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Berkeley Rose (Berkeley, CA)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Rose (Berkeley, CA)

Editor Note: There is another Waldorf kindergarten with a similar name: Rose Kindergarten in El Sobrante

Oct 2012

Re: Considering Waldorf school for 5 year old
There is a lovely Waldorf school in central north Berkeley called Berkeley Rose. Two of my kids attended and they thrived there. Both just loved school. It's such a warm, magical and nurturing environment. If you are considering Waldorf, you should definitely check it out. Currently it's early child care through second grade. With the plan of adding a grade a year up to 8th. Their website is berkeleywaldorf.org Best Julieana

July 2012

Re: Looking for a Preschool with a Garden
You should visit Berkeley Rose School in North Berkeley/Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. Their website is:http://berkeleywaldorf.org/ We are in the midst of putting in a wonderful garden right outside the classroom in our new, permanent location on Cedar and Walnut. Berkeley Rose is a waldorf-inspired (seeking certification) preschool through 2nd grade school. The school will be growing a grade a year. My 4 1/2 year old twins attended the preschool last year and will be doing another year of preschool before kindergarten. I didn't know much about the Waldorf philosophy but have learned a lot and really believe in all of it! There are 2, 3, 4, and 5 day options for preschoolers and the regular time is half-day (8:30 - 12:30 with an option to attend the afternoon program if desired). I think Waldorf is a good fit for every child - they learn how to play, use their imagination, tell stories, sing songs, be outside, work with nature. Berkeley Rose is also lucky to have a wonderful preschool assistant teacher who is also the school's garden teacher, Willow Summer. She previously started and ran City Slicker Farms, an urban farm in Oakland. She is wonderful with both children and plants. There are several parents who drive from quite far away (Orinda, Lafayette, El Sobrante) to attend the school! A happy Berkeley Rose parent seh

Jan 2012

Re: Mid year openings for a 4 1/2 yr old in Berkeley?
There is a lovely school in central Berkeley named Berkeley Rose that has openings. Both of my children currently attend and are thriving. It's Waldorf inspired so the classrooms are beautiful. The teachers are extremely nurturing. Focus is on play, arts, the natural world around them and fostering their imaginations. There are 2, 3 and 5 day programs with options for aftercare. Their website is www.berkeleywaldorf.org A happy Mom

June 2011

Re: The new Waldorf-Inspired Charter in Oakland
Did you know there is another Waldorf school closer to you? Berkeley Rose School is expanding into the grades, growing a grade a year up to 8th grade. Beginning this Fall, Berkeley Rose will offer first grade in addition to preschool, kindergarten, and parent-tot programs. My son currently attends the school and my daughter will start in September. I am continually amazed and touched by the thoughtfulness, beauty, and love that he receives from the teachers and through the curriculum. I could go on about the art projects he brings home, the sweet songs and stories he learns at school, and the wholesome food that he enjoys. If you love Waldorf it would really be worth your time to look into Berkeley Rose. The website is www.berkeleywaldorf.org (and on their website is a link to a new Oakland Waldorf-inspired charter school that's located by the Oakland Zoo, which would be worth looking into as well). A Waldorf Parent

Jan 2011

Re: Oakland/Berkeley Preschools with Caring Teachers
I can whole heartedly recommend Berkeley Rose School. My son, 4, currently attends and my daughter will start this Fall. Berkeley Rose is a Waldorf-inspired school. Their approach is to offer its children a complete (''head, heart, and hands'') and loving approach to education. The teachers are nurturing and caring. The classrooms are warm and inviting, full of toys that inspire their play and encourage the development and use of their unique imaginations. There is much care given to the stories, songs, activities, art projects and even food offered to the children. They try to instill magic and wonder in the world around them and a strong awareness and appreciation for nature outdoors, and the individual nature of each child.

The school is currently located in the North Berkeley Hills but the plan is to move to a new location in the South Berkeley area this summer. They will be offering part-time & full time classes and after care for preschoolers. I also believe they'll have a summer program as well.

