Atop a redwood-adorned hill in beautiful coastal California, Santa Cruz Waldorf School is advancing a tradition of meaningful child-centered education. On first impressions and for years to follow, families are moved by the beauty of the campus, by the robust community life, and by the nurturing and fulfilling education that takes place upon that foundation. Santa Cruz Waldorf School is a place where imagination and wonder are honored and developed, and where a passion for learning is kindled in the heart of every child. Our curriculum is grounded in timeless developmental principles that combine academic rigor with joyful exploration and deep inquiry. As the students grow and learn, parents notice an ignited imagination and the emergence of tremendous focus in their children. In an environment of safety, trust, and strong relationships, our teachers place a steady emphasis on the development of social, emotional, and physical capacities in the children. Students feel a strong sense of belonging at the school, that they have a voice, and that they can make a difference in the world.
Classroom & Field Trips
Assisting the teacher in class, baking for class events, coordinating and chaperoning field trips, crafting for class plays and programs.
To be a chaperone, volunteers must complete the California State Mandated Reporter Training, as well as obtain a LIVESCAN 3 weeks before a field trip – as this takes a couple of weeks to process. Your LIVESCAN will last for the entire time you are parent at the school.
Please follow this link to begin the Mandated Reporter Training process: Intent to Volunteer Form
Please follow this link for: LIVESCAN
You do not need an appointment for the UPS store and for Santa Cruz Live Scan Inc.
Santa Cruz Live Scan, Inc. – 841 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Cabrillo College Livescan – 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
The UPS Store #0285 – 1840 41st Avenue; Ste. 102; Capitola, CA 95010
2.
Campus
Groundskeeping, gardening, care of animals, painting/ carpentry, donations of building and groundskeeping materials and helping to steward the land.
Festivals and events
Festival event coordinators, festival day volunteers.
Sign up HERE to volunteer
Committees
Family members may volunteer for the Family Association Council, the Marketing committee, the Finance committee, the School Board of Trustees, and a variety of others
Sign up HERE to volunteer
Financial Support
The Board of Trustees purposely sets the annual budget to provide opportunity for a wide base of community support through donations and event attendance.
No matter how parents choose to volunteer at the school, we appreciate any and all help that forwards our mission of building a strong community and nurturing a love of learning.
How to register for Aftercare:
First login to your Family Portal account
(Screen shot instructions can be found here.)
Choose Web Forms from the menu on the left hand side.
Choose SCWS Aftercare Registration Forms (center screen)
This will take you to a choice of 4 forms to complete:
Use these forms if your child will be attending on a regularly scheduled basis. Please return and update this form if the schedule for your child changes.
SCWS Weekly Kinder Aftercare
SCWS Weekly Grades Aftercare
Use these forms for occasional or unexpected aftercare needs or complimentary aftercare when attending meetings on campus or volunteering.
Please note a minimum of 24-hours notice to the office is also needed for any non-urgent drop in aftercare request.
SCWS Drop In Kinder Aftercare
SCWS Drop In Grades Aftercare
Please remember to hit Save before you exit.
The newly updated policies are outlined in the Family Handbook. Please refer to these for information about billing, requested notice for drop in aftercare, complementary aftercare and many other important details.
Annual Giving Campaign
The Annual Giving Campaign is the major fundraiser for Santa Cruz Waldorf School and the funds raised are essential to the day to day programming of the school. These funds cover the gap in the operating budget not covered by tuition and bridge the costs of educational materials, facilities renewal, and professional development for faculty. Each year, families, friends, alumni, and faculty come together to meet the financial needs of the school with meaningful and thoughtful gifts. We strive for full participation from all enrolled families and alumni to provide an extraordinary education to our enrolled students
Fundraisers on Campus
Smaller fundraisers during the year that support specific grades or local charities.
Classes learn about Mutual Aid and work to support local groups that help our Santa Cruz community. In recent years, we have held food drives to support our local Food Bank, coat drives to support Hope’s Closet, and campaigns to support our local Campesinx group.
Our 8th graders begin fundraising for their 8th grade trip in 7th grade when they provide food at our May Faire. During their final year at the school, they sell Drive for School tickets and popsicles to support their class trip.
Treasure Tree Gift Shop
The Treasure Tree Gift Shop has been providing families with thoughtful items that support a Waldorf education and lifestyle for more than 30 years. Treasure Tree is brimming with heirloom quality toys that inspire open and imaginative play, high quality art and handwork supplies, thoughtfully selected books for adults and children alike, sustainable housewares and many other delights. Our shop is a wonderful resource for bridging school life and home life and also a great way to support SCWS as all profits go back to the school.
For hours and shop updates please visit www.facebook.com/TreasureTreeShop
Treasure Tree Hours
*During school breaks the Treasure Tree will be open by appointment only*
Contact us at treasuretree@santacruzwaldorf.org or call 831-824-2164 to set up an appointment away from regular hours.
“At Waldorf, learning was fun and sparked my desire to keep learning”
“Waldorf gave me a strong understanding of who I am, what I appreciate about myself and other people.”
“From a young age, teachers give you space to be who you are and obtain strong sense of your personality.”
“In every class you are free to be creative and be an individual.”
“The Waldorf school fundamentally changed the way I navigate life. Daring to be different, embracing creativity, and truly living childhood are just a few of the many meaningful impacts that will follow me through life.”
“The school’s holistic approach to learning not only nurtured my academic discipline but also my empathy and cultural awareness, qualities that became central to my studies in Policy Analysis and Management.”
2190 Empire Grade Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
Aftercare 1-5:00 p.m.
(831) 425-0346
