WELCOME TO SUMMERFIELD WALDORF SCHOOL AND FARM
Request Information
Request our information packet and tell us about your child. We offer preschool through high school Waldorf education on our beautiful 38-acre campus and farm in Sonoma County. The school was established in 1974 and is the only school in the state with a working Biodynamic farm on its campus.
Visit Our School
Come and see first hand the richness and depth of Summerfield’s curriculum where experiential learning builds students’ capacities. Experience a day in the life of Sonoma County’s oldest independent school, where academic excellence is cultivated and inspired learning takes place daily.
Fill Out An Application
Thank you for considering Summerfield Waldorf as you embark on the journey of choosing a school for your family. Summerfield is uniquely positioned to engage its students and faculty, creating a learning environment that fosters the awakening consciousness and abilities of students academically, socially and artistically.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Farm to Feast is Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm’s annual, signature, springtime event.
Funds raised at Farm to Feast are used to support vital school programs, and empower us to maintain a school community that is socioeconomically diverse.
We build community by gathering at our farm and celebrating with the spirit of giving and gratitude.
Come join us!
We are excited to announce the return of summer camps to Summerfield Waldorf!
Come experience the beauty of our farm or the excitement of our circus! Our summer programs are a great way to get a taste of our school and Sonoma county. Please click link for details and to REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
Farm Camp: 4-10 years old, June 13-July 8
We will offer four, one-week sessions of Farm Camp starting June 13 and running through July 8. We meet Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 1pm (including the 4th of July). You may enroll your child in one session or up to all four sessions! Cost is $315 per week.
Circus Camp: 6-14 years old, June 13-July 1
For children ages 6-8, we offer three one-week sessions to choose from–or attend all three! We meet from 8:30am to 1pm daily and cost is $315 per week. For youth ages 9-14, we offer a two-week long session. We meet from 8:30am to 1pm daily and cost is $630. All skill levels are welcome.
After Care is available for these groups daily from 1 – 3:30pm at $20 per day.
Pushing Academics in Preschool is Harmful
A new comprehensive study of preschools across the United States finds significant drawbacks to pushing academics too early. For children who attended academic focused Pre-K programs, researchers found that their initial academic gains diminished. In addition, they were actually behind their peers in elementary and middle school. Another troubling finding was that students who experienced early academic pressure showed dramatic increases in behavioral issues later on. The NPR article, "A Top Researcher Says It's Time to Rethink Our Entire Approach to Preschool", by Anya Kamenetz states: [...]
One Teacher, Eight Years: How Teacher Looping Eases Learning Disruption
New studies show that a teacher educating the same group of students in multiple subjects over multiple years (teacher looping) has lasting benefits. Students who stay with the same teacher for multiple school years both academic improvements. They also have reductions in absences and behavioral issues. Teaching a child for multiple years allows teachers to better understand each student’s learning style, to work with families to help support students, and to challenge them to do their best work. Because of the clear benefits to teacher [...]
The Greatest Scientists are Artists Too
Louis Pastuer was a painter. Additionally, Albert Einstein and Francis Arnold were both accomplished musicians. New research shows that award winning scientists are far more likely to have artistic hobbies than the general public. Moreover, many Nobel Prize Winners cite the role of the arts in their scientific breakthroughs. Creativity and perseverance are at the heart of both scientific discovery and artistic expression. That is why music, drama, visual and practical arts are key components in Waldorf education and are integrated throughout our curriculum. “The Theory [...]
At all stages of education, Summerfield’s curriculum is designed to develop not only the student’s mind but also their character. It develops empathy, collaboration, and shared responsibility between students, teachers and the world around us, cultivating openness to possibilities and a sense of stewardship. Course content focuses on giving students an in-depth understanding of the subject at hand while providing them a context to work on themselves as emerging individuals.
Meaningful Learning
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm teaches students to be creative, critical thinkers with a strong moral compass, who are open and resilient, and can turn challenges into possibilities. This approach to learning integrates the arts with academic rigor, and experiential, hands-on activities. Students are provided with the opportunity to take risks, think imaginatively and embrace new opportunities with initiative, creativity, and resilience.
Creative, Critical Thinking
Summerfield is accredited by both AWSNA (the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America) and WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges). The courses offered exceed the University of California’s admissions requirements, and Summerfield students score consistently high on SAT scores for Sonoma County while enjoying acceptance at the colleges and universities of their choice. Summerfield high school students engage in a comprehensive study of a variety of disciplines.
A Proven Path to Success
Watch this brief video to learn more about our school.
Our Programs
Early Childhood
Our early childhood program provides children with a calm and joyful experience filled with magic and reverence.
Lower School
The lower school curriculum is dynamic and diversified, offering humanities, mathematics, science and the arts.
High School
The high school curriculum inspires students to be active in their own learning and understand how to educate themselves.
Alumni Testimonials
