Madrona School

“Waldorf education addresses the child as no other education does…. By the time they reach us at the college and university level, these students are grounded broadly and deeply and have a remarkable enthusiasm for learning. Such students possess the eye of discoverers, and the compassionate heart of the reformer which, when joined to a task, can change the planet.”  — Arthur Zajonc, Ph.D. Assoc. Prof. of Physics Amherst College

Madrona School welcomes enrollment inquiries throughout the school year.  Mid-year applications are accepted as space allows. In addition to tours the following scheduled events will help you get to know the school better.

• Tuesday, October 14, 7-9 pm - Experiential evening.  Be a Waldorf student for a few hours!
• Tuesday, November 25, 2:30 - Autumn assembly.  Madrona School grades students share their work with parents and guests
• Thursday, December 18, 2:30 - Strings Concert.  Madrona School strings ensemble, grades 5 & 6 share their work
• Saturday, January 24, 11:00 - Open House
• Saturday, February 7, 11:00 - 3:00 - Hearts and Crafts Fair & Open House

Application Process

1) School tour - Please contact our Enrollment Coordinator, Missi Goss at (206) 855-8041 to schedule a school tour or request an application package.

2) Teacher Interview with Parents
Once the school has received your application, student records (for grades students) and non-refundable application fee, we will contact you to schedule an interview with the class teacher. 

• Parent-Toddler applicants are enrolled directly without an interview.
• Preschool and Kindergarten teachers meet with parents and their child in the classroom during non-school hours. 
• 1st grade applicant’s parents will be interviewed by both the 1st grade and kindergarten teachers if the child’s birthdate falls within two months of the May 31 birthdate cut-off.  This will help ensure that the child is placed in the correct class.
• Grades parents meet with two grades teachers (their child’s prospective teacher and one other) without children present. 

These interviews provide the chance for parents to ask in-depth questions about the school and the Waldorf curriculum.  They also allow the teacher to learn about your child and family. It’s important to use this time to make sure Waldorf education is a good fit for your family and your child.

3) Grade school applicants visit the classroom
Grades applicants are invited to spend one to three days visiting the class they would be placed in. The teacher will talk individually with your child and may perform some gentle, non-pressured assessments.

4) Additional Assessment for grades applicants if necessary
For grade school applicants, the teacher may request an additional assessment to be performed by a development specialist. This assessment yields valuable information for both teacher and parents.  This assessment will be required for all incoming 1st grade students.  Marianne Wagner, Certified Practitioner of HANDLE performs our assessments.  Initial assessments cost $75, payable to Madrona School.  As necessary, the teacher may request a follow-up interview with the parents.

5) Acceptance
If the visit (and assessment if requested) shows that Madrona School would be a good fit for your child, the teacher will recommend to the College of Teachers that he or she be admitted.  Upon this decision, you will be contacted and an intake interview scheduled with the Enrollment Coordinator to arrange for a tuition contract and other necessary paperwork.  If enrolling mid-year, we will determine together what day the child will begin school.

6) Enrollment Interview
If the family and school are in agreement to proceed with enrollment, a final interview with the enrollment coordinator will occur wherein school life and policies will be discussed and enrollment forms will be completed. The Enrollment and Materials fee is due at this time to ensure your child’s place in the class. This non-refundable fee covers the materials that will be purchased on your child’s behalf.

7) Orientation
New families will be invited to an orientation offered in late summer.

Tuition schedule

Application Fee
Non-refundable application fee is due when submitting the Application for Admission

• $25 for Parent-Toddler
• $50 for Preschool through Grades

Enrollment & Materials Fees

This non-refundable fee is due upon acceptance into the program for new students, or in February for re-enrolling students. Payment of fee holds student’s place in the class.

Activities Fee for middle school students only, $600.  Covers cost of outside lessons taught by community professionals in which the entire class participates (Aikido, swimming, tennis, bicycle maintenance etc.). Must be paid in full by August 1st.

 Discounts

• Early payment: 3% for payment of entire annual tuition before August 1
• Sibling: 10% for 2nd sibling, 50% for 3rd & 4th children enrolled (applied to lower tuitions)

Tuition Level Adjustment (Financial Aid)

Madrona School’s financial assistance program for families of grade school students is called “tuition level adjustment,” or TLA and is awarded to families with demonstrated financial need relative to the other families who apply.

We are committed to providing Waldorf education to all families who desire it for their children, regardless of their ability to pay full tuition.  Families who wish to recieve an adjusted tuition are required to submit their financial information to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), prior to March 7, or immediately upon applying.

Please contact our Enrollment Coordinator, Missi Goss, for more information about TLA.

Student Withdrawal

All students are granted an eight-week provisional enrollment period. Students withdrawing during this period pay for the time attended plus one month. If a child continues in the class beyond this eight week period, it is understood that a tuition commitment has been made for the remainder of the school year.

Age Guidelines

• Parent Toddler Age 1 - 3; born before 9/1/07
• Preschool Age 3-4; born before 9/1/05
• Kindergarten Age 4-6; born before 6/1/04
• 1st Grade Age 6-7; born before 6/1/02
• 2nd Grade Age 7-8; born before 6/1/01
• 3rd Grade Age 8-9; born before 6/1/00
• 5th Grade Age 10-11; born before 6/1/98
• 6th Grade Age 11-13; born before 6/1/97

Please Note:  The Waldorf curriculum is designed to meet children at their developmental age level. Children entering a Waldorf grades program are slightly older than in conventional schools. First grade is geared for late six to seven year olds, and children should be six by the preceding May 31st to enter the first grade. This continues up the grades. Special circumstances may arise which warrant placement of a younger or older child in a class.