Prairie Hill Waldorf School

"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility -these three forces are the very nerve of education."

- RUDOLF STEINER, founder of Waldorf Education

The future is asking a lot of our children. Waldorf education provides our students with the necessary foundation for adapting to our ever changing world. Our curriculum nurtures risk-takers, critical thinkers, future innovators and fearless leaders. Students graduate from our school armed with confidence, creativity and a unique sense of purpose.

Different by Design

Waldorf education is more relevant today than ever with a curriculum designed to inspire the best in each student.

Teaching With Intention

We offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education.

Our Admissions Process

Prairie Hill is currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 School Years for Wonder Garden (Pre-K) – Grade 8.

Go to Admissions

Visit us on Instagram for a glimpse into our days:

prairiehillwaldorf

Grade 1 has been sewing snowflake patterns with Mr

Grade 1 has been sewing snowflake patterns with Mrs. Decker. They've been busy practicing important fine motor skills while following a pattern! They finished these just in time to add these snowflakes to all snow we got this weekend ❄️❄️❄️

#snowflakes #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #grade1 #practicalarts #handwork #finemotorskills #sewing #pattern

Grade 3 is almost done with their auction project.

Grade 3 is almost done with their auction project... any guesses at what they are creating? 🧐

Don't miss out on this (and the many other projects) that will be available at the Gatsby Gala on February 11th! Today is the last day to purchase tickets for the event--- but did you know that you can also bid on items from the comfort of your own home? Items will be available to look at (and bid on!) starting February 6th at the link in our bio!

#gatsbygala #auction #fundraiser #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfschool #waldorfeducation

Summer Camp at Prairie Hill Whether skipping thro

Summer Camp at Prairie Hill

Whether skipping through the meadow, climbing trees, searching for frogs, or playing games with friends, campers in our Summer Camp are given a summer that helps them fully experience the world around them. The gentle rhythm of Waldorf education carries the campers throughout their day, ensuring a balance of activities.

Our themed weeks fill quickly! Check out the link in our bio for all the themes for both our Summer Garden Camp (ages 3-6) and our Summer Forest Camp (Grades 1-4)!

#summercamp #summer #wisconsinsummer #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #outdoorclassroom #rainorshine

Jump! Jump! Jump! . . . You can spy some of our cl

Jump! Jump! Jump!
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You can spy some of our classes gathering in our courtyard each morning (rain or shine!) to jump rope! Not only is it fun but it has inherent value beyond the obvious health benefits.

Jumping rope....
*can help improve one's cognitive function because it involves learning new motor patterns, which improves the nervous system communication between one's brain, wrists, and lower leg muscles. This, in turn, helps to improve one's overall cognitive function.

*aids in the development of the left and right hemispheres of your brain, which further enhances spatial awareness, improves reading skills, increases memory, and makes one more mentally alert.

*improves cardiorespiratory, heart health, and stamina, as well as improves how efficiently one breathes.

*increases the elasticity and resiliency of lower-leg muscles, leading to a reduced risk of lower-leg injuries.

*...and helps one find their rhythm.

#jumpingrope #jumprope #prairiehillwaldorfschool #phws #movement #outdoorclassroom #headhearthands #jump

Korean Lunar New Year - 설날 (Seollal) . . . Yes

Korean Lunar New Year - 설날 (Seollal)
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Yesterday the middle school students celebrated the Korean New Year (Lunar New Year) with our new friend, Seonjoo, by making origami cards, learning to write phrases like "happy new year" in Korean, tasting traditional dishes and learning about traditional Korean clothing, customs and traditions.

#lunarnewyear #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfeducation #waldorfschool

“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper t

“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” ― Charles Dickens

#chalkboardart #grade8 #prairiehillwaldorfschool #phws #waldorfeducation #charlesdickens

The students have been working hard on their Aucti

The students have been working hard on their Auction projects this week! We are excited to see how they turn out...👀

They will be on display the week before the event and be available for mobile bidding; so that anyone can bid on them even if they can't make it to the Auction!