I suggest you visit their website to learn more about the school, http://www.berkeleywaldorf.org I would also be happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Julieana

Oct 2010

I am overwhelmed by all the great preschools options in the berkeley area. We are moving from the east coast which makes this process a lot harder. I will have one week to try and cram in as many tours as i can. Does anyone know how ''strict'' the berkeley rose school is with their media policy ella

You also ask about media policy at Berkeley Rose. My son just started this year to attend the Berkeley Rose school. After the first days of school I got to see a beautiful and remarkable change in his play and interaction with his peers and brother (he is calmer, his play is directed and full of imagination, he sings, he admires and looks for ''treasures'' in nature). I give full credit to the teachers for his emotional and social growth. They offer such a rich experience to the little ones, from the poems, songs, stories, puppet shows, nature walks, gardening, crafts, painting, all done in such a respectful and loving way! Regarding your question about media: It is a Waldorf-inspired school, therefore the families that attend are striving towards media-free environment. The handbook says ''We believe that children enrolled in our school should be given the gift of a media-free childhood''. As a parent I see how all the children can play together, sometimes inspired by the gentle story they just heard from the teacher; their imagination spans out in their alive play! The school has a wonderful and strong community (I also moved from NY and was overwhelmed with the choices out here). from a very, very happy parent
In your question about Monteverde Preschool you later asked about the media policy at Berkeley Rose. This is my son's second year attending Berkeley Rose. Last year we were new to Waldorf, and he had been watching some PBS shows. It was coming out a lot in his play the first year, and he had a hard time not regurgitating dialogue and stories made up by others. The teachers were tolerant, and knew we were working to wean him from media. It was surprising easy to cut out TV and movies all together (the Leap Frog took a little longer for him to forget). And wow, what a difference. His imaginative play, and ability to work with the other children to create fascinating stories and play alone (he's our only child) has just blossomed. People are amazed by his play and verbal skills. I attribute it all to the wisdom and teaching found in Waldorf philosophy and our school. ''Strict'' isn't really applicable at the school. They don't make you sign anything, it's just a given that parents who enroll their young children in Waldorf are going to find alternatives to media, as they believe it can negatively effect the developmental and emotional growth taking place during the years of birth to seven. Good luck in your search--there are many fabulous options in the East Bay! Berkeley Rose Mom
I am a parent of a child attending Berkeley Rose (www.berkeleywaldorf.org) and asked our lead teacher to respond to the inquiry of ''how strict the Berkeley Rose school is'' regarding media: ''We at Berkeley Rose wish to help our young children (ages 3 to 6) develop as creative, fully engaged individuals. We believe they should be given the gift of a media-free childhood. We are dedicated to nurturing the childrenC-s capacities for imagination, independent thinking, and positive action. We believe--and many studies suggest--that efforts to foster the young child's healthy emotional development and meaningful relationships with their environment are undermined by encounters with media. Encounters that separate the young child from authentic experience and promote a distorted, developmentally inappropriate, and consumerist view of the world. In order to help its students develop as creative, fully engaged individuals, Berkeley Rose is committed to helping (upon request) each family through the process of transitioning to a media-free environment. Being 'media-free' is a standard we hope to maintain through the understanding and cooperation of all Berkeley Rose families. It is not a 'rule' to be enforced by the faculty, but a tenet to be mutually shared by all of our families who have these ideas in common, and who strive to give a media-free environment to their children.'' I hope this answers your question. If not, feel free to let me know. Julieana
April 2010

I heard there's a new Waldorf school in Berkeley. I think it's called Berkeley Rose? Does anyone have information about or experience with the school? Berkeley Mom

