Our SchoolThe Upper Valley Waldorf School is an independent, Pre-K -- 8 school based on the educational contributions of Rudolf Steiner.
Our mission is to cultivate a balance of intellectual achievement, spiritual growth, physical development and personal responsibility through a classical education that reflects an understanding of the growing child.
Our school is one of nearly 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide sharing this 80-year old educational philosophy.
Founded in 1986 by a group of parents seeking a Waldorf Education for their children, The Upper Valley Waldorf School continues to thrive as a dedicated community of teachers, parents and children.
In 1986, UVWS began as an Anthroposophical/Waldorf study group of young families that evolved into the decision to form a school. Soon after, the Board, which consisted of every parent in the school, made the decision to become a member of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America), become an officially accredited Independent School and apply for a 501(C) (3) status as a not-for-profit organization.
In 1991, the school officially began with a kindergarten class of 11 students meeting in a rented classroom in the Norwich Congregational Church. Over the next few years, the school occupied a variety of locations; adding classes as the children grew and hiring Waldorf trained teachers. In 1996, an enrolled family purchased the old Quechee Elementary School and gifted it to UVWS. This was the school's first permanent home!
In the fall of 1996, school began in our current location with a nursery class, 1 kindergarten and grades 1-3. Of note is that the founding parents with children in the school chose to support the school's growth through 8th grade and we have been bursting at the seams ever since!
After many renovations to the school building and rapid school growth it became clear that more space was needed. An administrator was hired as the first step in the process of a Capital Campaign. The school purchased the adjacent property, with land and a farmhouse, to pave the way for campus expansion. In the winter of 2001 a feasibility study was done and the Capital Campaign officially began.
Our new classroom building was completed in the Fall of 2003 after our successful Capital Campaign raised over 1.1 million dollars, and one year later in October of 2004 the building was dedicated as the Roberts House. Roberts House is a two story classroom building with four classrooms, two lobbies/welcome areas, faculty preparation space and adjacent outdoor classroom areas.
Now in our fourteenth year, and after steady growth, UVWS enjoys this expanded campus serving children nursery through grade 8, and a parent/toddler program.
Waldorf education extends beyond what happens in the classroom. The overall health of the school depends on the involvement of our parents and wider community to become actively involved. By volunteering at the school, each of us can broaden our understanding of how the school works and deepen our appreciation for Waldorf education. This assistance also helps create a rich environment in which the children will flourish.
Diversity Statement
It is a fundamental goal of Waldorf education and Waldorf schools around the world to bring students to an understanding and experience of the common humanity of all the world’s people. Our school welcomes students, families, faculty, and staff of all races, faiths, creeds, gender and sexual orientations.
“[We] must cast aside the division into races. [We] must seek to unite people of all races and nations, and to bridge the division and differences between various groups of people." Rudolf Steiner