“Therefore we will structure the school not governmentally, but administratively, and manage it in a republican manner. In a true teachers’ republic, we will not be able to lean back and rest on the directives of a headmaster; we will have to bring to bear what gives each of us the possibility to take full responsibility for what we have to do. Each must be fully responsible. The role of the headmaster will be replaced by this preparatory seminar in which we will work to acquire the spirit that will unite the school. If we work hard, this seminar will engender in us our spirit of unity.” — Rudolf Steiner

The College

The College of Teachers is a body of faculty and staff who study the philosophical underpinnings of Waldorf pedagogy based on the work of Rudolf Steiner. The College is charged with the oversight and teacher development of the pedagogy of the whole school. Collegial support and development is also the purview of the College. The College serves as a consultative body to the School Director and Board of Directors. New College members are invited by standing College members and consensus agreement. The College meets weekly throughout the school year.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for the legal and financial aspects of Summerfield. Specifically, the Board focuses on long-range planning, strategic development, and fundraising. Day-to-day management of the school is mandated to the School Director and Section Core Groups. The Board meets the third Monday of each month, and meetings are public. There is an annual Corporation meeting in May. Visit the Parent Portal for a listing of Board Members.

The School Director

The School Director is an experienced teacher with both the insight into the educational life of a Waldorf school, and proven skills in business management and organizational development. The Director is responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and finalizing decisions in all matters concerning the day-to-day administrative and and educational life of the school. In addition, the School Director has been requested to take a proactive stance on all matters concerning the short-, middle, and long-term development of the school.

This interim position of a single administrator was created in 2023 and differs from our historical model of a Governance Council (GC), a group of teachers and administrators, The Board and the College of Teachers are still dedicated to the ideal of being a faculty-led school, and together we have been working with the faculty and staff on a cohesive vision for a governance of renewed vitality and community-building that will best support our school going into the future.

The Three School Sections

Each section of the school (Early Childhood, Lower School and High School) is overseen by a Core Group of experienced faculty that manages the administrative needs of that section.