#auction #gatsbygala #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfschool #waldorfeducation

It is Ms. Torinus' ( Miss Liz to the little kids!)

It is Ms. Torinus' ( Miss Liz to the little kids!) birthday today and the first grade class surprised her with handmade birthday cards to her office this afternoon.

We are grateful to have such a community of big, caring hearts!

#birthday #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorf #waldorfeducation #community #connection #actsofkindness

Slow Down and Connect

The early years of a child’s life are full of wonder and joy while also being the most critical years of development. Parent-Child Playgroup at Prairie Hill not only provides children a rich environment for exploration and play, but also offers parents support in creating a healthy home life.

Deepen your relationship with your child as you enter their world of imagination, initiative, and wonder. Enjoy this opportunity to increase awareness of your amazing role as parent, and learn creative and simple ways to support your child’s developing capacities.

Join Miss Mara this spring in a *mostly* outdoor Playgroup session!

Find out more information at the link in our bio!

#playgroup #phws #prairiehillwaldorf #outdoorclassroom #connection #springiscoming #letthembelittle

On the Stage. Drama is an integral part of the Wa

On the Stage.

Drama is an integral part of the Waldorf curriculum in which all children participate. Through drama the students have the unique and essential opportunity to strengthen who they are and to experience what they are not.

Through the years, the students will try on many different roles, walk in many different shoes and speak through many different voices. They begin to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the other. As they explore the feelings of others, they learn to express and control their own feelings and learn to acknowledge and control their own behavior.

Our 8th Grade put on a performance of the Christmas Carol with just SIX students! Each student had a hand in creating the set and backdrop as well as learning all their lines. They definitely brought this classic to life! Bravo!

#drama #theatre #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfschool #waldorfeducation #grade8 #christmascarol #performance

You're Invited! Shimmy and foxtrot at an evening

You're Invited!

Shimmy and foxtrot at an evening of glitz and glamour, with fine cuisine, entertainment, and incredible live and silent auction items!

Tickets can be purchased from the link in our bio!

Use code EARLY through Jan 13th for $25 off!

#auction #gatsbygala #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfschool #community #party

"If you go out when it's snowing And look up at th

"If you go out when it's snowing
And look up at the sky,
You'll feel lots of icy kisses
As the snowflakes flutter by."
-Barbara Vance

The children are shining examples of 'enjoy what you have while you have it'...they sure do make the best of winter! Our property is speckled with snow forts, giant snowballs and the most stunning icy creations ❄️

#winter2022 #outdoorclassroom #recess #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #wisconsinwinter #lakecountry #pewaukee #waldorfeducation #waldorfschool #waldorf #nature #seasons #snow #winter

Santa Lucia. This festival of lights originated i

Santa Lucia.

This festival of lights originated in Scandinavian culture to celebrate the life of St. Lucia - patron saint of light and the blind.

Santa Lucia, according to legend, brought food and aid to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs and wore a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her path, leaving her hands free to carry supplies. (The name Lucy means 'light'! ✨)

It is tradition for second grade to prepare sweet saffron rolls and dress in white gowns; sharing their voices, light and treats with the other classes.
Santa Lucia is a symbol of hope and light during the dark of Winter.

#grade2 #santalucia #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfschool #waldorf #waldorfeducation #light #festivaloflight #winter #tradition #festival

Winter Spiral Winter - the darkest time of year,

Winter Spiral

Winter - the darkest time of year, when the days are the shortest and the nights are the longest - is when light festivals are celebrated around the world, from Chanukah to the Tibetans’ celebration of Sang-Joe to the East Indian Diwali. At Prairie Hill, and many Waldorf schools throughout the world, we participate with a Winter Spiral.

It is a true reflection of taking the time to "keep your flame alight" in these cold, dark winter months, of nourishing yourself, slowing down and appreciating the sparks of beauty and silence when we can catch them. The journey each individual takes through the spiral also represents an inner journey to find their own light within. In the very center of ourselves, we discover our own beauty, strength, insight, and gifts that we offer the world. We then carry our gifts of radiance back out into the world.

