do not bring them to school. Likewise, if they have an active cough or runny nose, please keep them at home.
We trust your judgement and ask that you be as careful as possible when it comes to spreading germs. We realize it can be very disappointing for the student to have to miss school when they only attend one day per week. It will likely happen to all of us. If you miss school due to an illness, the teachers will fill you in on what was missed and save any supplies for your student so you can make up the lessons at home.
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Do you have a dress code?
No, but we do a lot of artwork, movement, outdoor play, and gardening in all of our age groups so please wear clothes that can get dirty and allow unrestricted movement. Please dress your student(s) appropriately for the weather.
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When we enroll, what is the financial commitment?
Tuition may be paid in full each semester or in four-week increments. If tuition is being paid every four weeks, please note that if, for any reason, your child is unable to finish out the semester, you are still financially responsible for the full semester's tuition. We use your payment commitment to guarantee our teachers' salaries, rental contracts and liability insurance contract for the semester. Your submission of the online registration form is acceptance of this financial commitment.
We keep our class sizes small because we feel this creates a better environment for students and teachers. For this reason, we depend on each student’s tuition to cover our costs.
The Application fee and Spring Supply Fee are non-refundable, even if you decide not to attend Lotus & Ivy after registering. Our small classes fill up very quickly and we turn people away due to full classes. Your payment is a commitment to the best of your knowledge that your student will take that spot for the semester.
Tuition payments are due every four weeks. We ask for your help in paying your tuition promptly to avoid the need to track down payments.
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Can we schedule a time to visit the school prior to registering?
We will have an Open House event in August. During the school year, you may schedule a tour to visit. In the meantime, we are always available via email, phone, or Zoom.
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Do you have a Facebook group?
Yes. We use our private Facebook group to share photos from our day and make important announcements. Please join:
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Are you affiliated with a church or religion?
No. We are grateful for and respectful of the churches and synagogues that allow us to rent space from them.
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Does this mean my religion or beliefs might be condemned or challenged? Will my child be taught things that go against my religion or beliefs?
Absolutely not. We do not incorporate religion into our lessons, and many of our students and staff are religious. As parents, one of the reasons we homeschool is so that we can be the primary influence on our children at this age, and we respect the parents’ choice to be this. Everyone at our school will be valued and treated equally no matter what their beliefs are.
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What is your discipline policy?
We make every effort to practice restorative discipline versus consequential tactics. If a child is behaving out-of-sorts or disruptively, we work with the parent and child to help them feel more at ease, engaged, confident, and included. We do not use consequences, “time out”, isolation, or fear tactics. If a student is disrupting class, we ask the teacher to engage the assistance of one of our administrative staff so that we can help sort out the issue. We may call mom or dad if needed. In all cases, we want to work with you to help your child and build them up in confidence and self-esteem.
If there is a situation where we feel we do not have the resources to meet the needs of a student, we will be upfront about this with the child’s parents.
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Do you offer field trips?
Yes, we do offer various field trips throughout the year for our students and their families. We ask that parents help us in the planning process of these.
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Does my child need to bring lunch and snacks from home?
Yes. We do have snack and lunch times each day and all food must be brought from home. Please be sure to pack healthy lunches and snacks for your child. Having a protein at snack and lunch is very important, and we ask that you do not send any sugary snacks or sides. Candy is not allowed. We ask that water be the only drink that you provide. Sodas and juices are discouraged.
**For our Capital Region, NY Pod families - because of our partnership agreement with CONGREGATION AGUDAT ACHIM, we ask that no student bring any pork products and we have a no-food-sharing policy.
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What does my child need to bring to school each day?
Your child should bring a healthy lunch, a healthy snack, a water bottle (or two), and any lesson materials requested by the teacher for that day.
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When is tuition due?
The non-refundable once-per-year Enrollment Fee is due at the time of registration. This holds your student’s spot in the class and we cannot hold your child's spot in the class unless the Enrollment Fee is paid. It is likely that we have a full roster, so for this reason, we accept students on a first-come, first-serve basis based on registration and Enrollment Fee payment. Our breakdown of tuition and fees is available on our Admissions page.
If, for any reason, your child withdraws from our program, we cannot provide you with the curriculum. It is strictly licensed through Lotus & Ivy only.
You may pay tuition in full or in four-week installments.
Late payments are subject to a $25 late fee per student per day.
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2023/2024 Tuition Due Dates
Please click the links below for the tuition calendars: