Peace Valley Charter School

Do you have an upcoming first grader and would like to get more information about Waldorf first grade? Come to our informational meeting being held Saturday, August 19th from 10:00am-11:00am.

You'll be able to hear from first grade teacher, Ms. Chiang. Children will be able to experience hearing a story from first grade teacher, Ms. Power, and make something with beeswax. So make sure to bring your child with you.

What does 6th grade at Peace Valley look like?

“As a Modern Day Knight I will strive to champion
what is right, what is good and what is true.
I will help others when I can.
I will strive to be kind in word and deed.
I will do all I can to develop my mind, body and spirit
so that I might help make the world a better place.”

Sixth grade is a transformational year for the students. As they enter their middle school years they leave behind their dreamy childhood consciousness and begin to enter the onset of adolescence. The sixth grade curriculum mirrors this transformation with content that is factual and grounded in the world while at the same time staying relevant and connected to the child. Science plays a large part in the sixth grade curriculum as the students study geology, astronomy, and are introduced to physics through acoustics, optics, thermodynamics, magnetism, and electricity. In math students study geometry, learning how to use a compass, protractor, and straightedge to complete some complex constructions. Students also study business math, preparing them for algebra in the upcoming years, by using formulas and other mathematical concepts in a very practical manner. History and geography bring a global perspective through the study of South American geography, and the history of Rome and the Middle Ages. The year concludes with a knighting ceremony where the efforts, accomplishments, and growth of each student are honored and celebrated.

https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/application

What does 5th grade at Peace Valley look like?

The heart of the fifth grade curriculum was our sweeping tour through the mythologies and cultures of ancient civilizations. We began in ancient India, then moved to experiencing the cultural impulses of ancient Persia, Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, and Greece. For each culture, we focused on building an understanding of how the people experienced life and the world around them, and how their ideas and beliefs set them apart from other ancient societies.

In our study of botany, we took a tour through the world of plants, starting with the simplest and most ancient and ending with the magnificent profusion of flowering plants. Students learned about the plant processes and discussed the myriad of ways that plants make planet Earth into a hospitable home for animals and human beings.

The fifth-grade study of mathematics has two aspects—a continuation of fractions into decimal fractions, and the introduction of geometry. In this grade we look to find attributes and commonalities between geometric shapes and the world around us.

Our North American history and geography blocks focused mainly on the different regions of the United States. We talked about the colonial history of the U.S., the main geographical features of the continent, and how the climate, terrain, and natural resources of each region influenced the local people’s way of life.

What does 4th grade at Peace Valley look like?

The fourth grader has growing interests in more concrete areas of knowledge and is looking for opportunities to be more independent in their work. Individually, the children need to find a new relationship to their work, to their peers, and teachers.

The narrative content of the fourth grade lessons are aimed to respond to this need by offering stories in which a multiplicity of personalities contributes to the social whole (e.g., stories of the Norse Gods). The adventure-filled stories of Norse Mythology helped to harness the students’ excitement and channel it towards developing in themselves the different traits of the Norse gods.

Our other main lesson blocks strived to meet the students as well. Local geography blocks helped guide the children to finding a more independent yet interconnected place in the world. Separation, while still being part of a whole, was experienced throughout the year in fractions. The human and animal blocks helped the children discover the difference between the three-fold human being who is a generalist and is able to create for his/herself vs. the animals that are specialized. All of our blocks were interwoven to provide a balance and foundation for the emerging independence of the fourth grader.

What does 3rd grade at Peace Valley look like?

Third grade is a year full of hands-on and practical life activities. The students cooked on a weekly basis, dyed cotton and created looms to weave the yarn into beautiful tapestries, and created shelters. The third grade year gives the students the confidence that they can use what is around them to thrive!

What does 2nd grade at Peace Valley look like?

In this grade, the students study animal fables. Traditional fables hold a rich source of wisdom about human nature and the world. There, human traits are exaggerated in the brave lion, the timorous mouse, the pokey turtle, the clever fox, and so on. The children can see themselves and their classmates through the antics of the animal kingdom and learn valuable lessons about life.

What does 1st grade at Peace Valley look like?

Children learn through story and building images that embody the letter or number they are learning. After sleeping on it and recalling it the next day they then put the image into their main lesson books. Each day building on the next and building on their recall and knowledge. Building main lesson books that are filled with lasting memories and beauty!

