Mission and Values
Our Mission
The Waldorf School of Princeton, part of a rapidly growing global educational movement, offers a compelling alternative to mainstream education in central New Jersey.
We are dedicated to igniting each child’s unique potential and passions, instilling self-confidence, and inspiring achievement with a strong moral compass. We lead our students towards high accomplishment without fitting them into standardized norms. Our rich interdisciplinary curriculum is distinct in the way we integrate the academic, the artistic, and the practical in every lesson.
The pace, priorities, and practices of Waldorf education are guided by the insights about child development first introduced 100 years ago by the pedagogical innovator Rudolf Steiner. This approach is firmly validated by neuroscience and proven to help students grow and flourish intellectually, emotionally and socially. They become curious, caring and engaged citizens of their local and global communities. Today, our approach to education is more relevant than ever.
Our Values
We work to offer an education that develops the whole child—head, heart, and hands / thinking, feeling, and willing / intellectually, spiritually, and morally—based on the principles set forth by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in his lectures and writings and adapted for a changing world.
We strive to foster in our students a lifelong love of learning by giving them the academic and practical skills necessary to meet life’s tasks.
We believe that mutual respect and support should be at the heart of all relationships.
Our goal is to hold a community of students, teachers, parents, staff, alumni, and friends, based upon the educational and social teachings of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, so that we may be a positive influence on the world around us.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Waldorf School of Princeton is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive community where people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, nationalies, and identities are warmly welcome. We denounce all forms of discriminiation and intolerance. Our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is collaborative work that affects every part of our school.
While we are proud to celebrate 100 years of Waldorf education with our fellow schools across the globe, we recognize that changes must be made for this education to reflect the modern world and our responsibilities as human beings. Our experienced Early Childhood and Grade School faculty is working continuously to reexamine and revise our curriculum, while also exploring methods to bring this education to our students in new, relevant ways. This work is informed by our teachers’ deep understanding of Waldorf Education pedagogy, as well as the training and studies that they are participating in with a focus on DEI.
We stand in agreement with the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA), who has stated “We acknowledge that Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education (1919), offered many profound insights that support the value and dignity of each human being and form the foundation of our organization’s histories and worldview. Yet, he also made statements that reflect harmful assertions regarding race and ethnicity. These assertions do not form part of Waldorf education and do not reflect our values. Racism, explicit or implicit, stands in direct conflict to the fundamental principles of Waldorf education. We commit to working to address any dehumanizing or disparaging aspects of our history and practices.”
This is a living statement, and the actions we are taking are ongoing. We invite you to join us as we continue in this work together.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Waldorf School of Princeton welcomes students and employees of any color; race; sexual orientation; ethnic, national, cultural, social, or religious backgrounds; and any other characteristic protected by law in its admissions and employment practices, as well as in participation in its programs and events.