Slovenian Waldorf

(DD6- darling daughter age 6, DS11- darling son age 11, and DS8- darling son age 8)
It’s been 6 years since we made the decision to send our kids to a Waldorf school. We’ve had the benefit of many affirming moments to strengthen our initial decision. Who knew yet another Waldorf blessing would come from Ljubljana, Slovenia?
As I write this, my cousin is preparing a big move from St. Louis to Brussels where her children will be taught in Flemish. Our 1 day of school in a welcoming and familiar environment hardly compares. My prayers are with my cousin, because my children were very nervous getting ready for the day. I noticed DS11 and DS8 dressed exactly alike. Safety in a uniform?
We went to check in at the office, but the path we had taken the day before was occupied with a Eurhythmy class. Part of the hallway is portioned off with glass doors & a dance floor for a small studio. We watched awhile. It’s beautiful but sad because PHWS does not have Eurhythmy this year. The Ljubljana school has a full time and part time Eurhythmist.
We are here first for the 2nd grade play and decide to go directly to the meeting place- the first floor cafeteria/theater. The kitchen is in full swing, promising a hot lunch. A collection of medieval brick archways drape over the dining room and stage. Each class settles in. A young student goes to the kitchen and returns with a sandwich. I think how nice it is to have cafeteria ladies to dispense food by request. The littlest ones have hiked from the early childhood campus a few blocks away. They get bleacher seats- DD6 and DS8 are seated there too.
DS11 is brought to sit with 5th grade and re-introduced to “his” teacher and class. Oh the nerves! Blessed are the Waldorf teachers who work their magic and find the common grounds quickly. In about 10 minutes, the color has returned to DS11’s cheeks.
Second grade takes the stage; standing as cute as can be in pink, green and white tunics, flutes poised for song. There is also a crow, a lamb and a wolf…and some bunnies or maybe more sheep? I think we’re in for Aesop. It takes a long, long time for the noise to subside. We all agree later that PHWS has a better grip on reverence than this crowd.
They begin in the choral cadence we know and love of 2nd grade. They ring around the sheep, wave silks, play flutes and make their entrances and exits all in good form. It’s beautiful. Brett and I love the one choleric boy directing every scene from center stage.
DS8 & DS11 go on to their classrooms and DD6, Brett & I and the administrator sit down in the 11th grade coffee house. We are full of questions seated at a mosaic tiled table made by students. PHWS families will understand that my first question was about funding- how can they have all the amenities?
Well, it’s a state supported school. From the tradition of being a Socialist country, people assume education will be paid. Otherwise Waldorf education may not be a priority for Slovenian families. It also allows for a wider diversity of children to attend. Granted the majority of parents at the school are slightly better educated than average, they may or may not earn more than average. The school was established at the beginning of Slovenian independence- one of the first choices outside of the public system. They were at first criticized for many reasons…were they a religious cult? But now they are currently “in” with the support of the mayor, city council and several prominent citizens as parents in the school. Also the public system has adopted some Waldorf ideas and this has been publically acknowledged in the media.
Our hostess emphasizes “So, for now we are in. You can not tell what the future will bring. Much depends on the elected public official.”
Brett asks about the Anthroposophical community in the area. Strangely, it has never caught on. They do not have an Anthroposophical doctor, so a Holisitic M.D. mom in the school holds office hours once a week. The biodynamic farmers in the area keep to themselves and there are no study circles. She mentions that Anthroposophy is actually more popular in Croatia, however the school there is in an uncertain state at this time.
We talk for some time about the exchange program their school does with other schools. They send high school students to Waldorf high schools in other countries. At times the Slovenian school is charged the tuition at the other schools and other times not. She mentions a particular school in England as being the most expensive and the foreign students are made into a class of their own rather than integrated in with the English students.
She tells us the school has 7 board members. “We used to have a community-wide vote, but this was not in the best interest of the school.” Three of the board members are parents, 1 member from the city council, 2 faculty and 1 mentor faculty from another Waldorf school.
We talk about how PHWS is supported by tuition dollars, fundraising and appeals…mostly by parents.
“Yes, we have many parent hands at work here. We depend on our parents for our Christmas festival, 6 concerts and our restaurant day (the school is turned into a restaurant for the public). They have connections in the community we can not obtain alone. But it is so important that the parents do not take over the running of the school. This is not healthy. It is most important that the decisions are made with the long term success of the school in mind.”
I ask about the special needs students, they seem to be integrated into the classroom. Her answer reminds me that the Slovenian guide book warns that the Slovenians may sound blunt and unsympathetic. It is their culture to try to be as perfectly honest as possible.
“Yes, we have done this and it is not always good. Of course you feel sorry for the children and want to accept them into a class. But the parents may not have held the child to the standard that is expected in a classroom and a teacher may work very hard with constant distraction from this child. It is for now our way.”
Our time is up and the boys meet us with their own tales from the classroom. DS11 stood at the front of his class and fielded questions in English- “What does your teacher look like?” “What sports do you like to play?” “Do you play a musical instrument?” DS11 asked his own questions. I think he was thrilled to be back with kids his own age. This constant family time has been hard on him.
DS8 played a game in English. That’s all we know. He never says anything about school- even at home.
The boys are obviously relieved that the pressure is passed and they have come through unscathed. We are very grateful for the hospitality and insight. Our hostess points us to other schools that may welcome us on our journey- in Austria and Germany. DS11 and DS8 straighten up and smile.


By the way, photos are allowed at this school- even during the performance. One mother even asked if I could take some for her when she saw I had a camera. I had a difficult time deciding- knowing it was forbidden at our own school. I snapped a few without a flash and at a distance. I didn’t want children posing for the camera.