We engage our students’ bodies, hearts, and minds in harmony—a time-tested framework that builds bold, inventive problem solvers.
Curiosity and inquisitiveness are not just means but ends in themselves. Waldorf education is founded on the principle that true learning engages not only a person’s intellect but also their emotions and will. At our school, our students’ healthy development is our highest goal, and all decisions stem from this priority. Consistent attention to the balance of head, heart, and hands—or thinking, feeling, and doing—shapes every aspect of our curriculum. Teachers create and maintain this balance in many ways:
- • Outdoor experiences and exploration are integral to every grade
- • Movement complements and enhances nearly every subject at every level
- • Singing, recitation, riddles, and games, enliven the lessons
- • Practical and fine arts develop capacities of observation, concentration, and coordination and invite students to solve problems in new ways
- • Stories, biographies, and role models help to build healthy images of humanity
- • Classrooms are beautiful, free of distractions, noise, and clutter
- • Children are protected from societal pressures to “grow up too fast”
- • Teachers work to foster a healthy classroom environment with principles of respect and reverence for others
- • Students have many opportunities for community service and service learning
Dive deeper into our educational philosophy and schedule a tour to learn more about our school.
Our History
The Lake Champlain Waldorf School was founded in 1984 by a group of parents who came together to study Waldorf education and opened a preschool for their children. The first year, ten children were taught in a rented space at the Trinity Church in Shelburne.
The foundation for a strong outdoor education program and nature-oriented curriculum was laid with the purchase of 22 acres of wooded Nature Conservancy land in Shelburne. A new building was built with support from donors, the Steiner Foundation, and incredible community involvement. The school moved into the new building in 1990. In 1996 the first eighth grade graduated.
The Bostwick Road Campus is a post-and-beam building that has been sustainably renovated. Photo by Susan Teare, ©SusanTeare.com.
Throughout the mid-90s, a small group of community members began studying and planning for our high school program. The high school opened in the fall of 2001 in the historic Old Creamery building in Charlotte, and the first high school class graduated in 2005. In 2012, we acquired a landmark property for our high school. The high school moved into the renovated former Morgan Horse Museum property in 2014.
The Bostwick Road campus is now home to our Upper School, from grades seven through high school.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has members drawn from parents, the faculty and staff, and the larger community. It ensures the legal and financial well-being of the school and has a fiduciary responsibility to the school. Its responsibilities include fundraising, strategic planning, and budget approval. Board meetings are held every month.
Board Members:
Amanda Herzberger, President
Ana-Klara Anderson
Christina Bell
Danielle Cox, Treasurer
Shari Carlson, Faculty representative
Danielle Drogalis, Secretary
Bailey Johns, Faculty representative
Steve Olson, Faculty representative
Chris Smith
Christopher Tirrell
Justine Viets, Vice President
Jen Zahorchak