The Windrose Journal
A Waldorf Blog
The Windrose Journal is a grounded, thoughtful space where stories, reflections, and insights from the Waldorf School of DuPage community come together—past, present, and future. Like a compass rose, it helps orient families, educators, and alumni as we navigate the evolving world of Waldorf education and child development. Here, you’ll find a meaningful blend of tradition and innovation, sharing voices that illuminate the heart of our school. Whether you're seeking inspiration, perspective, or connection, The Windrose Journal offers guidance rooted in experience and purpose.
Main Lesson Books: Where Beauty Meets Deep Learning in Waldorf Education
Main Lesson Books serve as a dynamic record of each child’s academic journey. Rather than assessing learning solely through tests or quizzes, teachers can see how students internalize concepts through the work they produce. Every page offers insight into a child’s comprehension, reasoning, and ability to apply knowledge creatively.
The Power of Hands-On Learning: Reflections on Waldorf Education
As a Senior Software Engineer at Amazon Web Services, my work now revolves around solving complex real world problems through theoretical knowledge and practical implementation… The school gave me the mindset to approach challenges with curiosity and creativity. It encouraged me to deconstruct problems and figure out how things work—a mindset that was essential when I transitioned to high school and beyond.
Why We Chose Waldorf Education — An Open Letter
Waldorf schools often introduce academic content at a developmentally attuned pace, later in some areas than in many mainstream schools, but with much greater depth and integration.
The Waldorf Approach to Homework: Creating Space for Balance and Connection
Our approach to homework is grounded in a deep respect for the meaningful, rigorous work students engage in throughout the school day. Waldorf classrooms are alive with focused academic learning, artistic expression, and hands-on discovery. Students work hard with deep thinking, solving problems, creating, and collaborating. Because the school day is so rich and intentional, we believe that evenings should offer a different kind of nourishment: time for rest, unstructured play, and meaningful connection at home.
How Waldorf Teachers Assess Without Tests
In many educational systems, assessment boils down to answers: Was it right or wrong? In Waldorf education, teachers are interested in how a child is thinking. Did the child grasp the process behind the answer? Did they show perseverance? Are they developing creative or flexible thinking?
These are the qualities that fuel real-world success; and they don’t always show up on a test.
Handcrafted Learning: Waldorf Lessons are Built, Not Bought
In a world of scripted lesson plans, standardized tests, and pre-packaged curricula, it can be surprising to learn that Waldorf teachers build their lessons from scratch. But that’s exactly what makes Waldorf education feel so alive.
More Than a Teacher
When parents first hear that a Waldorf class teacher often stays with the same group of students for up to eight years (a practice called “looping”), they’re often amazed. “You mean they teach every subject?” Yes. And it goes even deeper than that.
The Long Game: How Waldorf’s Developmental Approach Delivers by 8th Grade
The studies are clear. Waldorf middle school students are significantly more likely to meet or exceed state standards in both ELA and math compared to their peers in local public and other charter schools.
Social Media & Mental Health: What Middle School Parents Should Know
While social media can be a tool for connection and support, it must be approached with care. The insights from Johns Hopkins experts strongly support what Waldorf educators and parents have long known: children need real-life experiences, deep sleep, and emotional presence to thrive.
By combining research-backed strategies with the protective structure of WSD’s media-free weekdays, parents can help their children build a lifelong, balanced relationship with technology — one that supports, rather than undermines, their mental health.
The Festival of Courage: A Celebration of Strength, Community & Growth
At first glance, The Festival of Courage may seem like a quaint harvest celebration from another time. In truth, it is a powerful, soul-stirring festival that speaks directly to what we — as parents, teachers, and members of a growing community — hope to nurture in our children: inner strength, courage, and the confidence to meet life’s challenges.