Following the principles and pedagogy of Waldorf Education.
Learn MoreMountain Sunrise Academy is a tuition-free Public Waldorf K-8 charter school that opened in 2020! We are located along the north side of Utah Lake on the border of Lehi and Saratoga Springs.
Mountain Sunrise Academy is a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education and is adhering to best practices for public Waldorf Charters including following the principles and pedagogy of Waldorf Education.
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Waldorf education is based on the educational philosophy of founder, Dr. Rudolf Steiner. This pedagogy strives to develop students’ intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner.
Waldorf Education uses a developmental model that follows 3 distinct stages from ages 0-7, 7-14, and 14-21. Through the use of Waldorf methodology, children’s cognitive development and their natural love of learning are nourished by incorporating the unique developmental stages each child experiences into the curriculum and instruction.
The Waldorf developmental model engages the child in a healthy developmental and psychological way, which leads to children thriving intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Nature is highly valued in Waldorf Education. Classroom time includes much time outdoors including gardening classes and field trips. Natural materials in and outside the classroom are used where possible.
Waldorf education has a consistent philosophy of child development underlying the curriculum. Curriculum and content are introduced in line with appropriate neurological (brain development), physiological, and psychological developmental way. One example is younger children have a greater need for movement and the curriculum through the grades reflects that. Another example is use of media. Technology can be a great tool and in Waldorf schools it is introduced at a more developmentally appropriate time in the older grades.
Waldorf schools honor and protect the wonder of childhood. There is a focus on whole child development which recognizes human beings consist of body, soul, and spirit and have a rich inner life. Education is taught in a holistic way that engages thinking, artistic expression, and physical hands-on activities in experiential ways. This is often referred to as educating “head, heart, and hands.”
Waldorf education values creating a secure and nurturing environment for children which is why teachers ideally loop with their class in subsequent grades. This creates a rich, deep relationship and connection with teachers and students staying in the same group throughout the grades.
Waldorf Education has a rich multi-cultural focus in its curriculum through the grades and explores many cultures through literature, festivals, dance, art, and music. This creates value and respect for diversity and an appreciation for all people.
Finally, Waldorf schools produce graduates who have developed themselves in a holistic way. They have cultivated academic, artistic, emotional, social, moral, and physical capacities and also possess the 21st century learning ideals of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Throughout the grades, students have explored the adage “Know Thyself” and have developed the capacities to fulfill their life path purposes and desires.
Currently, there are more than 1,200 Waldorf schools and 1,700 kindergartens in 80 countries.
Approximately 202 Waldorf schools are currently operating in North America.
In 1919, Dr. Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher, scientist, and artist was invited to give a series of lectures to the workers of the Waldorf-Astoria factory in Stuttgart, Germany on education. From this place was derived the first school and name, Waldorf Education.
The Waldorf public school movement is currently expanding rapidly in the United States.
In 2010, there were 12 Waldorf-inspired public schools. In 2019, there were 54 such schools.
September 30-October 4
What is it?
Toward the end of September, Waldorf schools across the world celebrate a festival called Michaelmas. Michaelmas was a medieval harvest festival, but it’s also much more. It’s about courage. It’s about the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness. The Michaelmas story
tells of a dragon terrorizing a town full of villagers. St. Michael–armed with a sword of light and truth–defeats the dragon. He doesn’t kill it, he tames it. This story and this holiday teach us that even the biggest monsters get smaller when we face them with courage and truth. Although fear can drown us in shadows, darkness can’t stand up even against the light of a single candle.
Against the growing darkness of autumn and amid a world flooded with fear, Michaelmas urges us to kindle this inner light and to use it to face our inner dragons. The celebration of this holiday teaches the importance of facing fears and strengthening resolve.
Michaelmas falls near the autumn equinox, marking the end of the harvest and the summer. Although the weather still tends to be warm in our part of the world, the seasons will soon begin to change, and the days grow ever shorter. This shift marks a time of turning inward, a time of gathering strength to face the growing darkness.
How is it celebrated?
Here is a short video explaining Michaelmas and showing our festival celebrations at MSA.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ynKUH1ChxYPDU__ZCvX6mW2ZlbpeiXR/view?usp=drive_link
Michaelmas song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYUlGi5y5U
The second grade learns and performs a pageant telling the story of St. Michael
Room parents help teachers set up a small class party, complete with dragon bread, honey butter, and activities that help the students show courage.
MSA Traditions/Ideas
This is a festival largely celebrated by class. Most classes will organize a small party and have parents from your class bring in dragon bread. There is typically a special celebration for the kindergarteners organized by the school, and the 2nd graders perform a pageant and will be knighted in a ceremony that parents are invited to.