Programs
Awakening Wonder, Building Capacity
Grades 1 – 5 · Lead Teacher model · Arts-integrated curriculum
About the Elementary Program
In the Waldorf elementary years, the Class Teacher accompanies the same group of children from Grade 1 through Grade 5 — sometimes beyond. This continuity of relationship is at the heart of Waldorf education. The teacher knows each child deeply, and the curriculum is shaped to meet the children where they are in their development.
Every subject is taught through the arts. History comes alive through drama and storytelling. Mathematics is introduced through movement and rhythm. Language arts grow from the rich soil of fairy tales, fables, and mythology. The child's imagination is not a distraction from learning — it is the very vehicle through which lasting understanding is built.
At Sanderling, our elementary program spans Grades 1 through 5, serving children from approximately age 6 to 11. Specialty subjects, including music, eurythmy, Spanish, German, handwork, and movement, complement the Main Lesson curriculum throughout the week.
How We Teach
Each morning begins with a two-hour Main Lesson where the Class Teacher develops a single academic theme over several weeks — weaving story, art, and movement into every subject.
Watercolor painting, form drawing, modeling, handwork, and drama are not extras — they are the primary language through which academic content is absorbed and remembered.
Children play flute, sing in parts, and move through eurythmy — an art of movement that brings language and music into the whole body, cultivating coordination and inner harmony.
Spanish & German are introduced in Grade 1 through songs and games. Language learning through the arts builds ear, memory, and cultural appreciation.
The school year is marked by festivals that connect children to the rhythms of nature and the cultural life of humanity — from Michaelmas to May Fair.
Arithmetic is taught through movement, rhythm, and story before pencil and paper. From counting in Grade 1 to geometry in Grade 5, math is always alive and imaginative.
Curriculum
Select a grade to explore its themes, stories, and curriculum highlights.
The Class Teacher
One of the most distinctive features of Waldorf education is the Class Teacher relationship. One teacher accompanies the same class from Grade 1 through Grade 8 — teaching the Main Lesson each morning and knowing each child across the full arc of their elementary years.
This continuity creates a depth of trust and understanding that transforms the classroom. The teacher can meet each child's individual needs, recognize patterns of growth over years, and build a curriculum that truly responds to the class as a living community.
At Sanderling, our Class Teachers are trained Waldorf educators who bring deep knowledge of child development and a genuine love of teaching to their work every day.
Ready to Begin?
We are currently enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year. Schedule a tour to visit our campus and see the classrooms in action.