named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Classroom Business Initiative
Sixth-grade project where students design and run a business, learning financial literacy, collaboration, and social responsibility, often donating profits to community causes.
Early Childhood Program
Offers preschool and kindergarten classes including Little Acorns, Rainbow Bridge, Evergreen, Maple, and Rose Kindergarten, focusing on play-based, nature-connected learning aligned with Waldorf principles.
Individual Research Projects
Capstone project for eighth graders involving months of self-directed research, culminating in a presentation to the student body on topics ranging from history to engineering.
Middle Grades Curriculum
Arts-integrated academic program for grades 6-8 emphasizing critical thinking, hands-on projects, and experiential learning in subjects like history, chemistry, and business.
Practical Arts Program
Hands-on instruction in woodworking, handwork, and movement for grades 3-8, fostering focus, problem-solving, and physical engagement with learning.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 2 activities
- Implement specialized Waldorf pedagogical practicesEmploys signature teaching methods including multi-year class teachers (grades 1–5), daily two-hour main lesson blocks focused on one subject for 3–4 weeks, student-created main lesson books, and academic instruction through storytelling, baking, and woodworking. Arts and crafts are integrated into core academics to deepen understanding and develop cognitive skills.
- Offer homeschool integration programProvides a homeschool blending program that allows homeschooling families to participate in middle school main lesson blocks for grades 6–8, fully integrating them into core academic instruction alongside full-time students since 2013.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Conduct teacher training and educational outreachEngages in capacity building through Waldorf teacher training at Sunbridge Institute and leads educational outreach initiatives such as the monthly “Windows on Waldorf” series to share the strengths and qualities of Waldorf education with the broader community.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Deliver summer programs for childrenOperates two summer camp programs: an Early Childhood program for ages 3–6 and a Lower School program for grades 1–5, both emphasizing outdoor activities, hands-on learning, and weekly themed programming with daily water play at the Forest campus.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Offer experiential and project-based learningProvides hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences such as student-run class businesses in sixth grade, chemistry experiments with observational drawing in seventh grade, self-directed research projects in eighth grade, and grade-specific trips including a sailing trip and a student-planned culminating journey. History is taught through biographies and contextual discussion rather than rote memorization.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Operate early childhood and parent-child programsRuns early childhood programs with an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio in a sensory-rich, home-like setting, supporting play, exploration, and self-care. Also offers playgroups for children ages 9 months to 3½ years and their caregivers, featuring free play, songs, snack time, and discussions on child development and Waldorf education.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide screen-free, nature-integrated learning environmentOffers a completely screen-free school day and emphasizes outdoor play, forest walks, gardening, and hands-on activities with natural materials across all grade levels. The approach supports cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in all seasons and weather conditions.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Support inclusive and individualized educationProvides special education support for students with IEPs using individualized, game-based instruction and offers sliding-scale tuition for kindergarten programs based on family income to increase accessibility.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Deliver Waldorf-based PreK-8 educationOperates an independent PreK-8 school grounded in Waldorf principles, integrating experiential academics, arts, movement, and handwork to support holistic student development. The program serves children from 18 months through 8th grade across Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School divisions, with a structured curriculum emphasizing rhythm, main lesson blocks, and deep subject immersion.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.99M
Contributions & grants$65K2%
Program service revenue$1.19M40%
Investment income$1.73M58%
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$1.79M
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.30M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.99M
Cash$1.56M
Investments$31K
Liabilities$715K
Net assets$1.27M
Liquid reserves10.7 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +113.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 8
- ELIZABETH BRADLEY — SECRETARY
- JEN LUTZ — DIRECTOR
- JULIE NILES — TREASURER
- KIERE NEULANDER — BOARD CHAIR
- KIMBERLY SPEERSCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL WHITNEY — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE VAN ZANDT — DIRECTOR
- VIOLETA PAVOLDI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Admissions Office Partner — Contact point for homeschool families to confirm availability in the blending program
- Albany Chess Center Partner — Partners with Albany Chess Center to host a week-long Summer Chess Camp for children ages 5–12.
- Alkion Center Partner — Waldorf teacher training program partner.
- Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) Network — Member of the national network supporting Waldorf education in North America.
- Harvard Graduate School of Education Network — Cited as a source of research supporting play-based learning.
- Joanne Fuson Partner — Special education teacher providing individualized, game-based instruction for students with IEPs.
- Kairos Futura Partner — Social enterprise founded by Waldorf alum Emily Ajax Phillips.
- Saratoga County Partner — Serves families throughout Saratoga County.
- Saratoga TODAY Partner — Media partner that has covered the school's summer programs.
- Sophia’s Hearth Partner — Teacher education partner for early childhood certification.
- Sunbridge Institute Partner — Partner institution where faculty teach Waldorf teacher training.
- Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs Network — Part of the broader Waldorf education network, following its pedagogical model.
- Warren County Partner — Serves families throughout Warren County.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Developmentally Appropriate, Experiential Learning with Arts Integrationmethodology: developmentally_appropriate_pacingBy aligning curriculum pacing and content with children's cognitive, emotional, and physical development stages, and embedding hands-on, artistic, and movement-based learning across subjects, the school fosters deep engagement, confidence, and holistic growth because children learn best through direct experience and age-appropriate challenges.
- Holistic Assessment and Teacher Looping for Individualized Supportmethodology: holistic-assessmentBy using narrative assessments instead of grades and maintaining long-term teacher-student relationships through looping, the school supports individual progress, emotional security, and personalized learning because continuous, qualitative feedback and stable relationships enable deeper understanding of each student’s needs and growth.
- Phenomenological and Nature-Based Learning to Cultivate Wondermethodology: phenomenological_science_educationBy introducing science through direct observation of natural phenomena and immersing young children in outdoor, nature-based play, the school builds curiosity, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship because experiential wonder precedes and grounds theoretical understanding.
- Respectful Caregiving and Parent Education Through Participationmethodology: respectful_caregivingBy applying respectful caregiving practices rooted in Pikler and Gerber principles and involving parents directly in playgroups and observations, the school strengthens early development and family understanding because consistent, child-led interactions and informed caregivers create secure, supportive developmental ecosystems.
- Screen-Free, Phone-Free Environment to Support Focus and Social-Emotional Developmentmethodology: screen-free_educationBy eliminating screens and digital devices from the learning environment, the school cultivates deeper concentration, creativity, interpersonal connection, and resilience because face-to-face interaction and tactile engagement are essential for healthy child development and sustained attention.