Guanacaste Waldorf School
Guanacaste Waldorf School is a bilingual (English/Spanish), international K-6 school in Hernández, Costa Rica. The school has a natural, nurturing setting inspired by Rudolf Steiner and the principles of Waldorf Education. Guanacaste Waldorf School is located right in the cruce from road to Santa Cruz and Pinilla and road to Villarreal town and Tamarindo.
History
Guanacaste Waldorf School was founded in 2011 by three families, who were immersed in Waldorf education in different ways. These families started a Waldorf homeschool in Guanacaste, offering this education and way of living to a small group of children. "Centro Bilingüe Waldorf - Escuela Naturaleza y Pura Vida" was then founded. In 2013, the name was changed to Guanacaste Waldorf School and its location moved from the original Avellana-Villarreal towns to the town of Hernández, 6 km South of Tamarindo Beach.
Pre-K/Kindergarten
The Pre-K/Kindergarten group starts with ages 2.5 to 6 years old. Nature has an important role in the day-to-day activities - e.g. during walks or while working in the garden. Outdoor play in rope swings, see-saw or hammocks, baking, puppetry, story-telling, finger knitting, sewing, watercolor painting, wool felting, songs and poems are part of the daily curriculum. Students assist with all tasks at school, developing self-confidence, a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
Grades
Grades 1-4 start at age 6.5–10 years old. The curriculum in these years presents the history of humanity as it coincides with the development of the student's individual artistic expression and scholastic achievement.
The main lesson, occupying the first two hours of each school day, is designed to immerse students in a subject over a period of two to four weeks. A four-week block of form drawing, for example, becomes a learning process supported by activities such as the recitation of poetry, singing, drama, drawing, and writing, all integrated with the theme, as well as the daily recalling and developing of the content explored in the lesson of the previous day.
Half of the lessons are held in English and the other half in Spanish. Additionally, German is introduced as foreign language two days a week.
Afterschool Activities
In cooperation with partners, Guanacaste Waldorf School offers horseback riding, tennis and ballet as afterschool activities.
Nutrition
Guanacaste Waldorf School provides students with healthy vegetarian snacks and lunches.
See also
- Waldorf education
- History of Waldorf schools
- Rudolf Steiner