Friday, May 11, 2012

Olympia Waldorf School Reviews by Parents and Students

http://www.greatschools.org/washington/east-olympia/2594-Olympia-Waldorf-School/

Posted May 5, 2008
This school will love you as long as you keep your pocketbook open and your questions to yourself. Or if you're on scholarship, then they can pat themselves on the back and believe that they are really 'making a difference' in the life of a child and the community. There is no accountibilty, many of the goings-on of the school are done in a secretive underhanded manner. The school has a sullied reputation and does not attract top applicants, mostly they have no choice in who they hire, they hire the only poor soul who applies. There are children there who's needs can't be met, educationaly and behaviorly, but rather than say so and loose the tuition, issues are swept under the rug. These children take time and effort away from the rest of the class. After years at OWS, my children are thriving in public school.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted April 24, 2008
The 'pretty package' that first draws you in is very decieving. It's an easy place to fall in love with! The underlying dysfunction is overwhelming. There's a huge lack of supervision on the playground that leads to accidents and bullying. Some teachers seem disgruntled by the pay and despite their best efforts, it shows. Parents are asked and asked for money and it seems to go into the same black hole over and over. The best 'they' can do to keep you enrolled is to keep you in fear about what your children might face in the dreaded Public School System. Waldorf Education is lovely and it makes alot of sense.....this particular school just falls way short.  —Submitted by a parent

I did not like this school, my child was subject to bullying by children and the teachers supported it. My child also got very far behind academically and has had to have a lot of tutoring ot catch up. What is really upsetting is that the 'Waldorf method' gets children behind and then they are sort of stuck there. I did not like the lack of accountability that the school did. A poor choice for our family and I wasted a lot of money and time thinking it was such a pretty education. I wish I had been more cautious. My experience is that the community is very clicky and it is very hard on adults and children. My child had a very disagreeable experience with the teacher and it was very sad to see the teacher degrade my child's self esteem. Also, the curriculum is very cultish.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted September 18, 2007
I choose this school because of the research I have done on education. Unfortunately, the school does not conform to the principles it portorts to hold. Many of the teachers do not have an actual teaching certificate or any university certificated education in child develop as it relates to education. My child's specific teacher had no accountability and was not even aware that my son was not doing any of the work. At the end of 2nd grade he still did not know any of his vowel sounds. Since he has left, his self esteem has rebounded and he is doing so much better.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted April 23, 2007

As a former student, I have to say that I will never have my child attend this school when I have a child. When I left the school to attend public high school, I was shocked. I had never had my teacher give me consequences for not handing in my work and suddenly the teachers expected me to do the work and do it on time. I was so lost and behind the other kids. I had alot to learn once I left OWS. I will never make my child go through that!  —Submitted by a former student

Posted April 19, 2007

My child attended Olympia Waldorf School for 5 years. In that time we had some good experiences but also many poor experiences. There seemed to be very little communication between teachers and parents except ways to give time or money to the school. The kindergarten is very nuturing and gentle which is why we chose this school.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted April 19, 2007
We tried and tried to make this school work as we had vision of what a Waldorf school could be. But after 5 years, we could not take anymore. There are serious issues with accountability. Now my son is struggling to make up all that he should have gotten in those first years. I really feel that I let him down as a mother by having him go to this school.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted April 2, 2007
A horrible place that seems to promote the status quo. I am so sorry we restructured our lives and moved, bought a house, left good jobs to have our son go to a school that seemed better than it is.
—Submitted by a parent

Posted December 23, 2006
Found that there was some catering to those who had more money, there was some problem with one of the teachers and it seemed that it was not really dealt with. Feel that that teacher dragged down the whole school, Many children dropped out of his class and left the school. Felt that there are too many cliques in the school that get in the way of what a Waldorf school should be. Certain teacher should practice what he preaches in the school. Other teachers did very well only wished my child could have had them for teachers because of their positive attitude.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted August 20, 2006
The academics for the children are behind for even basic success in a 'school' environment, security of the children while in school and on the playground was seriously dismissed, and we found that 'the community' has a hard time excepting and communicating with the new parents and students...
—Submitted by a former student

Posted July 3, 2006
I would say it is a waste of money and seriously lacking in accountability and respect for children and adults. I do not recommend this school and suggest you find a real Waldorf school somewhere else as they are not a real Waldorf school.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted June 28, 2006
I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of accountability for academics and the way the teacher's are allowed to be emotionally and verbally abrasive. A disappointing and expensive experience. The administration was not effective in managing any conflict and there was not any accountability about teacher conduct or lack of.  —Submitted by a parent

Posted May 29, 2006
My child regressed while attending school here. When I brought it up with the teacher he did not address it. Disipline is rather old school. There is little supervision on the playground. Lastly, the parent community is rather exclusive in many ways. I found that it was neccessary for new parents to prove themselves in some way to attain the status of 'part of the community.'  —Submitted by a parent

Posted September 30, 2004
This school is a joke. Can I give 0's. They are rude to parents do not communicate and my son says he isn't learning anything and wants to go to a different school so he can learn. What more do I have to say.
—Submitted by a parent

1 comment:

  1. I said the music teacher was a Luddite for not allowing the use of electronic tuners and I was sent a "No Contact" order by certified mail. This is regarding my 5th grader who was allowed to proceed to this point and is unable to read...I had to raise hell to get them to arrange a meeting with the public school district in Thurston County to get him some help. Now they are assessing to see if indeed he is more than two years behind his class and whether or not they should allow help. What I want to know is how a "school" can operate like this. We are constantly asked for more and more money and there is no help available for a child who obviously needs a little extra help. The state should shut this dog and pony show DOWN. If I wasn't forced by a divorced spouse to school the kids there, I would pull them out in a heartbeat. I have two kids there now, and I hate every minute they have to spend with these losers.

    ReplyDelete

You may ask, "where are all the 5=Star reviews?" Well, the problem with those reviews is that many tend not to be too honest. I have included 4-star reviews that appear honest. Often, gushing reviews are placed by teachers and administrators - as some comments here indicate. "This school educates the whole child!!!" - 5 stars - by Anonymous... I say baloney! Notice, many of the reviewers have been misled by Waldorf and are still buying the PR, even after having been disappointed. Feel free to comment but understand the intent of this blog. Comments are no longer moderated.