Swallowtail Waldorf School

Mar 9th, 2022

Feb 20th, 2022

I don't see how a school can call themselves a Waldorf School unless all of their staff have completed the Rudolf Steiner Waldorf training or for that matter have at least a Bachelor's Degree. Obviously, this is true of this Oregon based school. My family were mostly schooled at Waldorf and the staff had true credentials. In review of Swallowtail we see that their lackadaisical attitude towards true Waldorf training is abhorrent. Hopefully, they will bring on qualified staff rather than "just get by" staff members. If you're truly interested in a true Waldorf School remember to review the staff and know what you are getting in to. It seems this is nothing more than a glorified child center. My opinion.
Nov 28th, 2021

Swallowtail has a great preschool and kindergarten program that my kids and I love! Students are surrounded by caring and loving friends, teachers and parents. Kids spend a lot of their time outside exploring the farm, picking (and tasting) grape from their play yard, and play make-believe after hearing their teacher telling a fairy tale. I particularly like that media and commercial cartoon figures are discouraged in school and family so that kids get to use their imagination. Also, the classrooms give me magical feelings every time I step inside. One more thing so special - my kid loves showing me the craft they are taught in school. Finger knitting using natural wool yarn, sewing bean bag toy, making beeswax lantern, wool toy made from wet-felting, and kneading bread dough (for real food to munch at snack time!). Very meaningful craft skills that kids can carry those through their lives!
Oct 22nd, 2022

Swallowtail changed our families life in a positive way. We have two children - a daughter who is now in 4th grade and a son in 7th. Our daughter has been at Swallowtail since 1st grade and has had a lovely experience. Outside of school it is constantly noted that she is an independent thinker, compassionate and creative - all things Swallowtail has helped her develop. Our son is Autistic and we kept him in a public school setting since he did require additional help that we worried Swallowtail couldnt provide. Then middle school years came and after much debate we moved him to Swallowtail, it has been the best choice we ever made for him. Going into the start of the 6th grade (his first year) his hand writing was unreadable, he didnt have a single friend, he needed constant breaks from the classroom and public school had truly made him feel inadequate. By the end of his first year at the school he was a completely different child. His hand writing is readable, hes not taking any breaks from class and he has so many friends!! When he missed a week of school due to illness his teacher reached out and said the children missed him and the classroom wasnt complete without him! Weve actually had multiple play dates this summer and Im crying even thinking about the difference one year made at Swallowtail. Leadership at the school has done an outstanding job, we are very happy with Jessica and Anna who work hard to communicate with families! Swallowtail does have its shortfalls, the biggest being diversity. I would love to see a more diverse student population, but I also understand the location of the school impacts this. I truly have nothing but positive things to say about Swallowtail, my only regret is not enrolling my children sooner!
Mar 5th, 2022