Strategic Path

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Strategic Path Update – November 2025

Dear Richmond Waldorf School Community,

It was about a year ago that the 2030 Strategic Path, our school’s long-range plan, was finalized. Over the last 11 months we have taken many steps together along the path in direct support of the 3 themes as we grow and reach towards our school’s vision:

  • Theme 1: Seamless Learning
  • Theme 2: Vibrant Community Connections
  • Theme 3: Sustainable Growth & Well-being

Below are some of the results, or milestones, that express the positive impact made that moves us along the many pathways of the 2030 Strategic Path:

Theme 1: Seamless Learning 

Cultivate an inclusive learning environment that fosters the unique capacities of each child and ignites a lifelong love of learning.

PATHWAY
Increase flex elective course opportunities within the middle school program

MILESTONE
Eurythmy Teacher: This position has been posted for the 2026-2027 school year to bring back a eurythmy program to our school. Additionally, a grant application has been submitted to support the costs associated with training related to this position.

PATHWAY
Expand technology literacy and digital citizenship to prepare students for high school

MILESTONE
Computers: Additional computers have been purchased to meet varying needs of the school, including some of the technology needs of the middle school students.

PATHWAY
Expand current roles to provide adequate support needed to develop, execute, and maintain new extra-curricular opportunities

MILESTONE
Enrichment Coordinator: A job description has been drafted to post for an Enrichment Coordinator position to start in the summer of 2026. This position would oversee current and future extracurricular programming to include aftercare, athletics, camps, parent-child, and other programs.

PATHWAY
Review the early childhood and grades programs with a strong focus towards mission, the current student body, equity, and inclusion

MILESTONE
Curriculum Review: The October professional development day was primarily dedicated to priming ongoing work of curriculum review, with a focus on early childhood and special subject programs.

PATHWAY
Develop a continuum of support and services for the social, emotional, and academic needs of the students

MILESTONE
Educational Support: The Educational Support section was expanded to include 3 positions this school year: Literacy Specialist, Math Support Specialist, and Developmental Support Specialist.

Theme 2: Vibrant Community Connections

Build a thriving and inclusive community where collaboration strengthens connections and all members are valued.

PATHWAY
Partner with the Parents Association and College to refine our volunteer expectations for families that is authentic and meaningful

MILESTONE
Parent Association (PA) and College: Volunteer expectation feedback was collected from the PA officers, PA class representatives, and College members.

PATHWAY
Formalize partnerships with businesses and organizations, with an emphasis on the Northside area of Richmond, that share common values with the school

MILESTONE
Donations: In partnership with local non-profit organizations, food and clothing collections have been completed and donated.

Partnerships: The development committee has initiated research in order to launch a partnership level opportunity for businesses and organizations.

PATHWAY
Dedicate at least one community work day to partner with outside organizations each year

MILESTONE
Community Service: Connections have been made with several local organizations with one committed to partnering with us for a service opportunity during our next professional development day.

Theme 3: Sustainable Growth & Well-being

With harmony and with practical application, ensure the school’s long-term viability and the well-being of all members of the school community.

PATHWAY
Formalize the professional development (PD) requirements of employees, and allow budget and time for employees to seek out PDs that are specific to their own growth

MILESTONE
Professional Development: There has been a significant increase in employees seeking out and requesting funding for professional development opportunities that are specific to their own growth. Some examples include early childhood assistant training for Waldorf schools, human resource courses, advancement and fundraising courses, Waldorf extra lesson certification, and supporting neurodiverse learners seminars.

PATHWAY
Address critical facility gaps with solutions that will not conflict with a future master site plan

MILESTONE
Campus Improvements: From HVAC to playscape, most of the intended uses of the Employee Retention Credit funds support the enhancement of the school campus.

PATHWAY
Identify opportunities to offer practicum/student teaching opportunities for college students

MILESTONE
Universities: Initial connections have been made with the VCU School of Education. We continue to offer practicum time for VCU Fellows residing at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children.

PATHWAY
Formalize a program for on-boarding new faculty and staff members

MILESTONE
Human Resources Coordinator: This position’s responsibilities have continued to be refined and bolstered with support to improve upon the onboarding process for new employees.