It is beautiful to see the spiral slowly illuminate with the light each individual brings.

#spiral #winterspiral #light #festivaloflight #prairiehillwaldorf #waldorfschool

Grade 1 Experience The First Grade parents gather

Grade 1 Experience

The First Grade parents gathered for an evening with Mrs. Johnson to learn about what their students have been up to so far this year! They got to try their hand at some clapping games as well as wet on wet watercolor painting.

We think their pieces turned out pretty great, what do you think?

#grade1 #experience #experientiallearning #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #waldorfeducation #watercolor

Visualizing Vibrations Grade 6 discovered the ima

Visualizing Vibrations

Grade 6 discovered the imagery of sound using Chladni plates and violin bows.

In the late 18th century, German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni demonstrated how vibrations could be used to create striking imagery. By spreading fine sand across the top of a metal plate and running a violin bow alongside, Chladni showed that the sand would settle into distinct patterns, depending on the frequencies of the sound waves produced by the bow.

Every object has a characteristic frequency, or frequencies, at which it vibrates most, with the least input of energy. Those vibrations are associated with standing wave patterns called modes. When the Chladni plate, for instance, vibrates in one of its modes, a pattern appears in the sand on the plate.

#vibrations #sound #science #prairiehillwaldorf #waldorf #waldorfschool #experientiallearning

You're Invited! Prairie Hill Waldorf Schools' 8th

You're Invited!
Prairie Hill Waldorf Schools' 8th Grade Class Presents:
'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens

Where: Prairie Hill Gymnasium
When: December 2nd at 7:00 PM

A Christmas Carol is a play about a mean-spirited and selfish old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas. One cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge is unkind to the people who work for him, then refuses to give to charity, and then is rude to his nephew when he invites him to spend Christmas with him. When Scrooge gets home, he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Marley – and then by three ghosts! They are the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. The ghosts’ journey through time teaches Scrooge the error of his ways. When he wakes up on Christmas Day, he is full of excitement, and buys the biggest turkey in the shop for the Cratchit family before spending the day with his nephew, full of the joys of Christmas.

#christmascarol #grade8 #prairiehillwaldorf #phws #theatre #ebenezerscrooge

Wonder Garden: Age 3 How do you help your friends

Wonder Garden: Age 3

How do you help your friends?

"When a friend falls, you ask them if they are ok."

We know that you have seen a lot of Giving Tuesday requests today.

We appreciate you sticking with us as we shared how our students and community brings kindness, light and 'change' to the world around them.

Prairie Hill’s goal is to raise $5,000 in 24 hours to support our vibrant Waldorf curriculum and our important, continuing work to shine kindness out into the world.

We are just under $2000 short from reaching our goal.

Will you help us by donating your 'change' to our efforts?

�There are no contribution too small.

Your change will make change!

Find the link to donate in our bio 💜

We asked: How do you help others? How do you serve

We asked: How do you help others? How do you serve your community? What do you do that makes a difference?

Grade 8: "As 8th graders, we are role models for the other younger students. We have grade buddies that we have built relationships with for the past three years." (and they take that job very seriously! <3)

Prairie Hill’s goal is to raise $5,000 in 24 hours to support our vibrant Waldorf curriculum and our important, continuing work to shine kindness out into the world.

Will you help us by donating to Prairie Hill on this Giving Tuesday?

Find the link to donate in our bio. 💜

#givingtuesday #prairiehillwaldorf #spreadingkindness #changeforchange

We asked: How do you make change in our community?

We asked: How do you make change in our community?

Grade 7: "By treating everyone with respect."

On this Giving Tuesday, we are asking students from each grade to share what kindness means to them, how they help others and make a difference in their community.

Prairie Hill’s goal is to raise $5,000 in 24 hours to support our vibrant Waldorf curriculum and our important, continuing work to shine kindness out into the world. We just under $2000 away from our goal; will you help us by donating to Prairie Hill on this Giving Tuesday?

Find the link to donate in our bio.

#givingtuesday #prairiehillwaldorf #spreadingkindness #changeforchange