The children’s form drawings begin with the straight and curved line and build to help them learn about the world around them beginning with the whole and going to the part. They see these forms as they begin drawing and forming letters and numbers.

Our math gnomes help us to learn about the four processes through the adventures in “Numberland.”

What does kindergarten at Peace Valley look like?

As a Waldorf charter school, Peace Valley's educational approach begins with Rudolf Steiner's Developmental Phases of Childhood. Kindergarten meets the child at the First Developmental Stage, birth to seven years, during which a child’s primary developmental focus is growing the body and experiencing the physical world. We strive to make that world beautiful and inviting by making the Waldorf kindergarten a place of rhythm, imagination, social learning, reverence, creativity, movement, stories, and song. This is the beginning of developing the capacities of the ‘head, the heart, and the hands:’ hearts touched by warmth and beauty, hands and limbs freed to explore and grow in strength, and curious minds awakening to imagination and wonder.

In a Waldorf kindergarten, movement journey circles are a large part of our curriculum. Through song, verse, and movement activities, we give particular attention to the development of fine and gross motor skills, as well as rhythm and speech.

"The circle includes rich, pictorial language, rhythmic movement and imagination to delight and strengthen the growing child. It strengthens memory forces and spatial awareness, as well as healthy brain development." Emerson Waldorf School

Come see what our students have been working on this year during our Art Gallery Walk. Take a stroll through the halls to see drawings, watercolor paintings, beeswax sculptures, weavings, handwork projects, and more. The Gallery Walk will be happening all this week from 8:30am-9:15am and 2:30-3:15pm (no afternoon walk on Thursday). We hope to see you here!

“Our Lady Spring is dressed in green and wears a primrose crown
and tiny baby buds and twigs are clinging to her gown.
The sun shines bright when she laughs at all
and when she cries the raindrops fall.”

The AM/PM Kindergarten classes have been hard at work, preparing for Spring’s glorious coming. We wove Spring baskets ad dyed eggs with natural dyes such as turmeric, beets, and purple cabbage. We also included tiny pine cone bees and finger knitted snails.

Our lottery is open for two more weeks! Apply today for the 2023-2024 academic year.

We believe education can be different. We believe in educating the whole child. Peace Valley Charter School is a tuition-free K-8 public Waldorf school, integrating academics, arts, nature, and social responsibility into our curriculum. Give your child an education that embraces the wonder of childhood and enlivens their curiosity for the world.

The application can be found here: https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/lottery

Peace Valley Charter School Boise's only public Waldorf charter school. We serve grades K - 8, blending the standard common core of public schools with Waldorf curriculum.

Our 3rd grade is learning about fibers and textiles. Students are learning to weave on their looms with yarn that was dyed with natural colors from beets, carrots, onion skins, red cabbage, and more.

Are you interested in learning more about Peace Valley Charter School and Waldorf education? We welcome you to come see our school! Tours are given every Wednesday at 9:30am - no need to register, you can just show up at the front office.

Happy Chinese New Year! Our students learned that this is the year of the rabbit. They got to listen to stories about Chinese New Year in their classes and participate by paper cutting the symbol for "Spring."

Our lottery is open! Apply today for the 2023-2024 school year. The application can be found here: https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/lottery. Anyone with K-8th grade children is invited to apply.

Due to today's inclement weather, school at Peace Valley Charter School has been cancelled. We hope you are able to enjoy a safe snow day at home.

Only 4 days until our annual Winter Faire! This magical event for the whole family is open to everyone and admission is free. Shop local vendors and enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, crafts, and more!

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/winter-faire

CALLING ALL VENDORS! We are looking for vendors and artisans to participate in our upcoming Winter Faire to be held on December 10th. Come showcase your homemade, hand-crafted products while supporting Peace Valley Charter School. For more details and to get the application, visit our website: https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/winter-faire

Peace Valley Charter School was featured on KTVB's Idaho Today program. You can learn more about our school and the Waldorf curriculum by watching the segment here:

Idaho Today: Peace Valley Charter School Sponsored by Peace Valley Charter School. Waldorf schools teach practical skills which Peace Valley Charter School is a part of and available in the Treasure Valley!

Ms. Hallock's 3rd grade class took a field trip to Cabalo's Orchard and Gardens, where they got to experience apple picking and feeding the turkeys on the farm.

