Programs & Curriculum
Programs Overview
We are proud to be inspired by Waldorf Education, a worldwide movement that began in 1919. Rooted in a profound understanding of how children learn and grow, Waldorf education is based on the principles of education from world-renowned, scientist, artist, and founder of Anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner. This approach nurtures the natural joy that children take in learning with lessons not simply based on repetition and memorization, but experienced through immersive, hands-on participation. Each school year is designed to meet children’s evolving aptitude for experiences and social interactions.
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Generations of Waldorf graduates have gone on to become mathematicians, artists, entrepreneurs, biochemists, teachers, leaders. For more information on Waldorf education, please visit the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
Early Childhood Overview
Enjoying Play with a Purpose
In our early childhood classrooms, great care is taken to create a warm and home-like setting and a beautiful environment where children’s senses are nurtured. Every aspect of our early childhood program is designed to foster healthy and balanced intellectual, emotional, and physical development from daily outdoor play and nature walks to the organic foods served at snack time. Our students learn by engaging in practical activities such as washing dishes, sweeping, gardening, baking and building. We incorporate seasonal crafts, movement, outdoor adventures, and ample creative free play to encourage joyful learning and imaginative exploration.
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Eastside Community School offers preschool and kindergarten for two and a half to six-year old children. We request that your child be able to eat on his or her own, and cooperative in dressing for outdoor play.​​
Our early childhood program focuses on:
Imagination
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Young children are supported in their natural development by an emphasis on imagination as explored through play, purposeful activity, movement, social life, art and a rich tradition of oral storytelling, provided in a warm and secure environment.
Self-Directed Play
The kind of playful work in which children engage in the our school is very different from the expectations generated by most modern toys and electronic games. We provide young children many opportunities for self directed play with open ended toys, while guiding them in creating a healthy social group with their peers.
Rhythm
Because a consistent, dependable daily rhythm provides a critical sense of security for a young child, activities are scheduled to follow the natural rhythms of a child’s day and year, balancing indoor and outdoor free play with more focused artistic and practical activities such as baking, painting, or crafts, and with circle time including rhymes, songs, and storytelling.
Beauty
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Our classrooms are designed to support the child’s foundational experience that the world is good and beautiful. Classrooms are pleasant with calm areas for working and playing, our toys and art supplies are created from natural materials, and our outdoor areas include playgrounds, grassy fields for magical adventures.
Purposeful Activity
Young children begin school enthusiastic and excited to learn. Our activities prepare them for the challenges of elementary school subjects while nurturing and maintaining their enthusiasm:
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Songs, stories and rhymes cultivate intimacy with language
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Puppet shows and dramatic play strengthen memory and imagination
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Counting games and rhythmic activities build a solid foundation for arithmetic skills
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Painting and crafts help develop fine motor skills, coordination, and concentration
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Vigorous play enhances concentration as it develops gross motor skills, proprioception, and vitality
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Seasonal and outdoor activities foster understanding of the natural world
Parent & Child Classes
Join our Waldorf inspired Parent and Child class designed to support families in the early stages of their child’s life. Dewdrops provides a nurturing environment where parents or caregivers and their infants or toddlers can connect, explore nature, and engage in purposeful activities. Guided by an experienced Waldorf teacher, you’ll share in storytelling, songs, and healthy play - fostering your child’s sensory development and building a supportive community for families.
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​Daily Rhythm: We follow a rhythmical structure of work and imaginative play to develop skills for healthy social interaction, as well as seasonal circle time or storytime.
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For children birth to 3 years. ​​​​​Limited Spots Available!
Preschool
Reveling in Childhood
​We help young children happily and successfully transition from home life to school life with our innovative preschool approach. Following a daily rhythm well-suited to their natural development, our preschool helps young students begin to expand their social circle, enrich their imaginations, and expand their physical activities in a peaceful, nurturing environment.​​​​​​
Exploring Their Expanding World
Preschool at Eastside Community School is about reveling in both childhood and the world, with children spending ample time in and out of doors. Outside, they explore nature as they splash in puddles, marvel at budding daffodils, or run with the winds. Inside, they learn to play together, use toys made from natural materials, and enjoy homemade snacks to stay fueled for movement and fun.
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Activities also mark the rhythm of the changing natural world throughout the year. In the fall, children may cut and cook apples for applesauce and make lanterns to lighten the growing darkness. In the spring, they may help prepare a snack using organic vegetables.
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Regular parent evenings are held throughout the school year for parents to ask questions, share resources, and explore the foundations of an early childhood experience inspired by Waldorf education. Private annual conferences offer parents time to discuss their child’s development in depth with the teacher.
