Education is not a question of what knowledge children need to acquire
to enter society, ​but what capacities in human beings can be developed ​
to bring new forces into society. 
​                                                                                       ~Rudolf Steiner

Our Philosophy

Hearthstone School is inspired by the Waldorf education method and many of the teachings of Rudolf Steiner; however, a wealth of other resources and traditions are drawn on as well. We balance academic, artistic, and practical work, educating the whole child: heart, head, and hands. Our teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each child. By freely using arts and activities in the service of teaching academics, an internal motivation to learn is developed in the students, doing away with the need for competitive testing and grading. 

Supported by modern research in education and neuropsychology, the Waldorf curriculum is based on Rudolf Steiner's detailed psychology of child development. At its core, the Waldorf curriculum is designed to be responsive to the various phases of a child's development. The total Waldorf curriculum has been likened to an ascending spiral: subjects are revisited several times, but each new exposure affords greater depth and new insights into the subject at hand. Core subjects (history, language arts, science, and mathematics) are taught in Main Lesson blocks in the mornings. Adjunct classes are taught in the afternoon.

The Waldorf classroom also emphasizes direct experience and application of learning. And so, alongside a traditional classroom experience, our students once built a geodesic dome in Math class, hatched chickens in Biology, and flew real airplanes in Physics.  They plant organic vegetable gardens and put on plays in English. In Wildlife Ecology, the students found a Least Brook Lamprey and a Fence Post Lizard never before documented in this region. Field trips to art collections, plays at the Kennedy Center, museums in Washington D.C. and Richmond, and hikes in Shenandoah National Park complement the curriculum. Guest lecturers are invited in to speak on topics ranging from ceramics to waste management. It is a practical and exciting curriculum for the students and faculty. 
 
The Waldorf system and Hearthstone pay close attention to the rhythms of the changing seasons. We find in these forces of natural growth, blossom, decay, death, and regeneration an "outer" complement to the "inner" processes of the child. We recognize the changes in the natural world with various festivals and holidays. 
Imagination and creativity are cultivated, as well as cognitive growth and a sense of responsibility for the Earth and its inhabitants.

​Hearthstone’s curriculum and practices strive towards Steiner’s goals: that young people would develop the capacities of soul and intellect and the strength of will that would prepare them to meet the challenges of their own time and the future.

Parent-Child Classes

For Children 18 Months to 6 Years
​Experience the wonder of the Nursery/Kindergarten class with your child. Learn about the Waldorf Method, meet other children, and introduce your child to developmentally-appropriate activities such as storytelling, watercolor painting, beeswax molding, hand crafts, rhythmic movement, and bread making.
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Classes for Homeschoolers

Part-Time Enrollment
Part-time enrollment in selected classes and activities is available for home schooling and road schooling families. Classes include core subjects, Spanish, calligraphy, environmental science, drama, weaving, and bread baking. This type of enrollment is arranged on a case by case basis. Please inquire for more information. 

Chalkboard Drawings

Beautiful chalkboard drawings are a key element and focal point of every Waldorf classroom. When teachers present the curriculum in an artistic way, students are inspired to engage with the material.

These dances were introduced to the world in the 1960s by Samuel Lewis, a scholar of Buddhism, Judaism and Sufism, advocate of organic agriculture, and international proponent of world peace. Lewis believed that if people could eat, dance, and pray together, there would be peace on Earth; teaching these dances formed part of his mission.

The dances, most of which are performed in a circle, combine simple movements with songs and chants from spiritual traditions from around the world. The themes honor peace, love, the Divine, nature, and the unity of humanity. Through the music, our students become acquainted with foreign phrases, names and stories from various cultures.
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While not formally part of the Waldorf curriculum, Dances of Universal Peace are very much in keeping with the spirit and purpose of Waldorf-based education. Waldorf education came into being in the aftermath of World War I, when some forward-thinking individuals felt the need for a new type of education. They asked philosopher Rudolf Steiner to develop a new kind of school: one that would help children become harmonious citizens who would create a just and peaceful society. 

Dances of
​Universal Peace

Organization

Hearthstone is a community and commitment for the whole family. We value active participation and support from all members: parents, teachers, students, and friends. Evolved from a parent cooperative, the school flexibly responds to the needs, interests, and resources of its member families. Members perform volunteer hours and attend monthly meetings. 

The Core Council, a group of five to eight leaders, meets throughout the year. Recommendations for the school are brought before the Core Council for review, and decisions on the operation of the school are brought to the membership for a vote.

The hard work of our dedicated teachers, volunteer specialists, and office staff serves a single purpose:
to create an atmosphere where children enjoy learning.