Preschool - 8th Grade
Welcome!
Davis Waldorf Elementary School is recognized as one the area’s best private schools. Our school strives to develop creative, flexible thinkers by offering hands-on kinesthetic learning, which fosters students' emotional and social intelligence while also promoting strong academic performance. Starting with our Waldorf parent child classes, children then progress to our play- and nature-based preschools and kindergartens which feature spacious classrooms and large open playgrounds. Our lower school program engages our students physically, emotionally, and socially in order to lay a strong academic foundation. Our middle school program is academically rigorous with required classes in math, language arts, science, geography, history, Spanish, music, woodworking, handwork, gardening, drama, and physical education. Founded in 1986, we are located on five beautiful acres, three miles from downtown Davis. With our dedicated teachers and staff, small classes, individual student attention, and the strength of a Waldorf curriculum, children receive an academic experience that produces outstanding, well prepared young people.
At Davis Waldorf School, children love learning.
Inspired Learning for the Whole Child in Davis, CA (Northern California).
Annual Giving 2023
DWS cultivates meaningful relationships between our teachers and students, creating a supportive and engaging environment of Waldorf community members. Additionally, we strive, through our multicultural education, to teach respect and an understanding of diversity within our community and our world.
Enrollment for 2023 - 2024
Limited space in select grades available
Land Acknowledgement
We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which we are gathered. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
What is the appropriate pronunciation of each of the indigenous names?
- Patwin [PUTT-win]
- Cachil Dehe [CATCH-ill DEE-HEE]
- Kletsel Dehe [KLET-SELL DEE-HEE]
- Yocha Dehe [YO-chuh DEE-HEE]
- Wintun [WIN- tune]
Our Parent Child classes provide an opportunity to support your child’s development and make lasting connections with other families in a class facilitated by an experienced, caring teacher. Infant classes up to 9 months, toddler and nursery aged classes are available. Come experience a peaceful, home-like environment, where creative play and wonder are fostered.
Our preschool program serves children between the ages of two and a half and four years of age. We have two beautiful, fully-licensed classrooms, where each child is supported in their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Our "transitional," mixed-age kindergarten, allows children to form deep relationships with their teachers and peers as well as develop foundational skills to be successful in later learning. Outside, our large kindergarten yard provides ample space for a variety of play where children enjoy climbing trees, building teepees and exercising their boundless imaginations.
Waldorf curriculum unfolds throughout the stages of childhood development to provide a rich, dynamic, and varied education. In the grades classes, each student's day is filled with different experiences and activities which include movement, music, mathematics, composition, science, drama, storytelling, painting, and creating!
Into middle school, teaching methods evolve to meet the developmental stage of the class, and academic rigor and expectations continuously grow. The imaginative, multi-sensory approach of Waldorf education allows children to become active, enthusiastic participants in their own educational journey.
