Joyful Life-long Learning
We are a Lancaster County private school with students from York, Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, and beyond. We offer classes from preschool through 8th Grade. One of the most significant things that make Susquehanna Waldorf School unique is our whole-child approach to education. We believe school should invigorate children and contribute positively to their overall well-being and happiness.
At Susquehanna Waldorf School, our graduates build meaningful lives full of purpose and creativity through a rigorous educational foundation that nurtures the unique potential within each child. By using inspiration as a key ingredient in our hands-on curriculum, we cultivate the creative capacities that lead to joyful, life-long learning.
Our Mission
The Susquehanna Waldorf School inspires resilience and compassion in our students, awakens their capacities for innovative learning, and prepares them to engage with purpose in the world.
Our Vision
We envision a community where children love to learn and are inspired to live with purpose, compassion, and joy.
Admissions Events
Meet teachers and class parents, tour our historic school building, and learn more about the early childhood programs and grades curriculum.
If you’re considering SWS for a student in grades 1-8, join us for an informative morning exploring the grades curriculum.
It may seem like a little school but inside of those walls is everything. You have celebrations and you fight dragons and you play instruments. We become one with nature and nature becomes one with us. There is magic...as little children we are not taught about the details of photosynthesis instead we were told of the fairies come and paint the leaves. There are no tests. They want everyone to feel special and confident. Field trips include hiking and camping in the middle of nowhere, learning how to cook your own food and chop wood and a harvest and farm. We are given life skills like woodworking and making clothing and knitting and nurturing children. If I was ever stranded on an island I would know how to survive because I can carve things and I can source food and I can make a structure. We don't get stacks of homework so that we can play and spend time with family. Waldorf is a community and has helped me to feel less shy and the whole school is like my big giant family!
- SWS student
Mommy, when I have children I'm going to send them to Waldorf. I want them to have the same experience that you give me. It will be like reliving my kid life and getting to go to Waldorf all over again. I will be happy when they come home with the Norns and hats and other crocheted and knitted things. I look forward to driving them to school especially in the winter time to see the school being decorated for the Winter Faire. I really feel that Waldorf has helped me come out of my shell and not be so shy. I feel I can do anything. It does not matter who you are, you are always welcome.
- Willow Eden Lloyd, grade 4
Waldorf education
A colorful, engaging, nurturing and natural journey of the senses, filled with wonder, where the children are given the tools to develop a love of learning and see the world in color. This holistic approach allows each child to develop a true sense of 'whole self' before an enchanting transformation occurs and each blossoming student finds themselves connecting to others, effortlessly. Our world could only benefit from an institution that hosts and 'births' such well-rounded, community-minded and reverent 'new leaders'.
- Gina D'Ambrosio, parent
At a glance, an observer can see the goodness and the wholeness of what happens at the Susquehanna Waldorf School. When you dig deeper, it is so much more. Here's a school focused on developing good people that will change the world with their expressions and interactions in any path they choose. Six years ago, we moved our family across the street from this gem and our lives were forever changed.
- Allen Clements, parent
After living away for thirteen years, we decided to move back to our hometown. Susquehanna Waldorf School provided us with comfort, support, and a sense of family during a very difficult time in our life. SWS is the very best decision we could have made for our family- our children are finally happy to go to school every day!
- Natalie Rauch, SWS parent- Grades 1 & 2
When I first walked through the entrance to the Waldorf School, I felt at home. I knew my daughters would be cared for. And I was right. They have learned, grown and matured into the young women they are today. Their maturation and growth (spiritually, emotionally and intellectually) is partly the result of a curriculum focused on the child’s developmental readiness. Couple the curriculum with small classes and a loving family spirit via their teachers, they learn how to cooperate as they make decisions, yet are able to compete when needed. Waldorf education has enabled my children to embrace the wholeness of who they are. Dare I ask for more—maybe a high school?
- The Carlisle’s, SWS parents