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Who We Are
Woodland Star Charter School is an independent K-8 charter school in Sonoma, California, founded in 2000 by parents and teachers. Embracing the Waldorf instructional method, Woodland Star addresses the whole child, framing rigorous academics in an artistic, creative, and multi-sensory curriculum. Our method follows a developmental model that respects the nature of children and how they best learn. A play-based, Kindergarten resists the cultural imperative for “more-better-faster,” allowing young children to enjoy the wonder of childhood through imaginative play.
In the grades, the Woodland Star curriculum covers an exceptional range. Core subjects are taught in three- to four-week-long Main Lesson blocks, immersing the students in language arts, math, science, geography, and history. Concepts are interwoven throughout the curriculum and are taught through oral presentations, writing, reading, recitation, drama, painting, drawing, and movement. This multi-dimensional approach engages students in a powerful and concentrated experience and promotes active listening, memory, imagination, and vocabulary. Enrichment subjects, often taught by specialty teachers, include Spanish, singing, flute, violin, painting, drawing, modeling, knitting, sewing, farming and gardening, and movement. The Woodland Star faculty members are California credentialed, with extensive training in Waldorf education. Woodland Star parents are encouraged to play an active role in the school as committed and involved partners in their children’s education.
Our Mission
Woodland Star Charter School is a Waldorf Methods public school serving families with children from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through eighth grade. We offer a developmentally based curriculum, integrating rigorous academics and the arts. Our goal is to educate children to become creative thinkers, ready to positively influence the world around them.
Our Vision
Woodland Star Charter School is a community of families and teachers using Waldorf teaching methods to nourish and educate our children. We have developed a public school with a consistent philosophy, curriculum, and teaching method that embraces the developmental model of the growing child and awakens each child’s full and unique potential. Waldorf methods nurture a sense of wonder and delight and foster the reverence for nature and humanity inherent in the young child. The Waldorf curriculum develops the child’s active will, creative imagination, and clear, independent thinking. Children emerge as life-long learners with the self-confidence to impart direction and purpose to their lives and leadership to their community.
