Welcome to First Grade at Kimberton Waldorf School
A Transformative Journey Begins Here
First grade marks the start of a magical adventure in your child’s educational journey. It’s a year of discovery, creativity, and growth—designed to nurture the whole child while fostering confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Step into a World of Wonder: Where First Grade Sparks a Lifetime of Learning and Joy.
Why Choose Kimberton Waldorf for First Grade?
- Strong Relationships: A community-focused approach strengthens bonds between students, teachers, and peers.
- Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention to ensure every child thrives.
- Whole-Child Development: Our curriculum integrates intellectual, emotional, and physical growth.
- Hands-On Learning: Through music, arts, and outdoor play, children engage deeply with their lessons.
- Outdoor Exploration: Daily time in nature fosters a connection to the environment.
- Nutritious Meals: Organic, locally sourced food fuels young minds.
The First Grade Experience
Your child will step into a vibrant, nurturing environment where learning comes to life through stories, music, and hands-on activities. Guided by an experienced and dedicated teacher, first grade is the bridge to formal education, where children:
- Learn to read, write, and explore the magic of language through fairy tales and nature stories.
- Discover the beauty of numbers and math concepts through engaging, story-based lessons.
- Receive formal Eurythmy lessons in our beautiful studio.
- Express creativity through handwork, music, and art.
- Build a foundation for lifelong learning with movement, play, and relationship-building.
A Curriculum Designed to Inspire
At Kimberton Waldorf School, our first-grade curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to ignite a love of learning while nurturing creativity, curiosity, and foundational skills. Our holistic approach ensures that every child learns in a way that resonates with their natural rhythms and innate curiosity. Through story-based lessons and hands-on experiences, your child will:
Language Arts: Introduce consonants, vowels, and phonetic awareness through engaging fairy tales and nature stories. Students begin learning to read, write, and spell, progressing to short sentences, basic grammar, and guided reading by year-end.
Mathematics: Explore the qualities of numbers with hands-on activities that introduce addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Skip counting, odd and even numbers, and early problem-solving lay the groundwork for mathematical fluency.
Form Drawing: Build focus, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness through artistic exercises rooted in fairy tales and nature. These forms are a foundation for handwriting and geometric thinking.
Nature Study: Discover local flora and fauna through outdoor exploration and nature walks along French Creek. Seasonal storytelling and hands-on observation foster an appreciation for the natural world.
Music & Art: Cultivate creativity with singing, eurythmy, drawing, and handwork. In handwork, children learn skills like knitting, which develop patience, perseverance, and fine motor coordination while sparking pride in creating something with their own hands.
“As a parent, you always want to ensure your child has the best possible educational opportunities you can provide. The education and nurturing care our daughter has received has been amazing and engenders a profound sense of confidence to know we are in the right place!”
— Kevin T., Current First Grade Parent
Events to Look Forward To
- Rose Ceremony: A beautiful tradition where first graders are welcomed into the lower school by their senior buddies.
- Parent Evenings: Before the school year and throughout the school year, meet regularly with the class teacher and your fellow first grade parents to connect and grow together.
- Bridge Ceremony: A heartfelt moment marking your child’s transition to first grade.
- Grandparents and Special Friends Day: A morning in November spend where your child can invite special guests to join them in the classroom and participate in an assembly with grades 1-12. Parents are encouraged to attend the beautiful assembly.
- Additional assemblies that first grade participates in and parents are invited to: Michaelmas, Winter Advent assemblies, MLK Day, and more.
Learn More and Visit Us
We invite you to see our first-grade classroom in action and experience the Kimberton Waldorf difference. Schedule a tour or attend an upcoming event to learn how we nurture creativity, confidence, and connection.
Get Started Today
Enrollment for the 2024–2025 school year is now open. Spots are limited, so secure your child’s place in our transformative first-grade program. We understand the decision to move from kindergarten to first grade is significant. Let us answer your questions and guide you through this important step. Reach out to admissions@kimberton.org to start the conversation or apply today!
