On behalf of everyone
at Central Coast Waldorf School, welcome!

We share your desire to provide children with a loving, nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and discover the world around them. From Preschool through Eighth Grade, our school is alive with the joy of learning. Through a Waldorf education, our teachers bring intention, creativity, and care to their work, nurturing the whole child—head, heart, and hands.

We welcome families who are curious about a different approach to education and invite you to experience our school firsthand. Take time to learn about our curriculum, methods, and community, visit our campus, and discover whether the values and rhythms of Waldorf education feel like the right fit for your family.

ADMISSIONS MISSION STATEMENT

In enrolling students and families to our educational program and community, we are committed to offering an admissions process that meets the needs of the whole (which includes: students, families, teachers, classrooms, and the school).  We achieve this end by following these guiding principles:

  • To enroll families who are willing and committed partners in becoming educated in Waldorf principles, following our agreements and policies, and striving to be open-hearted and open-minded member of our Waldorf community;
  • To enroll families who are willing to be engaged, both in and out of the classroom through contribution, participation, and volunteerism;
  • To enroll students and families with a diversity of backgrounds that reflects our greater San Luis Obispo county community;
  • To enroll students whose unique needs can be supported while honoring the balance of the whole class;
  • To enroll students and families in a manner that supports the long term stability and resilience of our classrooms and program.

 

age & grade placement policy

 

At Central Coast Waldorf School, we recognize that children develop at their own individual pace. Our curriculum and teaching methods are designed around the developmental stages of childhood, and age is one important factor we consider when determining the appropriate grade placement.

In keeping with Waldorf schools and their developmental approach, we use June 1 as our age-based placement benchmark, rather than the September 1 cutoff commonly used in other school settings.

Early Childhood

  • Preschool: Children must be 3 years old and fully potty trained to begin the program.
  • Transitional Kindergarten (TK): Children must be 4 years old by June 1 of the year they begin the program. They will turn 5 during the school year.
  • Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years old by June 1 of the year they begin the program. They will turn 6 during the school year.

Grades 1–8

For the grades, a child must meet the age requirement by June 1 of the year they enter the grade.

For example, a child entering 1st Grade in Fall 2027 must be 6 years old by June 1, 2027. Likewise, a child entering 2nd Grade must be 7 by June 1, 3rd Grade must be 8 by June 1, and so on.

This approach allows our faculty to create classrooms in which students are developmentally aligned and ready to engage with the curriculum and learning experiences appropriate to their stage of childhood.

We understand that age-based placement policies can sometimes raise questions for families, particularly when a child’s birthday falls close to the June 1 benchmark. While individual children have unique developmental needs, we generally do not make exceptions to our age placement policy. This consistency helps us maintain the developmental integrity of our programs and classrooms.

If you have questions about your child’s age or grade placement, our faculty and Administrative Director are happy to speak with you and provide additional context about the Waldorf approach to developmental readiness.

Admissions & Enrollment Policies

Non-Discrimination Policy

Central Coast Waldorf School is non-sectarian and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, political affiliation, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment, educational, administrative, admission, and school programs and practices. We are committed to multicultural education, and to a diversified student body and faculty. Central Coast Waldorf School is committed to the support and respect for the dignity and worth of each member of our community. Central Coast Waldorf School complies with all applicable state and federal nondiscrimination statutes.

Immunization Policy

At Central Coast Waldorf School, our students’ overall health is always a priority and concern. Like all public and private schools in California, our school must follow the immunization requirements put in place by the state. California requires all students to be immunized before attending school; therefore, families must provide immunization records before the student begins classes. Here is the immunization schedule for students in California. In California, immunization records are checked when a child enters a preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade or when transferring to a new school. Children may not attend a school or a childcare facility until they have received all required immunizations for their age or have a valid medical exemption. The state allows for medical exemptions in specific circumstances. Please visit the California Department of Public Health website for the state’s exemption policy.
 

Enrollment Policy
As an approved independent school CCWS follows these enrollment policies:

1) All applications to CCWS shall be made voluntarily.

2) No student shall be denied acceptance for enrollment in CCWS on the basis of disability (as defined in Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended), or that the student is eligible for special education or undergoing the comprehensive evaluation process for special education, or on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by federal or state law.

3) CCWS may make acceptance decisions based on considerations including:

  1. a) order in which applications are received
  2. b) enrollment of other family members
  3. c) if the student’s parent/guardian is employed by CCWS
  4. d) meeting minimum academic or extracurricular activity preparation requirements, 
  5. e) student and family agreement with the school’s educational philosophy, 
  6. f) family willingness to promptly pay invoices for tuition, fees, and other student expenses; and(h)  None of the foregoing considerations shall disadvantage a student based on the student’s membership in a protected class, the student’s actual or suspected disability, or the student’s socioeconomic status.

4) If the number of applicants to CCWS exceeds capacity, enrollment decisions shall be based first upon continuing to enroll previously enrolled students and then upon considerations itemized in paragraph 3 above.

5) CCWS considers every new enrollment conditional for the first three (3) weeks of attendance. This probationary period is for the school to ensure that it is the appropriate educational setting for the student. 

What is the overall goal of the admissions process?

The admissions process is designed to meet the needs of the whole; students, families, teachers, classrooms, and the school—by welcoming families who are ready to partner with and support Waldorf principles, policies, and community life.

How do we start the admissions process?

You begin by completing the online inquiry form; after you submit it, the Administrative Director will contact you and invite you to an information session and campus tour or Open House.

What kind of families is Central Coast Waldorf School hoping to enroll?

The school seeks families who feel called to Waldorf education, are willing to learn about its methods, follow school agreements and policies, engage through participation and volunteerism, and contribute to a diverse and open-hearted community.

What is the age and grade placement policy?

In alignment with many Waldorf schools, CCWS uses a June 1 cutoff date: Preschool begins at age 3 and potty trained; TK students are 4 by June 1; Kindergarten students are 5 by June 1; and a child must be 6 by June 1 to enter 1st Grade, with this age alignment continuing through the grades.

Does the school make exceptions to the age cutoff policy?

The school is not in the practice of making exceptions to the June 1 age cutoff, as this policy is considered to be in the best developmental interest of the child, though faculty or the Administrative Director are available to discuss questions or concerns with families.

Ready to find out more? Fill out our inquiry form.