We're so excited that you're interested in the Acorn School! Below you'll find a list of our most frequently asked questions about Acorn School, Waldorf-inspired learning, and how we do things.
If you've got any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
We try to get back to everyone within one business day.
Our holistic enrichment program is inspired by Waldorf education. Waldorf is an educational approach that focuses on the holistic development of a child, incorporating intellectual, artistic, and practical activities. It was developed by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century and emphasizes creativity, imagination, and hands-on learning.
Our classes are “Waldorf-Inspired” as we are not trained Waldorf educators and some of our activities involve other educational approaches.
While there are traditional “enrichment” programs for academics. We like to call our enrichment “Head, Heart & Hand Enrichment” meaning we focus on rhythms of the season with songs, storytelling, crafts, art and free play all while fostering deep community relationships between our children and families.
Yes, we are an approved vendor for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Homeschooling families can utilize their educational funding through their ESA while participating in our program. You can use your funds directly through Classwallet for our classes.
No, drop-off is not available. Parents are required to stay and supervise their children during our classes. We have found this time connecting with other homeschool parents has been invaluable to our members. Parents love attending classes as much as their children.
During the weather allowing months Acorn School is a full nature/outdoor based program. We are currently operating out of a beautiful local farm in Gilbert, Arizona.
During the Arizona summer heat we operate out of Climbmax Rock Climbing Gym in Tempe, Arizona.
The educational experience at Acorn School is designed to be engaging, immersive, and aligned with the principles of Waldorf education. Our classes follow seasonally themed units, providing a rich curriculum taught using storytelling, art and handwork projects.
Yes! We currently have digital versions of our curriculum available on our curriculum site.
A Waldorf festival is a celebration or event that is organized within the Waldorf education community. These festivals are usually based on seasonal rhythms and traditions, and they play an important role in Waldorf schools and communities around the world.
Waldorf festivals often involve storytelling, music, crafts, and other activities that reflect the themes and values of Waldorf education. They provide an opportunity for students, teachers, and families to come together, connect with nature, and celebrate the changing seasons.
No, we do not teach traditional subjects to your children. Our enrichment program is what we have coined “Head, Heart & Hand Enrichment” we focus on enriching the lives of our students through songs, storytelling, art, crafts, free play and deep community connections. Seasonal themes are incorporated monthly and each weekly class has an individual subject that is studied through song, storytelling, craft & art.
20 students per class or less.
We encourage families to join our classes together. Younger siblings are more than welcome to attend and participate in activities like songs and games. Many of our students' mothers bring their babies and toddlers along, creating a family-friendly environment. So, you can definitely bring your other children with you to our classes.
Yes, we offer discounts for multiple classes and siblings.
Because our classes fill quickly, we have implemented a deposit-based waitlist system.
If you would like to sign up, please navigate to the Enrollment Page, select the class you want, and enter your child's information. From there, you will be prompted to enter a $25 sign-up fee to be put on our waitlist.
How our waitlist works:
We have a full guide for paying Acorn School through an ESA here.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us.
We love to celebrate our students' birthdays during the final class of each month. Our morning gathering transforms into a festive affair, as we crown and cape the birthday student(s), serenade them with cheerful songs, and create a lively birthday tunnel. Each student receives a special gift and blows out our birthday candle. To remember the special day, fellow classmates participate in crafting personalized pages, which are later bound into a cherished book. By the end of the class, each birthday student leaves with a heartwarming token of the memorable celebration shared with their Acorn School community.
We will have a few festivals open to the public this year, but typically festivals are for members only.
We offer both month-to-month and semester (3 months) based payment options.
No, we do not provide refunds. Please refer to our refund policy for more information.
