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Waldorf-style education lives on after school's dissolution By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Waldorf-style education continues locally despite the demise of the Waldorf School of the Rogue Valley here last year. More than 100 students were enrolled in Waldorf-style classes offered at several locations during the last school year. More students are expected this fall. Proponents hope to have a new school operating by fall 2002. Parents, teachers and students have pursued the educational style that blends art and academics, despite the pending legal dissolution of the Waldorf organization and the sale of a building on East Main Street to the Ashland School District. The school announced it would not offer classes in June 2000 after 21 years of operation. "We are trying to keep the movement alive until a school opens because there's so many parents committed to this style of education," said Karen O'Dougherty. A former public school teacher, she served as one of three learning guides for a class of first- and second-graders that met at the Church of God on Clay Street. A fifth-grade class and a combined sixth- and seventh-grade class also met at the Church of God. There were four Waldorf-style home preschools or kindergartens in Ashland last school year. In addition, former Waldorf students took advantage of Waldorf-style offerings at the Ashland School District's home schooling Community Learning Center at the school's former site. "Like any other thing we do, the teacher puts out a proposal and families sign up for what they want," said center director Debra Pew. She stressed that Waldorf classes weren't held at the school and that the teacher working with the students hadn't worked at the Waldorf school. This fall a sixth-grade class, a combined seventh- and eighth-grade class and a combined second- and third-grade class will continue at the Church of God. A fifth kindergarten/preschool group is expected to form. There's also a Waldorf kindergarten in Jacksonville. Two Waldorf-style offerings, one targeting fourth-graders and another for first- and second-graders, will be available at the learning center. "Parents put the classes together," said Judy Newton, who is acting chair of the old school as it dissolves and a member of the core group that seeks to found a new school. None of the offerings are affiliated with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, said Newton. They cannot use the Waldorf name. "Clay Street and kindergarten teachers and parents got together to figure out what teacher's salaries would be and what parents can afford and get to a number that can work for everybody," said O'Dougherty. Parents paid from $100 to $240 per month for their child's education. Learning center teachers are paid by the Ashland School District. Organizers plan to found a nonprofit organization and to seek affiliation with the national group later. Committees have been formed for finances, communication, curriculum, property acquisition and organization and administration. An offer on an undeveloped piece of property in the Phoenix area appears to have fallen through because adjoining neighbors won't agree to allow a school at the site, said Newton. She said the group seeks either developed or undeveloped property. Parents Susan and Oliver Logais have formed a foundation that is able to purchase property at this time. "We hope to be more centralized," said Newton. Students come from the Applegate and north end of the county as well as Ashland and Medford. The school would start in 2002 with at least a first-grade class and possibly a second-grade class, said Christine Crawley, who has been a Waldorf teacher for 25 years. "Judging by the children that are coming up (through kindergarten), we're looking at a good-sized class. " O'Dougherty puts effort into the Waldorf concept because she feels developmental steps that children go through drive it. "Schools are so busy with so many curriculums coming and going. Our curriculum is so solid," said O'Dougherty. "I was teaching 13 subjects to fourth- and fifth-graders. I said, 'I can't do this to my children.' " Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.