FAQs
What is Waldorf education?
The aim of Waldorf education is to educate the whole child, “head, heart, and hands.” Waldorf education is a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. Waldorf homeschoolers integrate the arts in all academic disciplines for children from preschool through twelfth grade to enhance and enrich learning. Waldorf Education aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities.
Drawing, painting, music, theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about and tested. They are experienced. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world.
Here are some helpful articles to give you more information:
Unique Aspects of Waldorf Education
Free Resource Library of Articles on Waldorf Homeschooling
Here are some helpful sites to give you more information.
What is the Main Lesson?
The Main Lesson is the academic cornerstone of each day. The Main Lesson is planned around a block system that lasts from three to six weeks. This unique period gives students time for in-depth exploration of mathematics, sciences, language arts, and social studies. For example, in fourth grade, students will study Norse myths during Main Lesson time for about six weeks, then move on to Zoology.
The Main Lesson topics covered in each grade is consistent in Waldorf schools worldwide, and the topics are based on meeting the child’s academic, emotional, and spiritual needs at their current developmental stage. For example, in 7th grade, students are beginning to experience a heightened sense of their own individuality and identity. History Main Lessons cover the Renaissance and Age of Exploration during this age. During this time we must foster their need for self-exploration as well as their need to explore the world and we start to see the beginnings of their own unique journey into the world.
The Waldorf method of “going deep” into a topic for a period of time results in a more holistic approach to the information and ensures better absorption by the student. Textbooks and worksheets are rarely used. Instead, students create Main Lesson books that hold original writing, lab observations, maps, artwork, diagrams, timelines, and carefully rendered illustrations — true academic and artistic reflections of learning. During Main Lesson time, a teacher may use any or all of the lively arts to present the material and engage the students. Hands-on and experiential learning is another way to describe this method. (The lively arts include storytelling, drawing, painting, modeling, drama, singing, etc.)
These notebooks reflect the student’s comprehension and academic growth and can be used to evaluate the progress of each child.
What does it mean that Waldorf curriculum is developmentally appropriate?
One of the main tenets of Waldorf education is that the curriculum is specifically created to meet the needs of the children at their specific age. Waldorf educators see child development in a unique way. It is focused on the child’s developing emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. We believe that no child passes through developmental stages faster than others. For this reason, we do not allow a child who is deemed “academically gifted” to skip grades.
An example of developmentally appropriate curriculum is in the 9th grade classroom. Students at this age are on what some might call an emotional roller coaster! In 9th grade the Waldorf curriculum presents the student with Comedy and Tragedy in literature. This presentation of two extremes helps the child find emotionally equilibrium this year. In 7th grade, we study the Age of Exploration — just when students at this age are beginning to step out into the world apart from the family. It is so interesting to learn the “why” behind the curriculum.
Please read this article for more details about this perspective and the research behind it.
Why do you celebrate festivals and seasons?
These special festivals, or holidays, are integral to the rhythm of life and passing of the seasons. In celebrating seasonal holidays, the goal is to develop in the child (and adult) a sense of the rhythm of the seasons and the passage of time, and a sense that there is something bigger than himself. Our lives are seasonal as we go through ups and downs and it’s important for us to remember that seasons change and time passes so we are never in a “down season” forever. Celebrating the rhythm of the year helps us remember this truth.
Rudolf Steiner said, “The original idea of any sacred festival (or holiday) is to make the human being look upward from his dependence on earthly things to those things that transcend the Earth.”
Even more than that, though, we take these moments as opportunities to show gratitude both for the time we’ve been granted together, and anticipation of the gifts of time that lies ahead.
In class, we take time to prepare for or celebrate upcoming Festivals and Seasons. This will be a time for storytelling, art, crafting, literature, poetry, song, memories, and excitement. Examples of festivals or seasonal days include our Fall Festival, our Spring Festival, Martinmas, Michaelmas, Christmas, Candlemas, St. Nicholas Day, May Day, and more. We will work on crafts and art projects to further enhance your family celebrations at home. We will not focus on the religious aspects at school, but encourage you to do so at home or make it your own in however works best for your family.
What curriculum do you use?
Teachers pull from a variety of Waldorf curriculum and also incorporate classic literature, stories, and poetry.
Are we required to use Waldorf curriculum at home?
No. Our weekly program is beneficial for any child and we trust our parents to make the best decisions for the students. Ultimately, the parent is the overseer of the child’s education.
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, The Dreamers’ School will offer a full three-day Waldorf main lesson cycle, focusing on reading, writing, history, science, and math. To receive a full curriculum experience, students will need to follow along with the Waldorf-inspired curriculum and parents will create lessons at home based on the teacher recommendations.
