SFWHS History

San Francisco Waldorf School was founded in 1979 as part of an 85-year tradition of Waldorf education.

After a period of growth, the decision was made to expand the school to include a high school. San Francisco Waldorf High School opened its doors in the fall of 1997, and graduated its first senior class in June 2001.

San Francisco Waldorf High School, which started in temporary quarters at Fort Mason Center along the water of the San Francisco Bay, moved to 245 Valencia in July of 2000.

In August of 2007, SFWHS moved to its permanent home at 470 West Portal Avenue, near Stern Grove. As a result of this historic move, the school will be able to expand its student body, facilities, and program offerings. For more on the future of San Francisco Waldorf High School, visit the New Campus page.

History of Waldorf Education

Waldorf education is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner, a leading early twentieth-century philosopher and scientist.

Rudolf Steiner

The first Waldorf School was begun in Stuttgart, Germany in 1919, with the mission to educate students using an approach that would foster independent thought and a sense of personal responsibility.

The curriculum Steiner designed is based on a thorough study of child development, so that the subjects taught meet not only the cognitive developmental needs of the students, but also their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Continuing to work with Rudolf Steiner’s ideas, many Waldorf schools have been established since 1919. Now there are over a thousand Waldorf schools around the world, each operating independently, but held together by a common understanding of human development and a recognition of the value of artistic work and meaningful social interaction.