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User:Antapodosis/Hawthorne Valley School

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Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School
Address
327 Route 21C

,
United States
Information
TypeCo-ed, Private, Waldorf school
Religious affiliation(s)None
Established1973
AdministratorCaroline Geisler
Faculty30
Enrollment240
Student to teacher ratio8:1
CampusRural, 400 acres
Color(s)Red and blue
AthleticsVarsity and modified teams
Websitewww.hawthornevalleyschool.org

Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School (HVWS) is an independent co-ed Waldorf day school set in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains on 400 acres of fields, farmland, and rolling hills in Ghent, Columbia County, New York. HVWS offers classes from prekindergarten through grade 12. The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.

Founded in 1973, HVWS is one of the oldest and largest of the approximately 170 independent Waldorf schools in North America (there are about 1,000 such schools worldwide). The first high school class of HVWS graduated in 1983.

The high school has an active boarding program for students from other schools worldwide. It currently enrolls students from Afghanistan, Canada, China, several European nations, and Mexico.

Curriculum

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The school follows an interdisciplinary approach based on the Waldorf curriculum, with a strong emphasis on English, math, and science skills and on art, music, and intercultural understanding. The high school curriculum is college preparatory.

Situated on a thriving organic biodynamic farm, all grades at HVWS have classes that integrate farm science (biology, economics, nutrition) with their curriculum. In 3rd and 9th grade, HVWS students spend a week directly learning at the farm.

The lower school offers the EARTH program for students who might not thrive in a traditional classroom environment. The EARTH program combines a land-based and classroom curriculum.

Events

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The school's annual public events include the following:

  • The Fall Farm Festival (the second Sunday of October)
  • The Yuletide Fair (the first Saturday of December)
  • The Spring Fair and May Day Celebration (the first Saturday of May)

Athletics

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HVWS competes with public and private schools in cross-country, volleyball, and basketball. It also fields club soccer teams for boys and girls.

  • In 2008, the HVWS varsity cross-country team won the New York State Class D cross-country championship.
  • In 2009, the HVWS varsity cross-country team finished third in the New York State Class D cross-country championship.

Larger community

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HVWS is a branch of the Hawthorne Valley Association, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to social renewal through education, agriculture, and the arts.

Hawthorne Valley Association is one of the largest employers in Columbia County, New York. Its other branches and initiatives include:

See also

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Category:Educational institutions established in 1973 Category:Private schools in New York (state) Category:Student exchange Category:Waldorf schools