Alternatively, for families who are seeking to incorporate a virtual full-time Waldorf curriculum for your child at home (especially students who only attend classes one or two days a week), we recommend our sister school https://www.lotusandivy.com/
Will there be assigned work for students to complete at home?
Starting in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year, The Dreamers’ School will follow a four day Waldorf school week. We will provide three days of classroom instruction, while one day is intended for work at home (or two, if you wish to break up the work into smaller chunks). A weekly email will go home for the following week with an overview of the upcoming lesson plans, along with recommendations for complimentary activities to do at home. Parents can use this information to create their own at-home lesson plans. It is up to the parents to do as much/little as they choose to finish up their week. To experience a complete curriculum, the parents will coordinate their lessons outside of school and both the parent and the student will stay an active participant in communication with their teachers.
Students attending one or two days a week will receive more of a supplemental enrichment experience. Similar to three day students, it would be up to the parents to decide what suggested work they will complete at home.
Are you an umbrella school or a private school?
No. Most of our students are registered with the county or a separate umbrella program as homeschoolers. Ultimately, you are responsible for your child’s education. We are here to offer educational support.
What is your admissions process?
Our admissions process is outlined here: https://thedreamersschoolorlando.com/admissions-application
Can we schedule a time to visit the school prior to registering?
Yes, a tour/interview is required prior to enrollment. At least one parent and the student(s) must attend. We encourage both parents to attend when possible. This interview is an opportunity for parents and the staff to exchange pertinent information. The program and Waldorf pedagogy are discussed to help the family determine if The Dreamers’ School program is right for family/child, and vice versa.
Tours/interviews are offered when school is in session, one family at the time. Tours must be scheduled online. To do so, click here and follow the steps listed under the ADMISSIONS PROCESS : https://thedreamersschoolorlando.com/admissions-application (you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password).
What considerations are made for children with special needs?
The Dreamers' School is committed to meeting each child’s social, emotional and intellectual needs, but there may be times when our scope of remedial and support services is not adequate to meet the needs of a child while balancing the needs of the class. We are happy to meet with families to assess whether we are able to meet the needs of any child with special needs. We do not have the resources or a mandate to provide an appropriate education for all children. The Dreamers' School reserves the right to deny acceptance or continued enrollment in the school if the staff does not believe we can adequately meet a child’s needs.
How is student class placement decided?
The classes at The Dreamers' School are based on age and correspond to the stage of life (rather than academic ability), which is in line with the Waldorf approach to learning. The activities and lessons chosen are ones which are intended to meet the needs of even the most advanced students in the group.
Will there be testing?
No.
Must my child attend the entire day?
Yes. The daily rhythm is very important to our Waldorf environment.
Do you have an attendance policy?
We do not require a formal attendance record. We realize that one of the joys of homeschooling is flexibility and the freedom to travel when it is best for your family. However, in order for students to get the most out of our program, connect with friends, and feel comfortable with the class content, we highly recommend regular attendance.
As a courtesy, if you are going to be absent, we ask that you let us know. As stated in our tuition policy, your financial commitment is for the semester, independent of the number of days you physically attend.
Do you have a sick policy?
Yes! We wish everyone optimal health, but we know illnesses sometimes occur. We ask that you join us in our concern for keeping germs to a minimum.
If anyone in your household has been vomiting in the last 4 days, please do not bring your student to school until all vomiting has subsided in your home for 4 days.
If your student has had a fever in the last 48 hours, please do not bring them to school. Likewise, if they have an active cough or runny nose, please keep them at home.
We trust your judgement and ask that you be as careful as possible when it comes to spreading germs. We realize it can be very disappointing for the student to have to miss school when they only attend one day per week. It will likely happen to all of us. If you miss school due to an illness, the teachers will fill you in on what was missed and save any supplies for your student so you can make up the lessons at home.
Do you have a dress code?
No, but we do a lot of artwork, movement, outdoor play, and gardening in all of our age groups so please wear clothes that can get dirty and allow unrestricted movement. Please dress your student(s) appropriately for the weather.
Do you have a Facebook group?
Yes, https://www.facebook.com/groups/661524814318452. We use a separate, private Facebook group to share photos from our day and make important announcements.
Are you affiliated with a church or religion?
No.
Does this mean my religion or beliefs might be condemned or challenged? Will my child be taught things that go against my religion or beliefs?
Absolutely not. We do not incorporate religion into our lessons, but many of our students and staff are religious. As parents, one of the reasons we homeschool is so that we can be the primary influence on our children at this age, and we respect the parents’ choice to be this. Everyone at our school will be valued and treated equally no matter what their beliefs are.
What is your discipline policy?
At The Dreamers’ School, we strive to create an inclusive environment that benefits all the members of this community. We use restorative discipline practices in our program. If a child is behaving out-of-sorts or disruptively, we work with the parent and child to help them feel more at ease, engaged, confident, and included. If a student is disrupting class, we ask the teacher to engage the assistance of one of our administrative staff so that we can help sort out the issue.
