Our History

rws moses home
The impulse to offer Waldorf education to families in Richmond and to be a part of social change through educational and community endeavors has been a guiding light of our school since the first ideas for Waldorf education were kindled in 1985. These ideas sparked into effort when a Kindergarten class began in the home of John and Sara Moses in Richmond, Virginia. The Moses Family were involved in the early movement of Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education in the United States.

During the years that followed this first class, additional classes were taught, a Board of Trustees was established, and parent education classes on Waldorf education assembled, all of which helped guide the path to what we now know as Richmond Waldorf School.

  • Richmond Waldorf School History

    Though we count our school’s history with the opening of the 1996-1997 school year, we know that the foundational work that was lovingly started in 1985 contributed to the possibility of establishing a new school. It was like the seeds had been planted, roots taken hold, and the garden watched over. In 1996, the fruit began to grow and the doors to our school were opened.

    In September of 1996, a Kindergarten class of 14 children began on Laburnum Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, ending the year with about 20 children. This class was taught by Maria Butler. The school was called Spring Meadow Waldorf School.

  • 1997-1998

    The child count doubled and a second Kindergarten class was added.

  • 1998-1999

    An aftercare group began.

  • 1999-2000

    A 1st grade was added.

  • 2000-2001

    A third Kindergarten class was added.

  • 2001-2002

    The school grew to about 85 children; a 2nd and 3rd grade were added.

  • 2003-2004

    The school moved to Westover Hills Boulevard in Richmond, Virginia, and changed its name to Richmond Waldorf School. A 4th and 5th grade were added.

  • 2006-2007

    We celebrated 10 years! A 6th grade was added and we began our middle school years.

  • 2007-2008

    A parent/toddler class was added, a 7th grade was added, and our basketball team began.

  • 2008-2009

    We graduated our first 8th grade.

  • 2009-2010

    Our College of Teachers was formed.

  • 2010-2011

    Our Early Childhood Program was accepted as a Full Member in Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN).

  • 2013-2014

    Our soccer team began.

  • 2016-2017

    Through tremendous devotion and creativity of many teachers, families, and board members we celebrated 20 years!

    April 22, 2017: We purchased the school building at 1301 Robin Hood Road.

  • 2017-2018

    September 2017: We began our first school year in our new home.
    April 23, 2018: We celebrated our First Annual Dedication Day to commemorate a new beginning in our new home.

  • 2018-2019

    September 19, 2019: Waldorf education proudly marks its 100 Year Anniversary Celebration of the Opening of the 1st Waldorf School.

  • 2021-2022

    Celebrated 25 years since the founding of Richmond Waldorf School!

John_Moses

“There are many individuals, too many to list here, who have helped and nurtured the growth of Richmond Waldorf School, and I trust as it grows into welcoming the future, as decades pass, many will find that their time therein launched a life-long interest in learning how to learn on a path of education toward freedom.”

– John Moses, Founder of Richmond Waldorf School

If you would like to learn more about our John Moses or Maria Butler, or donate to Richmond Waldorf School in their honor, Legacy Circle has been created as an avenue to support the mission of RWS through memorial giving. These gifts help to grow our school in the areas these founding individuals were most passionate about. 

Richmond Waldorf School