The first graders have been working on their stitching skills in handwork: understanding the front and back of their work, threading a needle, tying knots, tension, stitch length, composition and design. Here we have taken our golden wool and embroidered flowers to honor the last few days of bright sun and the seeds of love we carry within us. Into these little pouches, we will place a sunflower seed to plant in our own gardens.

“Now I have my sword of light, so that I may do what is good and right. I will never use it for some silly quarrel or fight. I will protect those weaker than I, I will cast away all that is not good I will always try!”

For the Festival of Courage, the Mountain Bluebird and Mighty Oaks Kindergarten classes worked hard sanding and painting their swords of light. They dyed their capes a golden hue, from starlight delivered by the knight Michael. And they made dragon breads on baking day.

“Farmer John, Farmer true, here is a basket of wool for you! Won’t you help our hands to weave, won’t you help us make a blanket please!”

Our AM and PM kindergarten classes have been weaving mini blankets, and oh how lovely these little blankets turned out.

The 3rd Grade studied money as part of a math block. They were introduced to basic economics by making items to sell. They used play money but got to keep what they purchased—lessons in making change, setting a price, and spending wisely were results from the experience. No buyer's remorse and a ton of fun!

Ms. Dean's 1st grade class celebrated Easter last week by making watercolor painted "eggs." Students used red and yellow while painting, allowing them to mix the colors and discover a beautiful orange!

The third grade students spent time studying and discussing all sorts of different homes created by early humans, who used the materials they found around them for their shelters.

Through this study, students were led through the exercise of choosing a shelter, drawing a plan, creating a supply list, and constructing their own 3D model version of it using any imaginative combination of natural materials.

Each morning, students in second grade have an opportunity to play, socialize, and create. Look at a few of the amazing structures our second graders have built together!

Ms. Clark's second grade class worked on their sewing skills and made envelopes to hold all of their cards they got for Valentine's Day.

Both 5th grade classes went on a field trip to Bogus Basin. Students were able to learn how snowshoe as well as attend Bogus Basin Snow School. This program supports our 5th grade Botany blocks through the exploration of coniferous trees native to
Idaho (Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir) as well as opportunities to
identify moss and lichen, which we previously studied.

Learn more about what a Waldorf school is from this article in U.S. News & World Report.

What is a Waldorf School? Immersive learning and a focus on the whole child are the hallmarks of Waldorf education.

Last chance to apply for the 2022-2023 academic year! The deadline is February 17th at 1pm.

We believe education can be different. We believe in educating the whole child. Peace Valley Charter School is a tuition-free K-8 public Waldorf school, integrating academics, arts, nature, and social responsibility into our curriculum. Give your child an education that embraces the wonder of childhood and enlivens their curiosity for the world.

The application can be found here: https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/enrolling-at-peace-valley.

Mrs. Golden's third grade class is learning about long division.

Both of Peace Valley's third grade classes take a walk to the park every Wednesday. Free play helps to develop a healthy social life.

Our lottery is open for three more weeks! Apply today for the 2022-2023 academic year.

We believe education can be different. We believe in educating the whole child. Peace Valley Charter School is a tuition-free K-8 public Waldorf school, integrating academics, arts, nature, and social responsibility into our curriculum. Give your child an education that embraces the wonder of childhood and enlivens their curiosity for the world.

The application can be found here: https://www.peacevalleycharter.org/enrolling-at-peace-valley.

❄"Thumb in the thumb place, fingers all together, that's what we do in mitten weather."❄

After hearing the well-loved story "The Mitten," our morning and afternoon kindergarteners are hard at work sewing mittens for our school's annual giving gala.

Handwork helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, patience and focus, and of course it is fun too!

It's the day of the dance! You can still get your tickets at the front desk by 1 PM today. Festivities start at 5:30 PM.

Two more days to get your tickets for a night of learning, fun, food and friends! All for a great cause. Tickets available at the front desk!**This event is best suited for adults and kids aged 5th grade and up. With questions please contact Ms. Hope Decuir or Ms. Ruth Bucklin via the school at 208-205-8818!**

This Friday, April 23rd! **This event is geared toward adults. We wish all ages could come, but it’s really more for older grades and a fun date night for adults.** 5th grade and up welcome to join their parents! Get tickets and join a fabulous evening of swing dance lessons, an 8th grade presentation, food, and fun. Tickets available at the front desk!