“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

Summerfield has, since its inception, upheld the practice of self-governance, or being a ‘teachers’ republic’. In 2016-17 the College of Teachers and Board of Directors led a process in which Summerfield renewed our commitment to being a teacher-led school.

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 Governance Council and Board of Directors. New College members are invited by standing College members and consensus agreement.

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 Governance Council 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 All-School Administrator

The All-School Administrator is a Teacher with both insight into the educational life of a Waldorf school and proven skills in business management and organizational development, they are responsible for overseeing, coordinating and finalizing decisions in all matters concerning the day-to-day administrative and educational life of the school. In addition, the All-School Administrator 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, for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, of a single administrator 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. 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.