Preschool Class Details
​​Class Sessions
Four-day and five-day options available, with choice of morning program or extended day.
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School Hours
Morning program 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Extended day 12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Start and end times may vary from year to year.
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Ages
Two and a half to four years old.
Kindergarten
Nurturing the Treasure of Imagination
The kindergarten experience at Eastside Community School is devoted to nurturing the most precious aspect of early childhood: imagination. In a mixed-age classroom, children sing songs, learn poems, perform puppet plays, and take part in circle games—all helping attune them to the beauty of language as their imaginations flourish.
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As they begin to awaken their sense of taste, sight, beauty and purpose, they are met with aligned activities such as baking bread, drawing, and painting. We carefully select classroom toys and tools made from natural materials such as wood, silk, or beeswax, that appeal to the sense of touch and help foster a reverence for nature. Children enjoy both movement and nature during outside play, walks, and gardening.
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Because our kindergarten includes a mix of preschool and kindergarten age children, plus regular weekly interaction with children in our preschool, our kindergarten students enjoy participating in a variety of social groups and rites of passage. When they act as helpers and role models for the younger children, they develop qualities that will serve them well throughout life.
Regular parent evenings are held throughout the school year for parents to ask questions, share resources, and explore the foundations of an early childhood experience inspired by Waldorf education. Private annual conferences offer parents time to discuss their child’s development in depth with the teacher.
Gatherers Program
The program for children in their sixth year is a special rite of passage designed especially for them. In preparation for first grade, children participate in activities that help to ready them in body, mind and spirit for the initial experience of growing into a grade school classroom. In addition to their regular early childhood program, our Gatherers children attend one day per week with a teacher who leads them through extra-long hikes, tells inspiring stories, brings challenging projects, and develops the capacities that support them in stamina, patience, attention, memory and dexterity. We recognize that these skills can contribute to a child’s ability to successfully receive the beautiful first grade curriculum ahead, as well as creating a most memorable time with classmates that will build camaraderie in advance of the forming of the first grade class community.
Kindergarten Class Details
Class Sessions
Four-day and five-day options available, with choice of morning program or extended day.
School Hours
Morning program 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Extended day 12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Start and end times may vary from year to year.
Ages
For children four to six. Children as young as three may be accepted in the Kindergarten class, pending teachers’ assessment.
Class Size
Up to 20 children, 2 teachers
Food Provided
Snack: organic and vegetarian. Children with allergies will be accommodated in conjunction with parent support.
After-School Care
Available from dismissal time until 5:00 p.m. for an additional hourly fee.
Note: After-School Care is available for extended day students. There is no After-School Care for morning program students.
Elementary and Middle School Overview
The key to education at Eastside Community School is balance: between students’ practical knowledge and their creative enthusiasm; in a rich curriculum where challenging academics are integrated with arts, music, and movement; and where we ensure that learning happens naturally and rhythmically while helping develop students’ skill and interest in a variety of subjects and activities. Subjects are made engaging and exciting by teachers skilled in oral storytelling and by integrating each subject with a variety of arts.
Elementary School
​Students don’t merely absorb the subjects taught in the two-hour main lesson. Instead, they reach a deep understanding of each lesson by bringing it to life in books that they design, write, and illustrate about each subject.
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Day-to-day learning takes place in a non-competitive environment. Parents receive regular updates through parent-teacher conferences, written evaluations of student progress, and close relationships between teachers, students, and families. Teachers and students often progress together from first grade through the middle school years.
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Other specialty teachers add to the weekly rhythm by sharing their expertise in language instruction, music, handwork, and movement education.​
Elementary School Curriculum
Middle School
​​The middle school years can be both full of anxiousness to explore the world or conversely, full of anxiousness to not be ready. We meet these transition years by seeking a balance between a comforting continuity from the lower grades and increased academic and artistic challenges.
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Students participate in multi-day trips such as biking, hiking and kayaking, which bring hands-on experiences linked to the academic curriculum. In eighth grade, all students complete a comprehensive research project, complete with written report, artistic project, display, and oral presentation to the school community.
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This comprehensive approach to academics, the arts, and real life activities prepares students well for the challenges of high school. And they take with them a healthy, inclusive approach to social relationships, as they refine their ability to work as a team and to respect each other’s individuality.
Middle School Curriculum
Summer Camps
Summer Camp in Issaquah!
Summer at Eastside Community School is a time for creating, exploring, and connecting with new friends! Our camps are led by experienced Waldorf teachers, and are free from screens and distractions, allowing children to immerse themselves in activities that promote creativity and joy. Children are encouraged to explore, move, and play.
Our summer camps are designed to complement our school year programs, and are open to current students, as well as the broader community. Join us this summer!