We let students know they have the right to:
✓ Be in a safe and supportive learning environment.
✓ Behave appropriately and know what behaviors may result in disciplinary actions.
✓ Be counseled by members of the staff in matters related to behavior as it affects my experience, my peers’ experience, and the welfare of the school.
✓ Be treated with respect by staff and peers.
✓ Voice concerns at the appropriate time and in an appropriate manner.
Steps that may be taken if a student breeches the behavior policy:
✓The student may have to sit outside of the classroom with a staff member if disruption/behavior does not cease with repeated attempts from the teacher or staff member to redirect the student.
✓ May require that a parent/guardian pick up the student from school if deemed appropriate by staff.
✓ May require my student to enter a probationary period, as outlined in an agreement reached by parents and Dreamers staff, to remain a student at The Dreamers’ School.
✓ May result in my student being asked to leave The Dreamers’ School effective immediately, or when deemed appropriate by staff.
We do not have the proper services or training to create a safe and fulfilling environment for students with some behavioral or special needs. It is important for both the staff and parents to understand when The Dreamers’ School is not the best place for a student to thrive. We reserve the right to ask any student to not return to Dreamers when we recognize that we are not the best fit to meet a student’s needs. In all cases, it is our hope to work with you to help your child and build them up in confidence and self-esteem.
Do you offer field trips?
Yes, we do offer various field trips throughout the year for our students and their families.
Does my child need to bring lunch and snacks from home?
Yes. We do have snack and lunch times each day and all food must be brought from home. Please be sure to pack healthy lunches and snacks for your child. Having a protein at snack and lunch is very important, and we ask that you do not send any sugary snacks or sides. Candy is not allowed. We ask that water be the only drink that you provide. Sodas and juices are discouraged.
**Please be aware that we are a sesame and peanut-free school. Due to the severity of students' allergies, no peanut products or products produced in a facility with peanuts are allowed.** Please ask your child not to share food with other children. Many of our students have varying food allergies, and for safety reasons, we have a no-food-sharing policy.
What does my child need to bring to school each day?
Your child should bring a healthy lunch, a healthy snack, a water bottle and any lesson materials requested by the teacher for that day. Bringing a backpack in order to carry school materials/crafts is encouraged.
When we enroll, what is the financial commitment?
Tuition may be paid in full each semester or in monthly increments. If tuition is being paid monthly, please note that if, for any reason, your child is unable to finish out the semester, you are still financially responsible for the full semester's tuition. We use your payment commitment to guarantee our teachers' salaries, rental contracts and liability insurance contract for the semester. Your submission of the online registration form is acceptance of this financial commitment.
We keep our class sizes small because we feel this creates a better environment for students and teachers. For this reason, we depend on each student’s tuition to cover our costs.
The supply fee and registration fee are non-refundable, even if you decide not to attend The Dreamers’ School after registering. Our small classes fill up very quickly and we turn people away due to full classes. Your payment is a commitment to the best of your knowledge that your student will take that spot for the semester.
Monthly tuition payments are due every four weeks. We ask for your help in paying your tuition promptly to avoid the need to track down payments.
Are scholarships an accepted form of payment?
The Dreamers’ School is not able to accept scholarships as a form of payment at the current time. However, check back for updates regarding The Dreamers’ School possibly becoming a direct vendor for scholarships in the future. Currently, some families choose to pay out of pocket and then submit a request for reimbursement from their scholarship provider directly.
Certain scholarship programs may require families to provide teacher certificate documentation prior to reimbursement. The presence of a certified teacher or a teacher who would qualify your student for a scholarship at The Dreamers’ School can vary each semester. If your child has a class with a teacher who is certified, it is up to the teacher if they would like to provide their certification information to families.
It is up to the family to do the required research to receive their scholarship. We can only guarantee to provide the invoice for your paid tuition.
When is tuition due?
The non-refundable once-per-year registration fee is due at the time of registration, along with the non-refundable once-per-semester supply fee via the ProCare app. Please note that we cannot hold your child's spot in the class unless these fees are paid. It is likely that we have a full roster, so for this reason, we accept students on a first-come, first-serve basis based on registration and supply fee payment. Our breakdown of tuition and fees is available on the Admissions page and under Our Programs section.
You may pay tuition in full or in monthly installments. Tuition is due on the first of each month.
Late payments are subject to a $25 late fee per invoice.
Tuition Due Dates
The 2024-2025 school calendar and tuition due dates are listed here: https://thedreamersschoolorlando.com/calendar
The 2025-2026 school calendar and tuition due dates are listed here: https://thedreamersschoolorlando.com/calendar-20252026