About

History of Olympia Waldorf School  Inspired by an introductory lecture given by Elana Freeland in 1983, a handful of parents set to work to establish a Waldorf school in Olympia. In March 1985, the Olympia Waldorf Education Association was formed and was recognized by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). After gaining legal nonprofit status and adopting bylaws, Olympia Waldorf School opened its doors to 17 young children that fall.

The school added grades one by one until we graduated our first Grade 8 class in June 2000. Now, each spring we send out into the world a group of amazing young people. Our program has expanded to include a preschool, two kindergartens and eight grades.

Olympia Waldorf School’s Prairie Hall was formerly the home of the East Olympia School and was originally called the Chambers Prairie School. It was built in 1914, and opened its doors in 1916 to 38 students and two teachers in Grades 1 through 8. This homey, wooden building has been in continuous use as a school ever since. After five years of renting space, Olympia Waldorf School took a great step forward in 1990 and moved into this beloved historical site. In 1999, our community built a new Middle School building, and in 2007, we renovated and opened the Kinderhaus on adjacent property.