First Grade Readiness

Children who turn six years old by June 1st are considered for first grade the following Fall. Children meeting the age requirement are assessed in several areas, including large and small motor skills, and language, social, and emotional development. The responsibility for assessment lies with the school. Children enrolled in kindergarten at Santa Cruz Waldorf School have first priority for admission to first grade the following year.

Television, Video, Computer

The effects of on-screen images on the developing child are an area of major concern for educators. Recent research points to harmful effects on many areas of child development, including neurological and cognitive development, attention span, sense development (eyes, ears), motor skill development, speech and language development, feelings, imagination, creativity, and behavior. Waldorf School disuades the use of TV, video, or computer during the school week before bedtime. For children in kindergarten and through 5th grade, we strongly discourage such activity altogether.

The School Year

Waldorf School operates on a traditional nine-month schedule, beginning in late August or early September and ending in early to mid June. The school year includes two-week breaks in winter and spring, a one week break in February, and national holidays, plus occasional Parent-Teacher Conference and teacher in-service days.

School Hours

The school day begins at 8:30 am. Kindergarten and first grade are dismissed at 1:00 pm daily. Second grade ends at 3:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and at 1:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Third through eighth grades are dismissed at 3:00 pm every day except Thursday, when dismissal is at 1:00 pm. Students who have not been picked up within 15 minutes are signed in to Aftercare.

Aftercare

After school child care is offered until 5:30 pm each day on campus, and until 3:30 pm at our offsite kindergarten. Children may be registered for full or part time aftercare. Drop-in child care is available with advance notice. Current aftercare rates are given in the Tuition and Fees schedule.

Food

The kindergartens prepare their own lunch each day. Grades students bring a healthy, hearty snack and lunch from home. Lunches should be free of concentrated sugars, soda pop, and "junk food", and carried in a basket or plain lunch box or bag with no cartoon or media images. No refrigeration or heating facilities are available.

Dress Code

Simple dress suitable for movement and play allows the child to participate freely in the various activities of the school day. Clothing should be free of large print or images of TV or film characters, superheroes, advertising, photographs, music bands, etc.; such clothing distracts from the environment of creativity and imagination we seek to create.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Various after school activities may be offered throughout the school year such as music ensembles, guitar lessons, chess, basketball (7th & 8th grades), circus skills, etc. These activities usually require an extra fee.