News
Highland Hall News
A Developmentally-Appropriate Curriculum In a Waldorf Middle School
The framework for Waldorf Pedagogy is formed on three stages of childhood development called Early, Middle, and Late which are very important to differentiate both for teachers as well as for parents. Each period spans approximately 7 years and coincides with various changes happening in the child’s body, mind, and spirit (or consciousness). Waldorf middle school (Grades 6–8) matches the emotional intensity […]
Imagination & Creative Play in a Waldorf Kindergarten
The young child engages with the world in a very different way than an adult. The order in which these children engage is Willing, then Feeling, and then Thinking. Therefore, the young child learns through doing, predominantly by imitation–observing and copying. In a Waldorf Preschool & Kindergarten, there are 7 essential practices when caring for our youngest children:
Theatre Production by 8th Grade Class
The 8th Grade Class presented its final play of the school year. Under the direction of their class teacher, the students presented the 1938 Pulitzer Prize winning play, “You Can’t Take It With You,” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The farce centers on themes of individuality and happiness while raising questions about conformity, materialism, and […]
5th Grade Participates in Pentathlon
The 5th Grade Pentathlon is the culmination of a year of studying the Greek games, and the history and mythology of Ancient Greece. Fifth Grade is considered the “golden” year of the grades, where the students are growing in abilities both in school and in physical education. The event, held on the beach at Corona Del Mar, San Diego, […]
Congrats to Middle School Volleyball Team
Please join us in congratulating our Middle School Girls Volleyball Team on an incredible season! The team finished the regular season undefeated with a perfect 5–0 record! They are officially Division Champions and represented Highland Hall in the SFVPSL playoffs! This is a truly outstanding accomplishment, and we are so proud of all their teamwork, growth, and […]
Finger-Knitting in Kindergarten
Finger-knitting in a Waldorf kindergarten is a cherished activity designed to develop dexterity, fine motor skills, and focus through a rhythmic process. Using yarn, children create simple single-chain stitches, sometimes described as “finger-crocheting,” to make items like belts or necklaces. The method involves a repetitive motion of pulling loops through each other to form a […]
Congratulations to Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to 8th-grader Lily Elms who placed second in our school’s Spelling Bee and went on to place second in the Community Bee with thirty-three students from other schools. As second place winner, Lily then competed in the Los Angeles County Regional Spelling Bee on March 18, 2026 and ended up in 15th place! Congratulations are […]
New 2026 Summer Camp Activities
This summer we are offering 3 Summer Camps with distinct activities based on your child’s age. Registration is by the week & older students can choose different activities each week which include co-ed volleyball, soccer, basketball, flag football, and games such as Dungeons & Dragons and chess. Younger students enjoy our farm & garden, arts & crafts and water play.
Acids & Bases in the High School
During their recent Chemistry block titled "Acids, Bases, and Salts," the 10th grade learned all about inorganic chemicals, and in this lab, they were able to visualize a neutralization reaction! This titration lab allows students to determine the concentration of an acid, using a base of known concentration and an indicator that turns hot pink once the neutralization has been achieved. This lab blends hands-on, visual work with mathematical analysis.
The 5th Grade Studies Egypt
During their study of Ancient Civilizations, the 5th Grade “journeyed” to Egypt where they created hieroglyphics and made a Mediterranean salad for lunch! The children studied the timeline and geography of ancient Egypt, learning about the history and design of the pyramids, the lives of the people, and their religion and mythology. They also created pyramids from […]
7th Grade Inorganic Chemistry Hands-on Learning
In 7th grade Inorganic Chemistry, they took their classroom to the garden to observe the Lime Cycle. They prepared the lime kiln for firing the marble or calcium carbonate. Next, the students layered charcoal and marble, and they fired up the kiln. At the end of the day, they revisited the kiln to observe the firing and the transformation of calcium […]
5th Grade Music Class
The 5th grade has successfully learned the basic mechanics of each of their wind instruments and is now learning to expand their range, learning new fingerings, and growing in strength and support. They are learning articulations and control of their volume and tone while working toward blending their sounds in ensemble playing.
4th Grade Woodworking Class
The 4th grade has been working on carving fish sculptures. The students are shaping basswood blocks into their visions of fish using a variety of tools such as carving knives, rasps, and files. The students first use the carving knives to shape their blocks into the basic form and then further refine them using rasps and files. This project is […]
1st Grade Class Play
The Water of Life, is a play adaptation of a Grimms' fairy tale that was written by Shivani Burrows-Goodwill and edited by the teacher to fit her first grade class. It follows individual journeys of three royal brothers who long to cure their father with the "Water of Life." Along the way, three dwarves who know the path discover what lies within each of the brothers' hearts.
No Ordinary Class Trip
The eighth grade spent 5 days in Washington D.C. on their class trip. The students experienced the living history of the United States through visits to the monuments and sights in and around the Capitol Mall. The group went on a tour of the Capitol building and visited several Smithsonian Museum locations. Another excursion brought them to the reenactment town of Historic Williamsburg. It will be an experience that will stay with these students for a lifetime!