I believe the school you're referring to is Berkeley Rose, a Waldorf-inspired school and parent-tot facilitator that's located near the Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood in the North Berkeley foothills. You can learn more about the school and expansion plans, which will go to grade 8 or higher in Berkeley, at www.berkeleywaldorf.com. I'm the parent of a son who attends the mixed-age kindergarten there and I couldn't be more pleased with his and our collective experience. I'm quoted in the school flyer as saying, ''The mindful, fun and loving lessons and care my son receives from the teachers at Berkeley Rose is helping him to blossom into a beautiful boy. It's not only a magical place for kids to learn and explore; it's also a solid community of thoughtful and supportive parents.'' It is truly amazing and I can't imagine my son in any other educational setting. From the way the children learn to explore to celebrate holidays and birthdays, I am constantly reminded of the joy, wonderment and small pleasures in life. I'm also doubly pleased about the adult and parent-child workshops they offer on weeknights and weekends, from gardening to crafting to bread-making to philosophical discussions. The school tuition is very affordable--an important factor for our family. I believe they still have some openings in the kindergarten and first grade classes. Andrea
My daughter attends the Waldorf-based mixed age kindergarten at the Berkeley Rose and we could not be happier!!! It is so wonderful to drop her off into the loving arms of her teachers and know that she will have a day filled with gardening, baking bread, making soup, singing songs and chasing chickens! The magic of the Berkeley Rose is that it is a place where my daughter's spirit and imagination is nurtured and encouraged. As a parent, I could not ask for much more. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the school. jess
Hi - Yes, there's a Waldorf school in North Berkeley! It opened last fall with a mixed- age kindergarden (ages 3-6). My daughter has been attending, and it's been wonderful on every level - fabulous teacher, great location, and a curriculum that honors the spirit of children. We're excited to be continuing there next year. There are plans in place to begin a grades program as well. I'd be happy to connect with anyone who is interested. You could also directly contact the school at berkeleywaldorf@gmail.com. Mary
My son attended the Berkeley Rose School this past year in their mixed-age kindergarten (http://www.berkeleywaldorf.com/ for more information). It is a Waldorf-inspired school that follows closely the Waldorf kindergarten model. We had a very positive experience and recommend the school highly to any one interested in Waldorf education for their children. The lead teacher (Miss Anita) is an experienced Waldorf kindergarten teacher and the administrators are dedicated and caring. Each day follows the same basic rhythmn with a different main activity each day (e.g. Monday-painting; Tuesday-gardening; etc.) which we found to be very supportive to our child. In addition, there were many activities to bring the parents together into a greater school community, which was wonderful for us and our child to extend those friendships outside of the school. John in Berkeley
Yes, as of Sep 2009, there is a new Waldorf school in north Berkeley, the Berkeley Rose. Right now it is a mixed age kindergarden but they are looking to expand into the grades as the children grow.

I have had a wonderful experience there. My child who always showed a lot of separation anxiety, had a very smooth transition as the teacher was so warm and loving. The days are spent in the beautiful garden, gardening, tending to the chickens, gathering eggs and playing with sand, and inside, painting, woodworking, cooking and of course playing with natural toys in a beautiful space.

The school offers beautiful seasonal activities and holiday celebrations like harvesting a pumpkin, lantern walk, advent spiral walk, growing wheat grass, felting eggs and chicks etc. On Fridays, the school offers an innovative program, a day in the hills, where the children spend all day outdoors rain or shine. Not only nature provides a wide range of opportunities for physical exploration and imaginative play, but the children develop a personal relationship with the natural world, a sense of reverence for the Earth. I forgot to add that the snacks are all homemade, nutritious and organic, and the children make their own sourdough bread and stone soup.

The school also cares about creating bonds among the families and the community by offering craft gatherings and classes and study groups.

We are very happy with the school! happy parent

Our son goes to the Berkeley Rose School and we love it. Our son has really blossomed at the school. It's amazing to see how much more aware he is now of the nature that surrounds him. At school they learn finger knitting, sewing, carving and bread making. The school has hike day every Friday which provides a wonderful outdoor experience to explore the mother earth. The teachers are truly loving, caring and been a great resource for us. We highly recommend anyone taking interest in the Berkeley Rose School. Tsering
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