HeartSong
HeartSong - A Waldorf Inspired Lower Grades Program
HeartSong’s first grade program is thriving and we will be offering a second grade for 2024/25.
There is an emerging first grade program, please contact us if interested.
HeartSong is an emergent lower-grades program inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s indications for an educational approach that seeks to meet the needs of the whole child – body, mind, and spirit. There is special emphasis on nature-based learning and mindful approaches that support social health and nervous system regulation.
Key aspects of this holistic education include:
Outdoor Education
Arts and Handwork
Rhythm & Repetition
Main Lesson Blocks
Play-Based Learning
Oral Storytelling
Experiential Education
Blocks and Main Lesson Books
In the first grade, the main subjects, Language Arts and Math, are taught in Blocks lasting typically four weeks.
The Block schedule allows the principles of Rhythm & Repetition to really work on the children. A pattern often referred to as “recap, review, introduce new” helps create a rhythmic structure that helps foster a sense of connection, continuity, and engagement with the material while supporting active engagement and building the capacity for memory.
Children record their daily work in Main Lesson Books through drawings and writing. These books give children the opportunity to take an active, hands-on approach to their learning that encourages creativity and meaningful self-engagement.
If you are a new family please contact us to set up a tour!
First and Second Grade Curriculum Includes:
Nature-Based Learning
Nature walks
Self-directed outdoor play
Observing the changes in the natural world through the Wheel of the Year
Identifying plants and animals
Nature-based handwork and projects
Cultivating a sense of wonder and connection with the natural world
Language Arts & Literature
Oral storytelling
Pictorial and phonetic introduction to letters
Reading approached through writing
Folktales, fairy tales, and nature-inspired stories
Mathematics:
Counting and number recognition
Introduction to the four processes – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Introduction to geometric shapes and patterns
Practical application of math skills in daily activities such as cooking, gardening, and nature observation
Handwork & the Arts
Knitting and weaving
Beeswax and clay modeling
Sewing and basic embroidery
Natural dyeing
Singing, rhythmic games, circle games, group games
Developing a foundation for music studies based on simplicity, harmony, and imagination using the pentatonic flute, singing, and games.
Painting with a focus on exploring color
Form drawing
Tuition Information
-
Full tuition for HeartSong is $12,500, families paying by cash or check will receive ~3% off all payments made toward the program, bringing full tuition to $12,100.
SLIDING SCALE: Tuition is a sliding scale between $12,100 - $13,100.
Any additional money above $12,100 that a family gives will go to tuition support to families that have requested it and more robust programming.
-
Deposit #1 - $1244 (due upon registration, non-refundable) (with cash or check $1210)
Deposit #2 - $1244 (due by end of May at enrollment completion, non-refundable) (with cash or check $1210)
New Family Fee (If Applicable) - $103 (with cash or check $100)
Yearly Materials Fee - $566 (with cash or check $550)
-
(To be paid monthly starting Oct. 1 through May 1)
$1,244 (with cash or check $1,210)
-
For tuition information, please review our 2024-2025 HeartSong Tuition Contract.
We are committed to making our program affordable and offer a limited number of sliding-scale scholarships based on need.
Important Links
