Four Winds Waldorf School

J. Roy: I am very pleased with the academic and arts program Four Winds offers.  It nurtures creativity and independent thinking rather than rote learning.  I seldom hear my children say they are bored;  when looking for something to do, they will read, draw, or figure out something to play (and not video games).  The teachers are A+ and the teaching methodology is designed to fit the child rather than the other way around. My family has been at the school 5 years and we are happy we chose Four Winds for our kids,

Four Winds Waldorf School is an amazing school.  We wanted an environment where our son would experience the joy of learning rather than be pushed so hard academically that he would be turned off to learning.  This is the perfect school.  The environment is warm and nurturing and the teachers are excellent.  The curriculum is not driven by standardized tests.  It is a very rich curriculum and the class sizes are very small.  Our son is very happy here.

C. Goldberg: We were fortunate enough to find Four Winds almost by accident 5 years ago when looking for alternatives to typical park district classes for a parent-child experience for our then-toddler. Once we set foot in Four Winds, we knew we had certainly found something very different and special. The classrooms were warm and serene, the sense of a strong and invested community was apparent, and the connection between teachers and children was unlike anything that I had seen in schools before. The teachers really partner with families to create a learning and growing experience that nurtures children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Children at Four Winds are honored for who they are, and educated in a very active and meaningful way. If you're looking for passive learning where kids sit in their desks for prolonged periods of time and count the minutes until the subject is over-look elsewhere. When I asked my child what she feels makes Four Winds special she responded, "I like that I get to make up ideas."

K.  Dytrych: I have been a parent at the school since 1998 and have observed my children thrive in a warm, loving, caring environment.  With an emphasis on teaching in a manner that builds  imagination, intelligence, and confidence, Waldorf Education has contributed to my children's health and happiness. I observe my children take on challenges that I never could as a child, and I am amazed at what they have accomplished.  My daughter has successfully transitioned to a public HS this year, and continues to enjoy learning. Her confidence, ability to adapt, and willingness to try new things without hesitancy, with a belief that she will succeed are all qualities I am grateful for. I believe her unique education has contributed immensely. My 5th grade son, shy and cautious as a toddler in new and familiar situations, has grown into a happy, gregarious, smiling boy, comfortable in his surroundings.  I know that the environment, curriculum and teaching style of the school has helped him grow into a capable, creative, and intelligent boy.

Brian Smith: Our daughter is now 11 and has been enrolled at Four Winds since she was three.  What impresses me most about the school is how the staff instill in each child the desire and drive to learn.  My daughter loves to get up each morning and go to school.  Her curriculum is extremely well-rounded, including two languages, handwork, choir, orchestra, movement/games (this year her class will compete with other schools in a pentathalon).  Her class just finished state projects this month where each student chooses a state.  The projects include a written and verbal report, 3-D topographical map, performances of state songs, and sharing of foods originating from the state.  My daughter had several of her friends over this weekend and every single one of them could name their state flower, date their state became a state, state bird, state tree, the major rivers and lakes in the state, state song, and cover the history of the state.  They really LEARNED about their subject by immersing themselves in every aspect of their subject.  Not just memorizing some key facts.

Julie Oberweis: After 3 years of the preschool we made the jump to 1st grade this year. Our daughter is thriving and can't wait to go to school every morning. My husband and I are very pleased with her developing love of learning. Waldorf does not drill concepts into the children but rather spends the time to explore concepts completely. At the end of the day though, it is the teachers that make this school outstanding. My husband and I are constantly impressed with the teachers passion and energy to always go above and beyond in the best interest of the kids.

S Subash: This school is one of a kind and brought a lot of positive changes in my daughter and has shaped to be a very well rounded individual in a very short period of time. Highly recommend this school for anyone.