1. VISIT
The best way to get to know Steiner is to come visit. On monthly walks through both our indoor and outdoor classrooms (see the full schedule under “Admissions: Open House”), you’ll experience the “aliveness” that sets Steiner apart and learn how Waldorf education meets your child’s curiosity, creativity and need for action with learning that also builds self-esteem, character, empathy and leadership.
Starting at 9am in the Steiner library—the original school building, a classic Berkshires timber frame barn—you’ll visit grades 1 through 8, tour art studios and gardens, and meet faculty, alumni and current parents. Families interested in the early childhood program for children 2 years, 9 months through 6 will also visit early childhood classes and activities.
We welcome visitors year-round. During the summer, please call (413)528-4015 x. 106 or email admissions@gbrss.org to arrange a personal tour.
PS We’ll be moving quickly though many transitions, so we look forward to meeting your child/ren in step 2.
2. APPLY
Children are eligible for our mixed-age early childhood classes when they are 2 years, 9 months old by September and potty-trained.
To apply, please provide:
- Completed application
- $50 application fee (per student)
- Teacher’s Reference for students with prior school
experience (waived for students moving up from Steiner Parent-Child Garden classes)
Children are eligible for first grade in the fall when they are age 6 by June 1.
To apply to grades 1-8, please provide:
- Completed application
- $50 application fee (per student)
- Copies of student’s previous reports or grades
- Teacher’s Reference for transfer students
- Signed Transcript Release form for previous school(s)
Click on the links for admissions forms (also available under the “Admissions” Tab, in “Admissions Forms”). We need to receive all these materials to consider a student’s application, but they may not ensure its continuation. The Steiner School accepts admissions throughout the year, provided there is room available in the class. We offer sliding scale tuition based on your adjusted gross income for early childhood and grades students, as well as generous scholarships for grades 1-8, once your child has been accepted. You’ll find current tuition rates at “Annual Tuition Rates,” and more information about sliding scale tuition and additional tuition support on our “Tuition Support” page.
For early childhood programs, once we’ve received your child’s application, a class teacher will call you to arrange a play date with you and your child in an early childhood classroom.
For first grade, once we receive your child’s application and teacher’s reference, our next step is to arrange your child’s “visit to the Red Queen,” a first grade-readiness session that feels like fun and games to the children. Your child will go on this visit in the classroom with the first grade teacher and another member of the first-grade readiness faculty. Afterwards, the teachers will also meet with you. When enrollment for first grade nears capacity, priority is given to current early childhood students.
For students entering grades 2-8, once we receive and review all admissions materials, the class teacher and a subject teacher may arrange a meeting with you and your child. If the class teacher would like to move ahead with the application, s/he will invite your child to spend at least two consecutive days in the classroom. During the class visit, another teacher will also meet with your child. Based on this visit, if the class teacher would like to move forward with the application, s/he will arrange a meeting with you.
- Our school’s suitability for the child’s age, ability and individual educational needs.
- Whether the applicant is compatible with the efficient education of children already placed in the school. We aim to maintain a healthy constellation of pupils in each class.
- Whether we have the resources to meet the student’s needs. Children who are not doing well in other schools often flourish at Steiner, but there are learning and behavioral challenges that are beyond our scope. In some cases, children may be accepted on a trial basis. Additionally, a child joining a class in grade or middle school may need individual tutoring support in specific subjects, such as foreign language learning or music, to participate comfortably with their class. Individual tutoring is the responsibility of the parents.
- Although we especially welcome pupils from other Waldorf schools, Steiner admissions policies still apply.
After your child’s interview or visit, we’ll send a letter notifying you of your application status. If your child is accepted, you will also receive an email link to complete online enrollment forms, including:
- Tuition agreement
- School health forms and immunization record/waiver
- Student permission form
The tuition agreement in TADS.com will let you select payment options for the year. You can opt to pay the enrollment deposit right in TADS or pay by check. The $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit reserves your child’s place at Steiner, and is applied to the cost of tuition for the year. Once your child is accepted, if you would like to apply for adjusted tuition based on your income, please see instructions on our tuition support page.
To register for Parent-Child classes, visit “Parent-Child Garden” under the Programs Tab, or http://gbrss.org/curriculum/parent-child-garden
For admissions of high school students, ages 14-18, at our affiliated Berkshire Waldorf High School in Stockbridge, MA, contact Admissions Director Samantha Stier at admissions@berkshirewaldorf.com or (413)298-3800.