PATHWAY
Improve communication among realms through shared agreements, reciprocal sharing, and a clear understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities, and ways of working

MILESTONE
Co-Governance: The commitment of the board and college to co-create a governance manual demonstrates a desire to deepen collaborative and generative governance.

The goal statements under each theme in the tables above provide a shared view of the future and inspiration as we walk along the different pathways. Some work will naturally take longer on this 5-year journey than others. In the next 2030 Strategic Path update that will come out in the spring I will elaborate upon some of the anticipated timelines for certain pathways and opportunities to get involved. 

 

It is with joy and gratitude that I walk this path with you.

Together We Serve,

Andrew Ross

Andrew Ross,
Executive Director

handwork class - learning to knit at Richmond Waldorf School

Strategic Path Update – June 2025

 

Dear Richmond Waldorf School Community,

I have the esteemed pleasure of standing at the crosswalk next to the Early Childhood drop off location in the mornings each day. There are so many stories I could tell from these experiences as our families make their way on to our campus. One thing that I see regularly that stands out is observing so many of our grade school students waving at their former early childhood teachers as they circle the corner to make their way to the back wooden gate for their drop off. The path that our teachers form for our students is one they walk for many years with an advocate walking with them along the way.

The steadiness that comes to mind when I think of this long-term student-teacher relationship reminds me of how important it is to remain focused on the sustained influence and impact of our collective efforts. Being in community with one another requires a measure of vulnerability and attention to growth. Collectively, during the almost 2 years previous to the setting of our long-range strategic plan, we spent time in deep reflection as a community to see where we needed to go as a school over the next 5 years.

Our first steps for the 2030 Strategic Path, our long-range plan, have been taken!

We stepped forward together into some courageous goals that will mark our school for many years to come.

  • We have started into the development of a masterplan to consider the renovation and expansion of our campus to better meet the needs of our programs. With so many different ways in which we utilize our space, it remains essential that we receive feedback from all the realms of our school in order to make fully informed decisions. 
RWS-classroom-still
  • The curriculum, which our teachers bring to life each day, is being reviewed by a dedicated committee with a mindset towards the renewal of how we bring Waldorf education in the best possible way to our students that enter our classrooms. This committee has been meeting weekly throughout the school year to review our grades curriculum and are beginning to review the early childhood and specialty subject curricula. These essential documents will be supportive to our teachers, whether they have been with us for 15 years or 15 minutes. Supporting our teachers throughout their journey is part of our strategic work towards retention and needed recruitment.
handwork class - learning to knit at Richmond Waldorf School
  • Building vibrant community connections begins with commitment. Working closely with one of our community partners, Community Foundation, the school has created a Community Commitment Statement. This statement found below is a marker in the path towards mapping out who we will partner with in service of the Richmond community:

At Richmond Waldorf School, our commitment to the community is centered on fostering meaningful connections, enhancing student learning through real-world experiences, and strengthening partnerships with families and the wider community. With a focus on the Northside of Richmond, we aim to cultivate a sense of belonging, collaboration, and mutual purpose that aligns with our Waldorf values – to help ensure that every service interaction enriches both our students and the communities we serve.

These initial steps of progress on our 2030 Strategic Path are examples of a wider effort to continue this work together. Many committees and employees have established professional goals that move us further down the path. These milestones of progress will be further laid out on the school’s website by our next update in the fall. 

How to move our pathways forward comes from innovative ideas, some that are still being developed. If you have an idea that you would like to share that requires a measure of funding to make it happen, I would encourage you to submit a short application for our Innovation Funds. These funds will be awarded to projects that directly support the 2030 Strategic Path. Applications can be submitted by any member of the RWS community. 

Though there are many people to thank that have contributed to the development and successful launch of our long-range plan, there is none like Heather Simon that has championed this work for nearly 3 years as a board member and parent in this community. Please join me in extending your gratitude to her in all her work to care and love for the school we all enjoy. Her humble and dedicated focus to see this path is a great testament to us all as we seek to leave a lasting legacy on this community.

Together We Serve,

Andrew Ross,
Director of Administration

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At Richmond Waldorf School, we recognize that our student’s physical, social, and emotional well-being are a key part of their ability to learn and thrive. We look forward to meeting you and sharing more information about Waldorf education!

Alexandra Mazeres
Director of Enrollment & Development
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

Richmond Waldorf School