Washington Waldorf School

Bethesda, Maryland; 4800 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20816; six-acre campus bordering parkland, in walking distance of the Potomac River; about 1 mile from the DC border.

Preschool through Grade 12.

Independent, non-denominational Waldorf school; Waldorf/Steiner-based education.

Not equipped to support students with severe learning or behavioral challenges; mild learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia may be accommodated.

United States

Non-denominational

Start times vary by age group: Seedlings and Nursery begin at 8:45 am; Kindergarten and Grades 1–6 begin at 8:30 am; Grades 7–12 begin at 8:15 am. Dismissal: Seedlings/1/2 day at 12:30 pm; full day at 3:00 pm. After-school programs run 3:00–6:00 pm.

Bus pickup/drop-off in Silver Spring; annual bus fee $2,700.

Preschool through Grade 12. Mixed-age Kindergarten (Ages 4-6) includes Songbirds, Sunflowers, and Waldorf in the Woods with half-day or full-day options; Songbirds and Sunflowers classes accommodate up to 20 children, Waldorf in the Woods up to 15. Lower School (grades 1-8) includes Spanish, handwork, woodwork, Eurythmy, instrumental and vocal music, games and outdoor education, form drawing, and art. The Waldorf curriculum is developmentally appropriate and integrates academics with arts and hands-on learning. High School offers an interdisciplinary program with rigorous academics, fine arts, practical arts, and community service, including double-period main lessons and a rotation of afternoon STEAM intensives; language offerings include Spanish, Spanish for Native Speakers, or Independent Study, and there is an Exchange Program. A college advisor supports college selection and applications, and graduates matriculate to a wide variety of colleges and universities.

7-to-1; Lower School average class size is 20, Upper School average is 15.

Graduates matriculate to a wide variety of colleges and universities with a dedicated college advisor guiding the process.

Waldorf Fellowships are offered to students who engage across multiple disciplines and explore a breadth of activities throughout middle and high school.

The school emphasizes social-emotional learning in Early Childhood, with play, social development, and outdoor time as foundations for growth and later academic learning.

The admissions policy indicates the school will review an individualized education plan (IEP) or other similar documentation as part of the admissions process.

The school has a school counselor who supports students' social-emotional health and academics.

The school has a non-discrimination policy and will reasonably accommodate physical or mental disabilities; it requires reporting of bullying, harassment, abuse, or self-harm in accordance with school policies and legal requirements.

1. Learn about Waldorf education by attending a tour or open house and start a conversation by filling out the Inquiry Form with the enrollment office. This initial step connects families with the school and provides an introduction to WWS programs and enrollment options. 2. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as space allows. For the 2025-2026 school year, decisions will be released on February 27, 2026 for applications received by the priority deadline of January 12, 2026; for the 2026-2027 school year, applications are accepted as space allows. Applications are submitted online in Ravenna; if you already have a Ravenna account you can access the school profile or start a new application, or you can begin by submitting the Inquiry Form to get started. 3. Age placement uses a May 31 cutoff for first grade and up; if you have questions about placement, email the Enrollment Office. 4. Admissions processes vary by program: Parent-Child (Infants to Age 3) enrolls on a first-come, first-served basis; Early Education (PK/K) requires a completed application, a $60 fee, progress reports, a teacher recommendation, and any applicable testing; Lower School (Grade 1) requires a completed application, a $60 fee, progress reports, a teacher recommendation, and any applicable testing; Lower/Middle School (Grades 2-8) requires a completed application, a $60 fee, official transcripts, teacher recommendations, a middle school questionnaire, and any applicable testing; High School requires a completed application, a $60 fee, official transcripts, two teacher recommendations, and a student questionnaire, with class visits typically 2-3 days. 5. WWS is non-sectarian and does not discriminate in admissions and programs, and seeks a diverse student body.

Financial aid supports qualified students who might not otherwise afford a Waldorf education, with about 20% of the annual operating budget devoted to aid and 34% of students receiving aid; high school aid can cover up to 95% of tuition. Financial aid is awarded through the Clarity Application, with a $60 submission fee, and annual aid priority deadlines of January 3 for returning families and January 31 for prospective families. Waldorf Fellowship Scholarship offers 30%–90% tuition relief in Grades 6–12, with up to three fellowships per grade per year; fellowships carry through the student's entire enrollment (e.g., from 6th through 12th grade). Application for the fellowship requires both a school application (via Ravenna) and a separate fellowship application, and fellowship awards are announced with admissions decisions. Scholarships and aid decisions are made based on need and merit and do not affect admission decisions.